Hit-and-Run Jail Time

Research shows that approximately 682,000 hit-and-run crashes occurred annually in the United States from 2006 to 2016. Although data from studies on hit-and-run crashes are scarce, researchers believe that the number of hit-and-run fatalities is increasing.

What is a hit-and-run charge, and what are the laws and policies on hit-and-run crashes in the United States?

How will a hit-and-run charge affect your car insurance payments if you’re found guilty? If you’re innocent, what evidence can you present in court to plead your case?

This article discusses what happens in a hit-and-run and the penalties assumed by the offender. It also explains what you can do when you commit a hit-and-run and what evidence you can show for your defense.

This article also discusses the various hit-and-run laws across the U.S. and explains how a hit-and-run can affect your car insurance cost.

Hit-and-run cases are among the causes of road fatalities, injuries, and property damage. Knowing the hit-and-run laws can prepare you to handle such cases and prevent or minimize your chances of causing such accidents.

If you know someone imprisoned for a hit-and-run or similar case, you can use staging-lookupinmates.kinsta.cloud’s online tool to search for their location and criminal records.

What Will Happen if You Do a Hit-and-Run?

A person who suffers personal injury or property damage due to a hit-and-run will likely call the police and make a report. The police department has investigators specializing in finding hit-and-run drivers and arresting them.

What Should You Do if You Committed a Hit-and-Run?

If you figured in a hit-and-run but left the scene, talk to a lawyer before talking to a police officer and before reporting the accident to your car insurance.

Your lawyer can help you protect yourself from unfair prosecution, potential criminal charges, and financial or insurance issues.

What If the Police Say They Know You Did It, Saying They Have You on a Surveillance Camera or Red Light Video, and Only Need to Confirm It Was You to Issue a Citation?

It may be practical to assume the police will want you to admit your fault so they can arrest you.

Even if the police say they have video evidence, consider speaking to an attorney first before admitting anything so you can avoid or minimize any legal issues.

Where Can a Victim Find the Necessary Evidence to Prove the Case?

A hit-and-run victim can prove their case by presenting evidence from any of the following sources:

• Tangible evidence like photographs, video recordings, X-rays, and paper records or documents
• Circumstantial evidence like human behavior, witness testimony, and scientific evidence

How to Prove Your Case

The evidence you can use to prove your case can vary by state. For instance, to convict a hit-and-run driver in Florida, you must have evidence proving that:

• The defendant drove a vehicle.
• A crash happened.
• Someone got injured or killed, or there was property damage.
• The driver didn’t stop and provide the required personal information or medical care for the victim.

Driver Responsibility After an Auto Accident

State laws vary. In Virginia, it is imperative for all drivers and passengers involved in the crash to report the accident. Failure to do so can result in a criminal conviction.

Under Virginia law, the following are the driver’s obligations:

• Stop your vehicle close to the scene of the accident without obstructing traffic.
• Report your name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number to local law enforcement or state police immediately.
• Provide reasonable assistance to the injured person in the accident.
• If you have injuries preventing you from complying with the requirements, report to the police and locate the other vehicle’s driver, occupant, or custodian as soon as you can reasonably do so.
• If you hit an unattended or parked vehicle, use reasonable effort to find the owner or leave a note with your contact details.

Hit-and-Run Penalties

Hit-and-run penalties vary by state depending on the crime’s alleged facts. For instance, the criminal charge for a hit-and-run in Louisiana can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances.

Criminal Penalties for Leaving a Car Accident Scene

The following penalties for hit-and-run in Louisiana include the following:

Misdemeanor Hit-and-Run

If there’s no serious bodily injury or death, the defendant shall pay a $500 fine, be imprisoned for six months, or both.

Felony Hit-and-Run

Felony hit-and-run happens when the result of the accident is serious bodily injury or death, and the driver knows about such injury or death.

In Louisiana, the defendant shall pay a fine not exceeding $5,000, be imprisoned for up to 10 years with or without hard labor, or both.

Administrative Penalties for Leaving a Car Accident Scene

Penalties for felony hit-and-run can include fines ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 in most states. Incarceration is also possible, with some criminal cases lasting 15 years, depending on the injuries and nature of the accident.

Civil Penalties for Hit-and-Run

If you caused the accident, another person involved in the crash could sue you for damages. Such lawsuits usually involve asking for financial compensation for property damage, lost wages, and medical bills.

