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Deer-vehicle crashes add up to a lot of repair work at local auto body shops Date published: 12/10/2009
By KELLY HANNON If only drivers could invoice a deer. Then they could recoup the average $3,000 cost to fix a dented sedan, minivan or truck after running into a buck or doe. More Fredericksburg-area residents are facing such a bill this fall. Deer-vehicle crashes appear to be on the rise, based on the number of vehicle owners bringing crumpled cars into Fredericksburg-area automobile body repair shops, local owners said. "The bottom line is they're very, very aggressive this year. The hunters are even saying they're aggressive," said Milton Parrish, owner of Parrish Body Shop, located near U.S. 1 in Fredericksburg. "We're actually seeing where they're charging cars." Downtown Garage & Auto Body on Massaponax Church Road in Spotsylvania has also received more deer-related car repairs. Owner George Dobbs speculated there may have been just as many crashes last year, but fewer people brought their car in during 2008. People had taken such a hit to their financial portfolio, they drove around with dents, he speculated. Whatever the reason, "Last year had kind of a dip, and this year we're seeing more," Dobbs said. Southern Auto Body in Spotsylvania's Four-Mile Fork neighborhood has also seen a steady stream of deer-related repairs pull into its lot, spiking in October. "I think there's been an increase this year for whatever reason. It seems it correlates with hunting season starting. That seems to make them run a little more," said Olaf Herrick, owner of Southern Auto Body. Hitting a deer can be a dangerous, scarring experience for drivers, and it can be a scarring experience for your car, too. State Farm Insurance estimates 100,000 deer-vehicle collisions occurred every month in the U.S. between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2009. Virginia was ranked 10th in the U.S. for the highest number of crashes. Deer collisions are most frequent in October, November and December, during deer migration and mating season, State Farm found. The average repair bill was $3,050, an amount Fredericksburg-area auto body shops said was typical. Of course, the repair bill can roam up or down depending on where a deer strikes your car.
I hit a deer for the 1st time in my life about 3 weeks ago. I live on a rural Spotsylvania road and usually drive to work in the dark and home in the dark. Every day, people tailgate me because I am not going 10-15 miles over the speed limit. I am driving more cautiously because I don't want to hit another deer! If these people that are in such a rush ever had the experience of hitting a deer, they might slow down, In the meantime, STAY OFF MY TAIL!
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