CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — If you live in West Virginia, “watch out for deer” is something you’ve probably heard on your way out the door, and according to a new report from State Farm, the warning isn’t for nothing.
On Tuesday, State Farm released its annual animal/deer collision research, which found that West Virginia drivers rank #1 in the country when it comes to risk of filing an animal collision claim, a position that the Mountain State has held for more than a decade.
According to the report, over the past year, West Virginians had a 1 in 40 chance on average to file an animal collision claim, far higher than the national average of 1 in 139.
Despite the risk, West Virginia doesn’t even come close to being the state with the most actual collisions. According to the report, between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, West Virginians reported more than 28,000 animal collisions. This number is slightly down from 2024 and pales in comparison to Pennsylvania, which had the most collisions in the U.S. during the same timeframe at 147,000.
(Courtesy: State Farm)
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Data found in the report said that in West Virginia, deer made up the large majority of animal collisions that caused damage to vehicles, with “unknown animals,” rodents, dogs, raccoons and cattle following. The data added that October-December is the period of the year when most animal-related crashes occur countrywide.
State Farm said that over the past year, it has handled 1.7 million insurance claims across the country related to animal collisions, a total that is slightly down from the 1.8 million reported in 2024. The company added that deer accounted for 1.1 million of this year’s claims.
To read the full report, as well as tips on how to avoid animal collisions, click here.
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