In a civil lawsuit, some states will impose punitive or treble damages on a hit-and-run offender.

• Punitive damages are awarded in court to the plaintiff or injured person but are not meant to cover the plaintiff’s losses.
• Treble damages are awarded to the plaintiff at triple the amount of damages. For instance, when the jury awards the plaintiff $5,000 in damages, the judge can automatically triple that amount to $15,000.

Hit-and-Run or DUI: Leaving the Scene of an Accident Due to Fear of DWI Charge

One common reason drivers leave the accident scene is fear of being arrested and getting charged with DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated). Hit-and-run and drunk driving can become criminal charges, such as a misdemeanor or felony.

Penalties for a Hit-and-Run Conviction

Hit-and-run penalties vary depending on the state or court. Some penalties settle with a fine, while others require paying the fine and serving time in jail.

Hit-and-Run Police Investigation

Police investigations usually involve home visits, interview requests at the police station, or phone calls. Regardless of how the police communicate with you, remember that they can use anything you say against you to charge you with a crime. So, always remain calm, invoke your rights, and contact a lawyer first.

Federal United States Park Police Regulation for Reporting Accidents

To report an incident occurring in a National Park Service (NPS) location within the Washington D.C, California, San Francisco, or New York City metropolitan areas, email USPP_Records@nps.gov.

Possible Charges for Leaving a Hit-and-Run Accident Scene

Charges for a hit-and-run can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on whether you damaged property only or there’s injury or death involved.

Note that defendants charged with a misdemeanor can plead it down to an infraction. So, if you’re the driver, do not leave the accident scene, or you may face serious criminal charges.

Defenses Against a Hit-and-Run or Leaving the Scene of an Accident Charge

People with no bad intentions can still be accused of a hit-and-run crime.

For example, you may unknowingly back into someone else’s car at a parking lot or, due to panic and adrenaline rush, fail to respond rationally and continue driving.

In such cases, a criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid a conviction and criminal record, mainly if such convictions serve no criminal justice purpose.

Recent Case Decisions Related to Hit-and-Run Accidents

One case involved a driver convicted of two counts of failure to stop at the accident scene. According to the conviction, the driver forced an oncoming vehicle to crash off-road but without collision between the two vehicles.

The defendant appealed by arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support the claim of failing to stop at the scene where a single accident occurred but with two injured people.

The court determined that the evidence was insufficient to prove that the defendant knew that an accident had occurred. The court also considered the evidence insufficient to prove two different offenses.

Hit-and-Run Laws in the United States

Because laws in the U.S. vary by state, the penalties for hit-and-run also differ. Still, a person convicted of a hit-and-run may face fines, license suspension, or jail time.

Alabama Hit-and-Run Law

Penalties for hit-and-run in Alabama are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Death, Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, and Striking Unattended Vehicle

Class A misdemeanor for causing an accident that caused someone injury	Up to one year of imprisonment and a $6,000 fine
Class C felony for leaving the scene of the accident that resulted in someone’s injury or death:	1 to 10 years imprisonment and a $15,000 fine

Alaska Hit-and-Run Law

In Alaska, the following hit-and-run penalties apply:

Penalty for Injury, Death, and Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Hitting an unattended vehicle	Up to one year of imprisonment or a $500 fine, or both
Causing an accident that resulted in someone’s injury or death	Up to 10 years imprisonment and a $150,000 fine

Arizona Hit-and-Run Law

Penalties for hit-and-run in Arizona are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Death, and Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Misdemeanor hit-and-run	Up to four months imprisonment or up to $750 fine, or both
Felony hit-and-run
Class 3 felony (failing to stop and there was serious physical injury or death)	Seven years imprisonment
Class 2 felony (causing a hit-and-run accident resulting in serious physical injury or death and failing to stop)	Up to 10 years imprisonment

Arkansas Hit-and-Run Law

In Arkansas, penalties for leaving the accident scene without rendering reasonable assistance to the victim include the following:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

• Class D felony with up to six years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines
• Revocation of driver’s license

California Hit-and-Run Law

California penalties for hit-and-run are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, Striking Unattended Vehicle

Injury	Up to one year in state prison or county jail or $1,000 to $10,000 in fines, or bothFive years in state prison for fleeing
Death	State prison imprisonment for 2 to 4 years or county jail imprisonment for 90 days to 1 year, or bothA fine of $1,000 to $10,000Five years in state prison for fleeing
Damage to a driven vehicle	Up to six months imprisonment or up to $1,000 fine, or both
Striking an unattended vehicle	Up to six months imprisonment or up to $1,000 fine, or both

