Obviously temperature is the big factor. A lot of hunters choose to go look for their deer first thing in the morning after sticking one in the evening and find the deer didn't go far. They don't seem to have a problem with it. I do know that the looks of a deer after a car/deer accident can be very deceiving. One with no or little meat damage can look the same as one that took a square broadside hit. Hopefully the officer can tell you from the damage to the car or by what the driver tells them. Sometimes the deer simplyruns into the side of the car and breaks its neck.We've taken one deer like that and there wasn't anounce of meat wasted.If it's not known, I wouldn't take a chance on it.