Expedition meets Bambi at 55 MPH

I actually thought about putting a bull bar / brush guard on her last fall but.... I just couldn't get very excited about all that I looked at. We just picked up this 2020 Limited Max last summer with 6600 miles on the OD and have been very happy with ride quality and performance.
So Tuesday evening I was on a 2 Lane in a 55 zone with no other vehicles in sight when Bambi jumped up out of a deep culvert. I didn't see it until the hit. My dash camera got the moment and I can see the head and shoulder at impact. Fortunately it was a glancing blow to the RF corner and appears that no damage was done to any frame or suspension.
I had the Sheriff come out and make a report then headed back home. The RF fender took the hit along with a lot of plastic and a whole bunch of wiring, hood and grill / headlights are untouched. The Deputy was pretty impressed with the fur stuck between the tire and wheel....that had to hurt!
We have an absolutely awesome shop only 2 miles from home that will have her back like new in just a few weeks. We are in a rural area and see deer frequently.... just have to keep paying close attention and alert...maybe slow down a few notches at night. Good luck out there on the roads fellow travelers and have a great new year!

Might be time for that brush guard. It seems at night is always bad timing for encounters especially on rural roads. Your fortunate it didn't leap. That would have been a disaster.

Yeah, All things considered it looks like you got away with little damage.

Cyclone said:

Yeah, All things considered it looks like you got away with little damage.

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$14,200...!!!!

That is a lot for Plastic, aluminum, color and a taxidermist to remove fur. I can see why getting dialed in on high deductibles. those costs are crazy.

Brush guards are so ugly I’d just take the hit and fix lol

GT350, I'm glad that you were not hurt as I agree it could have been worse. But 14K + for repairs? Doesn't surprise me anymore. It's a plain shame what the parts cost is as it doesn't seem labor cost has gone up much in a long time.

Sorry about your close encounter with the wildlife. Have used those cheap deer whistles that stick on, we leave in a rural area with a lot of deer. Just have to make sure a bug doesn't plug it up.

Well I had a Grill Guard when I hit a deer with my 2014 Expy last summer. The damage was minor, mainly cosmetic to the bumper, fender and a broken headlight. All together, the damage was around $3,000, which told me that while grill guards doesnt prevent all damage, it does reduce it significantly!

Greye said:

GT350, I'm glad that you were not hurt as I agree it could have been worse. But 14K + for repairs? Doesn't surprise me anymore. It's a plain shame what the parts cost is as it doesn't seem labor cost has gone up much in a long time.

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I'm a little suspicious now since I talked to them and they told me what was being replaced. Pieces and parts that from every angle and view were not involved in the hit. They said the drivers door needed work (I'll find out exactly what that means) the wheel ... Other than some fur caught in the bead there is no damage to that wheel. The hood was untouched but they're replacing the weather tech protector ..?