Colorado Hit-and-Run Law

The following hit-and-run penalties apply to cases in Colorado:

Penalty for Injury, Serious Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven Attended by Person

Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense for injury	Revocation of driver’s license or nonresident operating privilege
Damage to a vehicle driven or attended by a person	Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense
Class 4 felony for serious injury	Two to six years imprisonment plus three years of parole, a $500,000 fine, or bothRevocation of driver’s license
Death	4 to 12 years imprisonment plus five years of parole or a $750,000 fine, or both Revocation of driver’s license

Connecticut Hit-and-Run Law

The following penalties for hit-and-run offenses apply in Connecticut:

Penalty for Injury and Death

Injury	Up to one year of imprisonment or $75 to $600 in fines, or both
Death	1 to 10 years imprisonment or up to $10,000 fine (also applies to serious physical injury), or both

Delaware Hit-and-Run Law

Delaware’s hit-and-run penalties include the following:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Unclassified misdemeanor conviction for injury	$1,000 to $3,000 fine or one to two years imprisonmentDriver’s license revocation for one year
Class 5 felony conviction for death	Incarceration of not less than one year without suspension for the first six months of any imposed sentenceTwo-year revocation of driver’s license
Damage to a vehicle driven or attended by a person	$230 to $1,150 fine or 60 days to 6 months imprisonment

Florida Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Florida’s hit-and-run laws are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven Attended by Person, Striking Unattended Vehicle

Second- or third-degree felony for injury	Up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fineDriver’s license revocation for at least three years
First-degree felony for death	4 to 30 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fineDriver’s license revocation for at least three years
Second-degree misdemeanor for property damage	Up to 60 days imprisonment and a $500 fine

Georgia Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Georgia, penalties for hit-and-run accidents include the following:

Penalty for Injury, Death, and Injury or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Injury	$300 to $1,000 fine or up to one year of imprisonment, or both
Second conviction within five years	$600 to $1,000 fine or up to one year of imprisonment, or both
Third or subsequent conviction within five years	$1,000 fine or up to one year of imprisonment, or both
Felony conviction for death	One to five years imprisonment
Misdemeanor for damaging a vehicle driven or attended by a person	$300 to $1,000 fine or up to one year of imprisonment, or both
Second conviction within five years	$600 to $1,000 fine or up to one year of imprisonment, or both
Third or subsequent conviction within five years	$1,000 fine or up to one year of imprisonment, or both

Hawaii’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Hawaii’s penalties for hit-and-run are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Death or Serious Bodily Injury, Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, and Striking Unattended Vehicle

Bodily injury
Misdemeanor for bodily injury	Up to one year of imprisonmentUp to $2,000 in fines$100 fine each for neurotrauma and trauma special funds
Class C felony for substantial bodily injury	Up to five years imprisonmentUp to $10,000 fine$250 fine each for neurotrauma and trauma special funds
Class B felony for death or serious bodily injury	Revocation of driver’s license$500 fine each for neurotrauma and trauma special funds
Striking an unattended vehicle or damaging a vehicle driven or attended by a person	$100 fine for a trauma system special fund

Idaho’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Penalties for hit-and-run accidents in Idaho include license revocation for one year and the following:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Felony for injury or death	Up to five years imprisonment or up to a $5,000 fine, or both
Misdemeanor for damage to a vehicle driven or attended by a person	Up to one year of imprisonment and a fine
Felony for injury or death	Up to five years imprisonment or up to a $5,000 fine, both
Misdemeanor for damage to a vehicle driven or attended by a person	Up to one year of imprisonment and a fine

Illinois’ Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

The following penalties apply in Illinois if you fail to stop for a hit-and-run accident:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, Striking Unattended Vehicle

Class A misdemeanor for accidents with an unattended vehicle	Up to $2,500 and less than one year of imprisonment
Class A misdemeanor for accidents causing only property damage	Driver’s license suspension for damages more than $1,000, up to $2,500 fine, and less than one year of imprisonment
Class 4 felony for accidents leading to injury or death	One to three years imprisonment, up to $25,000 fine, and license revocation
Class 2 felony for failure to report the injury-causing accident to the police	Three to seven years imprisonment, up to $25,000 fine, and license revocation
Class 1 felony for failure to report the death-causing accident to the police	4 to 15 years imprisonment, up to $25,000 fine, and license revocation

