Hit a Deer or Swerved to Miss One? Concussion Signs After a Rural Crash in North Central Florida
A crash with a deer, or a crash from swerving to avoid one, can jolt the head hard enough to cause a concussion even when nothing looks wrong. What to watch for in the days after, and when to get care.
Who this is for: Written for drivers and families in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City and the rural roads between them after a crash with a deer or other animal, or a crash from swerving to miss one.
It happens in a second. A deer steps out of the pines on State Road 40 at dusk, or bolts across US-27 outside Williston. You brake hard and swerve. Maybe you hit it. Maybe you miss it and end up in the ditch. There is no other driver and no one to blame. You check yourself, see no blood, and drive home shaken.
If that was you, or someone you love, this article is for you. A crash with an animal, or a crash from swerving to avoid one, can jolt the head hard enough to cause a concussion, even when nothing looks wrong at first. This article is educational and is not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Florida recorded 3,125 crashes in 2024 that began with hitting an animal; more than 500 involved injury or death (FLHSMV).
- You do not have to hit your head. A sudden jolt to the body can cause a concussion (CDC).
- Symptoms may not appear for hours or days, so keep watching after a crash.
- Danger signs like repeated vomiting, a seizure or growing confusion mean call 911 or go to an ER now.
More common than most people think
Florida's 2024 Traffic Crash Facts report counts 3,125 crashes statewide in which hitting an animal was the first thing that went wrong. Most caused no injury, but more than 500 involved a reported injury or a death. Crashes from swerving to miss an animal are usually counted another way, so the real number touched by wildlife is likely higher.
Nationally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety counted 210 deaths in 2024 in crashes that began with hitting an animal. An IIHS review of fatal animal crashes found that most involved deer, and that in many of those crashes the more serious harm came from what happened next: leaving the road, rolling over, or striking a tree or another vehicle.
North Central Florida has plenty of the conditions involved: long, dark, two-lane roads such as US-27 through Levy County, SR-26 west of Newberry, US-441 north toward Lake City and SR-40 and SR-19 through the Ocala National Forest. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that most of the state's vehicle collisions with black bears happen around the Ocala National Forest, and that bears are most active around dawn and dusk.
Why a concussion is easy to miss after this kind of crash
- There is often no police officer, ambulance or exam. People drive home or call a tow truck and go to bed.
- Adrenaline masks symptoms. The CDC notes that some concussion symptoms may not appear for hours or days, and that people may not recognize or admit they are having problems.
- The head does not have to hit anything. The CDC explains that a hit to the body that makes the head move quickly back and forth can cause a concussion. A hard stop, an airbag or a bounce through a ditch can do it.
- Care can feel far away. On a rural road, the nearest emergency room may be many miles off, and it is tempting to just "sleep it off."
- Many people feel embarrassed after a single-car crash and keep quiet about how they feel.
No other driver, no ambulance, no exam. That is exactly why it is worth paying attention to how you feel.
Signs to watch for in the days after
According to the CDC, common concussion symptoms include:
- A headache that will not go away, or keeps coming back
- Dizziness or trouble with balance, nausea, or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Feeling foggy or slowed down, or trouble concentrating or remembering
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Feeling more irritable, anxious or sad than usual
Family members often notice changes before the injured person does. MedlinePlus suggests having an adult stay with someone for the first 12 to 24 hours after an emergency room visit for a concussion. For more on these topics, see when to go to the ER after a head injury and when it is safe to drive after a concussion.
What to do next
If there are no danger signs but symptoms are showing up, see your primary care doctor or the provider treating you after the crash soon. Tell them about the crash and anything your head went through, even if it seems minor. The CDC recommends a short period of rest followed by a gradual return to normal activity, guided by your provider.
Florida's no-fault law, section 627.736, ties personal injury protection medical benefits to initial care within 14 days after a crash, including a single-vehicle crash. An insurance agent or lawyer can explain how it applies to you. Your health comes first either way.
Where Braintree fits
If your provider decides concussion testing makes sense, Braintree's mobile team comes to your provider's office in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City and nearby communities, so you do not have to travel to a distant clinic. Scheduling is coordinated with your provider. Results are physician-reviewed diagnostic reports. They go to a neurologist before your neuro evaluation, and the neurologist is the one who interprets them. Your provider then receives a copy to help with decisions about advanced brain imaging and treatment recommendations.
Learn more about what to expect as a patient and concussion and TBI testing, see mobile testing in North Central Florida, or view recent local crashes on the North Central Florida Crash Map.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a concussion from hitting a deer if your head did not hit anything?
Yes. The CDC explains that a hit to the body that makes the head and brain move quickly back and forth can cause a concussion. A sudden stop or an airbag can do that.
How long after a crash can concussion symptoms start?
The CDC notes that some concussion symptoms may not appear for hours or days after an injury, so it helps to keep watching for changes in the days after a crash.
Should I see a doctor after a single-car crash if I feel fine?
If you notice any symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, fogginess or sleep changes, see your doctor and mention the crash. Go to an emergency room right away for danger signs like repeated vomiting or growing confusion.
Does Florida PIP apply to a crash with an animal?
Florida's no-fault law, section 627.736, ties personal injury protection medical benefits to initial care within 14 days after a crash. An insurance agent or lawyer can explain how it applies to your situation.
Can Braintree test me near Gainesville, Ocala or Lake City?
If your provider decides testing makes sense, Braintree's mobile team tests at your provider's office. A neurologist interprets the reports ahead of your neuro evaluation, and your provider receives a copy afterward. Scheduling is coordinated with your provider.
Sources
- CDC: Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion (including danger signs)
- CDC: About mild TBI and concussion
- CDC: What to do after a mild TBI or concussion
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine): Concussion in adults, discharge
- IIHS-HLDI: Fatality Facts, collisions with fixed objects and animals
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Bears and roads
- FLHSMV: Florida Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2024
- Florida Statutes s. 627.736 (2026): Required personal injury protection benefits
- Florida Department of Health: Florida trauma centers
Photo credits: State Road 40 westbound, Ocala National Forest, by DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Bear crossing sign, State Road 19 near Salt Springs, by DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
