After hitting a deer in Southeast Ohio, get to a safe spot, check that everyone is okay, photograph the damage and do not drive the vehicle if it is leaking fluid, overheating or has broken lights. Then have it inspected, because deer strikes often damage the radiator, A/C condenser, headlamps and front structure behind a bumper that looks only cracked. Don Wood's Athens Collision Repair can arrange towing, work with your insurer and repair the body, structure, mechanical systems and paint in one shop.
Definition. Deer collision repair is the repair of damage caused when a vehicle strikes a deer, typically involving the bumper, grille, headlamps, hood, fenders, cooling and A/C components and, in harder hits, the front structure.
The wooded corridors, farm edges and two-lane roads around Athens, The Plains, Nelsonville, Glouster, Albany and Coolville make deer strikes a fact of life for Southeast Ohio drivers, especially around dusk and dawn in the fall. When it happens, a calm sequence of steps protects you and makes the repair easier.
Do not drive the vehicle if fluid is leaking, the temperature gauge is climbing, a headlamp is out, the hood will not latch or the car pulls hard. Call Athens Collision Repair at 740-589-3636. The shop keeps a complete list of reliable tow companies in the area and can arrange your tow, store your vehicle and repair it to pre-collision condition.
You can bring the vehicle directly to the shop without waiting for insurance approval. Getting it inspected quickly means the damage is assessed sooner and the team can start coordinating with your insurer.
A deer hit is different from a parking lot ding. The animal is heavy, the impact usually happens at road speed and the force is concentrated on the front of the vehicle. The cracked bumper cover you see from the driver's seat is often only the outer layer of the damage.
| Area | Common damage | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper and grille | Cracked cover, broken grille, bent reinforcement | The reinforcement manages impact energy in the next collision |
| Headlamps and fog lamps | Cracked lenses, broken mounting tabs | Lighting is critical on dark rural roads |
| Hood and fenders | Dents, misaligned gaps, damaged latch | A hood that does not latch is a safety risk |
| Radiator and A/C condenser | Crushed fins, leaks, damaged supports | Leaks can lead to overheating and lost A/C |
| Front structure | Bent core support or rails in harder hits | Structure affects fit, safety and handling |
Side strikes, where a deer runs into a door or quarter panel, can also damage mirrors, door skins and glass. Athens Collision Repair repairs front ends, rear ends, side doors and damage from virtually any angle, and technicians inspect each vehicle for both visible and hidden damage before repairs begin. Learn more about auto body repair.
Because so much of the damage sits behind the bumper, an in-person inspection is the best way to see the full scope after a deer strike, even when the vehicle can still be driven to the shop.
Many drivers limp home after a deer strike because the vehicle still runs. That can be misleading. A radiator or condenser can be punctured and leak slowly, and the problem may not show up until the engine overheats on the next drive. A bent core support or rail can change how the hood, fenders and headlamps line up, even if the car seems to drive normally.
Athens Collision Repair's mechanical repair services include the cooling system and A/C repair, along with steering and suspension, alignments, driveline and brakes. Technicians inspect the radiator, hoses and other cooling parts, and diagnose A/C problems such as refrigerant leaks or component failures, so the repair covers what the impact actually damaged.
If a hard hit moved the front structure, the vehicle is measured and straightened on a Chassis Liner frame rack with the Chief Velocity computerized laser measuring system. Full-color reports before, during and after the repair show the damage and confirm the structure is back within manufacturer specifications. Learn more about frame straightening.
When panels and components come off, it is common to find more damage than the first estimate could see. The shop documents those findings, updates the estimate and communicates directly with your insurance company so nothing is missed.
A car that starts and idles in the shoulder of a two lane road can still have a cracked condenser or a bent reinforcement bar. Those parts sit behind the bumper cover, so they are checked once the front end is opened up, and anything damaged is written into the estimate before reassembly.
Southeast Ohio's rural roads are dark, and many deer strikes happen at night. That makes lighting one of the most important parts of a deer collision repair. A cracked lens lets moisture in, a broken mounting tab lets the lamp sit crooked and a damaged bracket can throw the beam pattern off even when the bulb works.
Ask your estimator how replacement lamps will be fitted and checked so your lights point where they should. Correct fit matters for more than looks, because the position of the lamps depends on the brackets and structure behind them.
Athens Collision Repair is the official collision repair center for the Don Wood Automotive family, with factory trained and OEM trained technicians and certified estimators. The team follows manufacturer guidelines for the vehicle in front of them, which matters for the many late-model SUVs, trucks and crossovers on Athens County roads.
If a lamp was cracked in the strike but the vehicle is still drivable, avoid night driving on rural roads until it is repaired, and schedule the inspection as soon as you can.
Report the strike to your insurer as soon as you can. How a deer strike is covered depends on your policy, so ask your agent which coverage applies and what deductible you will pay. The shop works with all insurance providers and handles communication with your insurer directly.
Once body, structural and mechanical repairs are complete, the vehicle is refinished with PPG Envirobase High Performance waterborne paint by PPG certified painters. The refinish is blended to match the surrounding panels, and paint repairs carry a lifetime limited warranty for as long as you own your vehicle. See paint repair for details.
Ask your agent which part of your policy applies to an animal strike and what your deductible is, then let the shop handle the estimate and any supplement with your insurer directly.
The shop serves drivers in Athens, The Plains, Nelsonville, Glouster, Albany, Coolville, Parkersburg and across Southeast Ohio from its location at 830 E. State St. in Athens.
To get started, call 740-589-3636, email photos to athenscollisionrepair@donwood.com or use the online scheduling form. The team will help you take the next step.
Get to a safe spot, turn on your hazard lights and check that everyone is okay. Call emergency services if anyone is hurt or the vehicle is blocking the road, photograph the damage and contact your insurer.
Not if it is leaking fluid, overheating, has a broken headlamp, a hood that will not latch or pulls hard. Call 740-589-3636 and Athens Collision Repair can arrange a tow through reliable local tow companies.
Bumper covers, grilles, headlamps, hoods and fenders are the most visible. Radiators, A/C condensers, bumper reinforcements and front structure are often damaged behind them.
Coverage depends on your policy, so ask your agent which coverage applies and what your deductible is. Athens Collision Repair works with all insurance providers and communicates directly with your insurer during the repair.
Yes. The shop's mechanical services include cooling system and A/C repair, so those parts are repaired along with the body and structure.
Yes, once you are safely off the road. Photos of the front end, the lights and any fluid under the car help your insurer, and for minor damage you can email them to athenscollisionrepair@donwood.com for an initial estimate.
A new or reset headlamp can point too high or too low after front end work. Aiming it before delivery helps you see the shoulder and the road ahead on dark two lane roads, where deer are often hard to spot.
Deer collision repair in SE Ohio: call 740-589-3636 and we will help arrange a tow to 830 E. State St.
Or schedule online. Don Wood's Athens Collision Repair, Athens, OH 45701. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Don Wood Collision Repair has been satisfying it's clients since 1985.
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