Indiana’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Indiana, penalties for hit-and-run accidents are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, Striking Unattended Vehicle

Class B misdemeanor for hit-and-run without injuries	Up to 180 days imprisonment and up to $1,000 in fines
Class A misdemeanor for hit-and-run with bodily injury	Up to one year of imprisonment and up to $5,000 in fines
Level 6 felony for hit-and-run serious injury	6 months to 2.5 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines
Level 4 felony for hit-and-run resulting in death or catastrophic injury	2 to 12 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines
Level 3 felony for hit-and-run while intoxicated and causing serious, catastrophic, or fatal injury	10 years to 30 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines

Iowa’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

The following penalties apply for hit-and-run cases in Iowa:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Simple misdemeanor for property damage	Up to $625 fine and up to 30 days of jail time
Serious misdemeanor for personal injury	$350 to $1,875 fine and up to 12 months of jail time
Class D felony for death	Five years imprisonment and up to $7,500 in fines

Kansas’ Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Penalties for hit-and-run accidents in Kansas include the following:

Penalty for Injury, Death, Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, and Striking Unattended Vehicle

Property damage of less than $1,000	Traffic infractions punishable by a fine and may escalate to a misdemeanor if the accused has prior crimes
Level 6 felony for death or great bodily injury	Up to 18 months imprisonment if the accused has no previous cases, and the court can impose a fine
Level 5 felony for knowingly leaving the accident scene resulting in great bodily injury or death	Up to 32 months imprisonment if the accused has no previous cases

Kentucky’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Kentucky, the penalties for hit-and-run are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Death, Death or Serious Physical Injury Where the Person Knows or Should Have Known of the Serious Physical Injury or Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Class A misdemeanor for property damage	Up to 365 days of jail time and a $500 maximum fine
Class D felony for serious physical injury or death	Up to five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine
Infraction for failure to report an accident	Punishable by a fine
Leaving the accident scene	Driver’s license suspension

Louisiana’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Penalties for hit-and-run accidents in Louisiana include the following:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, Striking Unattended Vehicle

Misdemeanor hit-and-run charges	Up to $500 in fines and up to six months imprisonmentMandatory 10-day imprisonment if the driver who flees the scene consumed alcohol or drugs, or both, that may have contributed to the accident
Felony for serious bodily harm or death	Imprisonment for up to 10 years with or without hard labor, a fine of up to $5,000, or both

Maine’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Maine, the penalties for hit-and-run incidents are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Death, Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, and Striking Unattended Vehicle

Class D crime for leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in serious injury or death	Up to 12 months of jail time, and a $2,000 maximum fine
Class E crime for property damage	Up to 180 days jail time and $1,000 maximum fine
Class C crime/felony for death, serious injury or DUI hit-and-run	Up to five years jail time, a 90-day license suspension, and a $5000 fine

Maryland’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Meanwhile, hit-and-run penalties in Maryland include the following:

Penalty for Serious Bodily Injury Where Driver Knows or Reasonably Should’ve Known That the Accident May Result in Serious Bodily Injury to Another Person, or Death Where Driver Knows or Reasonably Should’ve Known That the Accident May Result in the Death of Another Person

Bodily injury	Up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine
Fatality	Up to 10 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine

Penalty for Accident Resulting in Damage to Attended Vehicle or Property, Striking Unattended Vehicle

Property damage only

60 days imprisonment and up to $500 fine

Massachusetts’ Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

The laws for leaving an accident scene in Massachusetts include the following penalties:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage Only to Vehicle or Other Property

Knowingly causing injury that does not result in death	Imprisonment from six months to two years or a fine from $500 to $1,000Revocation of driver’s license
Leaving the scene after causing death	Revocation of driver’s licenseImprisonment in state prison for 2.5 to 10 years or in a jail or house of correction for 1 to 2.5 years$1,000 to $5,000 fine
Leaving the scene of property damage	$20 to $200 fine or jail time of two weeks to two years, or both

Michigan’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Michigan, the penalties applying to hit-and-run accidents where the driver at fault flees the scene are the following:

Penalty for Injury, Death, Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, or Damage to Unattended Vehicle

