60mph+bumper+deer=no fun

Chris97K1500 · November 26, 2003

Well this morning around 6am a deer decided to commit suicide. It came out of nowhere! Front passenger side from the turn signal down is all broken. I will list what needs to be replaced, I would like to get an idea of what things cost before going to the insurance company. Things that need replacement: Front grille, turn signal lamps, Black lower plastic air dam, front bumper dented in (it is also pushed back an inch and raised up an inch), the plastic piece between the bumper and the front grille, the front passenger side fender molding, the only scratch to the body was in the same area as the fender molding (all the way to the sheet metal, about 1"x1"). The part that really worries me is that the steering wheel is no longer in its normal position when driving straight, it appears that I have it turned about 90 degrees to the left, the horn now runs up and down. The worst part is that my front passenger tire is turned out about 3", as if I were to turn to the right, only the driver's side is straight. I ended up having to drive on in after the State Police left, as I had an exam this morning. The front sway bar end link is knocked back at least 2" on the passenger side compared to the Driver's side, the bushing is being pinched. The axle still seems to be solid, the tire/rim has no play in it. Any ideas? Would it be bad to drive it about 25 miles in order to get home this afternoon? Appreciate any help! Chris

LogixRat · November 26, 2003

Ouch, that don't sound good at all. If things are bent and it's hard to drive it straight, I'm not sure it would be worth the risk to drive it back home. Think of the liability you would put yourself into.

As far as the costs goes....hard to tell w/o gett'n an actual look at it, but I'm guessing at least $2,000 or better. Sounds like you had some damage under the skins, and those parts add up QUICK!! Unless your deductible is super high, I would probably file a claim and not worry with it.

Definitely not a good thing to have happen, but now you might be able to capitalize by doing some of the work yourself to save a few $$. Plus you might even be able to do some custom work on the front end. I don't know if the NBS clips line up on the OBS trucks or not, but that would be pretty wicked look'n if they did. Just a thought.

99silveradoz71 · November 27, 2003

That sucks, it does sound structural. I'd get a hook for it this afternoon to be safe. It sounds like a claim to me from your description.

Chris97K1500 · November 27, 2003

Well I got my dad to get the big trailer and we took it to the body shop. A little over 1600$, if the wheels can be aligned back up by an alignment. If not, it will depend on what exactly is bent. I won't know for sure until Monday. I have a $500 deductable, so I don't really care if it's more. All I know I'm getting it fixed. I saw the deer later this afternoon about 10ft off the road. It was a pretty good speed bump! I guess I'd be more upset if this truck was the truck I was going to have for a long time. It'll be a farm truck in a couple years, so I'm sure more "stuff" will happen to it. The new grille is one of the most expensive parts, over $320! Thanks, Chris

k1500chevy97 · November 27, 2003

ouch

tyudi5bs · November 30, 2003

Not to ruin your day anymore, but I had a similar suicidal deer take me on the other day. I was doing about 55-60, by the time I saw her dart out, I didn't even have a chance to brake. Having hit deer before, I braced myself for the impact, luckily, 6" lift and 35" tires turned the deer into a large speed bump!!!! The only damage I sustained was some deer brain left on my tow hook, and a bent up superlift skidplate that was repaired with a rosebud heating tip and an attitude adjuster.

MCourson · November 30, 2003

Sorry to hear that, I hope it turns out ok.

Cpl Punishment · November 30, 2003

Well, it could be worse. Couple of years ago I crunched a deer with a '98 Camaro. Had to make the claim, well over $3k of damage. Got the car back, two weeks later, crunched another deer with it. $3500 of damage. Decided to get a truck. I put a Westin sportsman bar on the front. ran over 3 deer with it, no damage to truck, minimal to the bar. All were ~70 MPH hits, the bar just bounced it off.

Have to get another bar for the new Chevy, though, well worth the $400.