Felony for crashes resulting in death	Up to 15 years imprisonment or up to $10,000 fine, or both
Felony for crashes resulting in serious bodily impairment or death	Up to five years imprisonment or up to $5,000 fine, or both
Misdemeanor for accidents resulting in injury to any individual	Jail time of up to one year or up to $1,000 in fines, or bothDriver’s license suspension
Misdemeanor for crashes resulting in damaging a vehicle attended or operated by any individual	Up to 90 days of jail time and a $100 fine

Minnesota’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Minnesota’s penalties for hit-and-run accidents include the following:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, and Striking Unattended Vehicle

Felony for bodily harm	Up to one year of jail time and up to $4,000 in fines
Felony for death	Up to three years in jail and up to $5,000 in fines
Misdemeanor for property damage	Fines based on the damage’s monetary value

Mississippi’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

The hit-and-run laws in Mississippi impose the following penalties:

Penalty for Injury, Death or Serious Physical Injury, and Property Damage

Misdemeanor for property damage above $250	Up to one year of jail time and a $5,000 maximum fine
Felony for serious injury (including damage to facial features and limbs) or death	Up to 20 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine

Montana’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Montana, hit-and-run laws include the following penalties:

Penalty for Injury, Serious Bodily Injury or Death, and Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Misdemeanor for property damage	Up to 20 days jail time and a $300 maximum fine for the first offense
Misdemeanor for leaving the accident scene involving property damage or minor injuries	Up to 365 days of jail time and a $5,000 maximum fine
Felony for serious bodily injury or death	Up to 10 years imprisonment and a $50,000 maximum fine

Nebraska’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Nebraska’s laws concerning hit-and-run incidents have the following penalties:

Penalty for Injury, Serious Bodily Injury or Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, Striking Unattended Vehicle

Class II misdemeanor for damage to property or unattended vehicle	Up to six months of jail time and up to $1,000 in fines
Class IIIA felony for leaving the accident scene involving personal injury	Up to three years imprisonment, post-release supervision of up to one year, and a maximum fine of $10,000
Class III felony for death	Up to four years imprisonment, $10,000 fine, up to two years post-release supervision, and revocation of driving privileges up to 15 years

Nevada’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Nevada, leaving the scene of a hit-and-run accident can subject you to the following penalties:

Penalty for Bodily Injury or Death, Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, and Striking Unattended Vehicle

Category B felony for fleeing an accident scene involving injury or death	2 to 20 years in state prison and $2,000 to $5,000 in fines
Misdemeanor for property damage	Up to six months of jail time or a $1,000 fine, or both

New Hampshire’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Leaving a hit-and-run scene in New Hampshire imposes the following penalties:

Penalty for Death or Personal Injury, Damage to Property

For damaging property or hitting an unattended vehicle	Class A misdemeanor with a $2,000 fine and up to one year of imprisonment or a class B misdemeanor with a $1,200 fine without jail time
For leaving the accident scene involving death or property damage	Class B felony with up to seven years of jail time and a $2,000 maximum fine

New Jersey’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In New Jersey, leaving a hit-and-run accident scene can lead to the following penalties:

Penalty for Injury or Death, Damage to a Vehicle Only

Hit-and-run without injuries
First offense and no one was hurt	$200 to $400 fineUp to 30 days imprisonmentSix-month license suspension and two points added to the person’s driving record
Second offense or more	$400 to $600 fine30 to 90 days of jail timeOne-year license suspension
Hit-and-run with injury or death
First offense	$2,500 to $5,000 in fines180-day jail timeOne-year driver’s license suspension
Second offense	Permanent driver’s license suspension

New Mexico’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Hit-and-run penalties for leaving an accident scene in New Mexico include the following:

Penalty for Accidents Without Injuries, Serious Injury or Death, Where the Driver Knowingly Fails to Stop and Accident Results in Great Bodily Harm, or Where the Driver Knowingly Fails to Stop and the Accident Results in Death

Misdemeanor for leaving an accident scene after damaging property or hitting unattended vehicle	$1,000 maximum fineUp to six months or one year of imprisonment
Fourth-degree felony for injury or death	$5,000 maximum fee18 months imprisonment
Third-degree felony for reckless driving	$5,000 maximum feeUp to three years in prison

New York’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In New York, the following penalties apply to motorists who flee the hit-and-run accident scene:

Penalty for Damage to Property, Accident Resulting in Serious Injury, or Accident Resulting in Death

Traffic infraction for property damage and failure to share license and insurance information	Up to 15 days of jail time or up to $250 in fines, or both
Class E felony for serious injury	Up to $2,500 in fines and up to four years in prison
Class D felony for fatality	Up to $5,000 in fines and no more than seven years in prison

North Dakota’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

North Dakota implements the following penalties for hit-and-run accidents:

Penalty for Injury, Serious Personal Injury, Death, Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, and Damage to Unattended Vehicle

Leaving the accident scene involving injury	Jail time of up to 360 days and a maximum fine of $3,000
Class B misdemeanor for leaving the accident scene involving property damage	Imprisonment of up to 30 days and a fine of $1,500
Class A misdemeanor for damaging an unattended vehicle and failing to leave a note or find the property owner	Prison time of up to 130 days and a maximum fine of $3,000
Class C felony for a negligent hit-and-run involving injury	Fines of $10,000 and imprisonment of up to five years imprisonment
Class A felony for DUI hit-and-run with death	Maximum fine of $20,000 and up to 20 years imprisonment

Ohio’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Penalties for leaving the accident scene in Ohio are as follows:

Penalty for Injury to Person, Serious Injury to Person, Death of a Person, Damage to Attended Vehicle, or Damage to Unattended Vehicle

First-degree misdemeanor for no injury	Up to six months in jail and a $1,000 maximum fine
Fifth-degree felony for serious injury	6 to 12 months of imprisonment and a $2,500 maximum fine
Fourth-degree felony for known serious injury	6 to 18 months of jail time and a $5,000 maximum fine
Third-degree felony for death	12 to 60 months in prison and a $10,000 maximum fine
Second-degree felony for known death	Two to eight years in prison and a $15,000 maximum fine

These penalties are inclusive of a class five driver’s license suspension. This suspension class suspends a license for six months to three years.

Oklahoma’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Oklahoma, the following penalties apply to motorists who fail to stop, provide information, and render aid when involved in hit-and-run accidents:

Penalty for Nonfatal Injury to Person, Death of Person, and Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Misdemeanor for damaging the other vehicle but no injuries	$500 fine or up to one year in county jail, or both
Felony for nonfatal injury	Up to $1,000 fine or up to two years imprisonment, or both
Felony for death	Up to $10,000 fine or up to 10 years imprisonment, or both

Oregon’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Oregon, courts impose the following hit-and-run penalties:

Penalty for Injury to a Person, Serious Injury or Death, or Damaged Property

Class C felony for injury	Up to $125,000 fine and a maximum of five years imprisonment
Class B felony for serious injury or death	Up to $250,000 fine and up to 10 years imprisonment
Class A misdemeanor for damaged property	Maximum of $5,000 in fines and a maximum of one year in jail

A judge can also require the offender to pay an amount equal to the damages caused by the hit-and-run accident.

Pennsylvania’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Pennsylvania’s penalties for an individual leaving the scene of a hit-and-run accident are the following:

Penalty for Injury, Serious Bodily Injury, Death, Damage to an Attended Vehicle or Property, or Damage to an Unattended Vehicle

Third-degree felony for leaving the accident scene involving serious injury	At least $1,000 in fines and up to seven years in prison
Second-degree felony for leaving the accident scene involving death	At least $1,000 in fines and at least three years in prison
Third-degree misdemeanor for hit-and-run property damage	Up to a $2,500 fine and up to one year in prison
A summary offense for a hit-and-run involving an unattended vehicle	$300 fine and up to 90 days in jail

Rhode Island’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Leaving a hit-and-run accident scene in Rhode Island charges the offender with the following penalties:

Penalty for Injury, Serious Bodily Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Misdemeanor for leaving the accident scene involving property damage	Jail time of up to six months, mandatory license suspension of up to six months, and a maximum fine of $1,000
Felony for a hit-and-run involving injury	Up to five years in prison, up to one year of mandatory license suspension, and a $5,000 maximum fine
Felony for DUI (driving under the influence) hit-and-run resulting in death	For the first offense, imprisonment of 5 to 15 years, fines from $5,000 to $10,000, and driving privilege revocation of up to five years

South Carolina’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Penalties for hit-and-run offenders in South Carolina are as follows:

Penalty for Injury, Serious Injury, Death, or Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person

Misdemeanor for injury	$100 to $5,000 in fines or 30 days to 1 year of imprisonment, or both
Felony for great bodily injury or death	$5,000 minimum fine and 30 days to 10 years of imprisonment
Misdemeanor for damaging an attended vehicle, unattended vehicle, or fixture like a building or fence	$100 to $5,000 in fines or 30 days to 1 year of imprisonment

South Dakota’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

South Dakota’s rules for hit-and-run incidents are the following:

Penalty for Death or Personal Injury, Damage to Vehicle or Property, or Damage to Unattended Vehicle or Property

Class six felony for injury or death	$2,000 fine or two-year imprisonment, or both
Class 1 misdemeanor for vehicle or property damage	Up to $2,000 in fines or up to one year of imprisonment, or both
Class 2 misdemeanor for damage to unattended vehicle or property	Up to $500 in fines or up to 30 days of jail time, or both

Tennessee’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Tennessee, figuring in a hit-and-run can impose the following penalties on the offender:

Penalty for Death or Personal Injury, if Driver Knows or Should Have Known That Death Resulted

Class A misdemeanor for injury or death	Up to $2,500 in fines, up to one year in jail, and license suspension
Felony for accidents where the driver should’ve known about the resulting death	Imprisonment of one to six years

Texas Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Texas implements the following penalties for leaving the scene of hit-and-run accidents:

Penalty for Personal Injury and Death

Felony for injury	Up to one year in a county jail or up to five years in state prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both
Third-degree felony for death or serious injury	Imprisonment for 2 to 10 years in state prison

Utah’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Utah’s laws penalizing motorists fleeing hit-and-run car crash incidents include the following penalties:

Penalty for Injury, Death, or Property Damage

Class C misdemeanor for property damage or loss	$750 in fines and up to 90 days in jail
Class A misdemeanor for injury	Up to $2,500 in fines and one year in jail
Third-degree felony for serious bodily injury leading to permanent disfiguring, physical function loss, or possible death	$5,000 in fines and no more than five years imprisonment

Vermont’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Hit-and-run offenders in Vermont are subject to the following penalties:

Penalty for Personal Injury, Serious Injury, or Death

Misdemeanor for leaving the accident scene with property damage	Up to two years of jail time and a $3,000 maximum fine
Felony for serious bodily injury	Five years maximum jail time and a $3,000 fine
Felony for death	1 to 15 years imprisonment and a $3,000 fine

Virginia’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

In Virginia, offenders figuring in hit-and-run accidents are penalized as follows:

Penalty for Property Damage Less Than $1,000 and Personal Injury, Death, or Property Damage of More Than $1,000

Class 5 felony for injury, death, and property damage exceeding $1,000	Imprisonment of up to 10 years
Class 1 misdemeanor for damage below $1,000 to an attended vehicle or property or damage between $250 and $1,000 to an unattended vehicle or property	Jail time of up to one year

Washington, D.C. Hit-and-Run Law

Washington, D.C.’s hit-and-run laws have the following penalties:

Penalty for Injury, Damage to Vehicle Driven or Attended by Person, and Striking Unattended Vehicle

Leaving the scene involving personal injury	Jail time of up to 180 days or a fine of up to $1,000, or both
Leaving the scene involving property damage	Maximum of 30 days in jail or up to $250 in fines, or both for a first offense90 days in jail for subsequent offenses

West Virginia’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

West Virginia’s hit-and-run laws impose the following penalties:

Penalty for Death and Personal Injury

Accident involving death	Up to three years imprisonment, up to $5,000 in fines, and a license suspension of at least one year
Accident involving personal injury	Up to one year of confinement in county jail, $1,000 in fines, and a license suspension of at least one year

Wisconsin’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

The consequences of not stopping when you’re involved in a traffic accident in Wisconsin are as follows:

Penalty for Property Damage, Personal Injury, Serious Bodily Injury, or Death

Accidents without injury or death	A fine between $300 and $1,000
Injury without great bodily harm	Felony with up to nine months of jail time and up to $10,000 in fines
Great bodily harm	Class E felony with up to 15 years of imprisonment and up to $50,000 in fines
Fleeing an accident involving death	Class D felony with up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines

Wyoming’s Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Hit-and-run offenders who fail to stop or comply with Wyoming’s regulations are handed the following penalties:

Penalty for Personal Injury or Death and Damage to Vehicle or Property

Felony for personal injury or death	Up to $5,000 in fines or imprisonment of up to one year, or both
Misdemeanor for vehicle or property damage	Up to $750 in fines or up to six months of imprisonment, or both

What Is a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?

A hit-and-run is when a motorist figures in a car accident involving another car, a pedestrian, or a fixed object and leaves the scene without stopping to provide identification and aid those needing assistance.

Elements of a Hit-and-Run Crime

The elements making up a hit-and-run can vary by state. However, common elements include the following:

• The offender driving a vehicle was involved in an accident
• The accident damaged another person’s property
• The offender knew the accident caused or could probably cause damage
• The offender willfully failed to stop at the accident scene or failed to provide identifying information to the owner of the damaged property

How Serious Is a Hit-and-Run?

A hit-and-run can range from a less serious misdemeanor, like when the damage is limited to property, to a felony, like when someone gets seriously injured or killed.

Accident Resulting in Injury to the Victim

In some cases, a hit-and-run that causes injuries can result in a misdemeanor that can impose a small fine or land the offender in jail for a short period.

Accident Resulting in Great Bodily Injury to the Victim

Serious injuries can lead to a felony and impose longer sentences or heavier fines. Such injuries include ones that result in loss of bodily or organ function, disfigurement, or risk of death.

Accident Resulting in Death to the Victim

Accidents resulting in someone’s death can land the offender in jail for a year or longer and impose a hefty fine. For example, in South Carolina, hit-and-run resulting in death can result in a fine of $10,000 to $25,000 and imprisonment of 1 to 25 years.

Getting Help After a Hit-and-Run

If you’re in a vehicle accident and want legal help, consider contacting a law firm that can provide a car accident lawyer or criminal defense attorney in your area.

How a Hit-and-Run Affects Car Insurance

Some insurance companies have a policy of canceling your car’s insurance policy if you’re charged with a hit-and-run. If you have car insurance, review your policy or contact the insurance company.

How Can Your Insurance Get Resolved so You Can Get Your Car Fixed?

An attorney can give legal advice, offer defense strategy, and help claim your insurance to fix your car in case of a hit-and-run by assisting you with the following:

• Getting help for the victim
• Insulating you from admitting anything
• Having your car fixed without having to admit guilt
• Helping your criminal case by getting the victim paid and not bothering the police to charge you

FAQs

1. What is the difference between hit-and-run and leaving the scene of an accident?

Both terms mean the same thing, but hit-and-run refers to the criminal charge when you leave the scene of an accident without giving identity and rendering appropriate aid first.

2. What is a serious injury for hit-and-run laws?

A serious bodily injury refers to conditions causing prolonged impairment or loss of bodily or organ function, personal disfigurement, or increased risk of death.

3. Is hit-and-run a felony in the U.S.?

Depending on the circumstances, hit-and-run can become a felony in the U.S. if the offender causes serious bodily injury or death.

4. What is a felony hit-and-run?

A felony hit-and-run is a criminal offense wherein the offender leaves the accident scene without providing identification, contact information, or appropriate aid and causes serious injury or death to the victim.

5. Can I prove a hit-and-run?

If you’re the accused, it’s the prosecutor’s job to prove the criminal charge of hit-and-run against you in court.

6. Do most hit-and-runs get caught?

It’s possible that many hit-and-runs get caught, especially when people nowadays use cell phones with cameras, making it easier to report hit-and-runs by getting videos of the offender leaving the scene.

7. Is it hit-and-run if you come back?

Because the law requires you to stop immediately and provide identity after an accident, it’s still a hit-and-run even if you leave the scene and return later.

8. Does full coverage cover hit-and-runs?

If you’re hit by another motor vehicle that flees the scene, full coverage car insurance can cover your vehicle’s damage.

9. Is hit-and-run worse than DUI?

Some states have lighter penalties for DUI than hit-and-run, but others have heavier hit-and-run penalties depending on the circumstance, like when there’s injury or death involved.

10. What must I do if I hit a sign?

If you hit a sign, pull over at the accident scene and call the police immediately. Report the accident and provide your identity to avoid hit-and-run charges.

11. Can a hit-and-run be a civil case?

A hit-and-run can be a civil case when the plaintiff files legal action by themselves, regardless of whether the state brings criminal charges.

12. How much compensation can I get after a hit-and-run?

If you’re the plaintiff, your compensation depends on the damages in the initial accident and the additional harm due to the offender leaving the accident scene.

References

1. Hit-and-Run Crashes: Prevalence, Contributing Factors and Countermeasures
https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/18-0058_Hit-and-Run-Brief_FINALv2.pdf
2. 2021 Louisiana Laws Revised Statutes, Title 14 – Criminal Law §100. Hit-and-run driving https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/2021/revised-statutes/title-14/rs-100/