Elawyers Elawyers
Ohio| Change
Visitors: 15

Leaving the Scene of an Accident/Hit and Run: State Laws

All states have laws covering hit and run accidents. Generally, a hit and run occurs when a driver is involved in an accident with a pedestrian, another car, or a fixed object, and leaves the scene without identifying herself or rendering aid to anyone who may need help. The definition of hit and run generally doesn't include fault. The violation is committed when the driver leaves the scene, regardless of whether he or she caused the accident. However, most states allow for a driver to temporarily leave the scene in order to get emergency help.

Penalties for leaving the scene of an accident include fines and jail time and may be classified as either misdemeanors or felonies. Typically, felony hit and run occurs when a driver leaves the scene of an accident in which a driver or pedestrian has been injured. In addition, a driver who leaves the scene of an accident may also have his license suspended. Below are links to hit and run state laws.

State Statute
Alabama Motor Vehicle Accidents

(AL Code Title 32, Ch. 10)

Alaska Action of Operator Immediately After Accident

(AK Statutes 28.35.050)

Arizona Accidents involving death or personal injury; failure to stop

(ARS 28-661)
Accidents involving damage to vehicle; failure to stop (ARS 28-662)

Arkansas Accidents

(AR Code Title 27, Ch. 53)

California Accidents and Accident Reports

(California Vehicle Code Sections 20000 - 20018)

Colorado Accidents involving death or personal injuries - duty

(CRS 42-4-1601)
Accidents involving damage - duty (CRS 42-4-1602)

Connecticut

Evasion of responsibility in operation of motor vehicles

(Gen. Statutes of Connecticut section 14-224)

Delaware Duty of driver involved in accident - property damage or injury
Duty of driver involved in accident - injury or death

(DE Code Title 21 section 4202)

District of Columbia Fleeing from scene of accident; driving under influence of liquor or drugs

(DC Code section 50-2201.05)

Florida Crash involving death or personal injuries

(FS 316.027)
Crashes involving damage to vehicle or property (FS 316.061)

Georgia Accidents; duties of drivers

(Georgia Code 40-6-270)

Hawaii Accidents and Accident Reports

(HRS sections 291C-11 to 291C-15)

Idaho Accidents

(ID Statutes Title 49, Ch. 13)

Illinois Accidents

(625 ILCS 5/11-401 to 5/11-416)

Indiana Accidents and Accident Reports

(Indiana Code Title 9, Article 26)

Iowa Information and aid - leaving scene of accident

(IA Code section 321.263)

Kansas Accidents and Accident Reports

(KS Statutes Ch. 8, Article 16)

Kentucky Duty in case of accident

[PDF] (KRS 189.580)

Louisiana Accident reports

(LRS 32:398)

Maine Accidents involving death or personal injury

(MRS Title 29-A section 2252)
Accidents involving vehicle damage (MRS Title 29-A section 2253)

Maryland Accidents and Accident Reports

(MD Transp. Code Title 20)

Massachusetts Accident reports

(90 MGL section 26)

Michigan Accidents

(MI Vehicle Code sections 257.617 to 257.624b)

Minnesota Accidents

(MN Statute 169.09)

Mississippi Accidents and Reports

(MS Code Title 63, Ch. 3 scroll to Article 9)

Montana Accidents involving death or personal injuries

(MCA section 61-7-103)
Accidents involving damage to vehicle (MCA section 61-7-104)

Missouri Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident

(MRS 577.060)

Nebraska Motor vehicle accident; duty to stop

(R.R.S. Nebr. ยง 60-696)

Nevada Duty to stop...accident involving death or personal injury

(NRS 484.219)
Duty to stop...accident involving damage to vehicle or property (NRS 484.221)

New Hampshire Conduct after accident

(NH Statutes 264:25)

New Jersey Action in case of accident

(NJ Statutes 39:4-129)

New Mexico Accidents

(NMS Ch. 66, Article 7, Part 3)

New York Leaving scene of an accident without reporting

(NY Vehicle & Traffic Code section 600)

North Carolina Duty to stop in event of accident or collision

(NCGS section 20-166)

North Dakota Accidents involving death or personal injuries

[PDF] (ND Code Chapter 39-08 scroll to 39-08-04)
Accidents involving damage to vehicle [PDF] (ND Code Chapter 39-08 scroll to 39-08-05)

Ohio Failure to stop after accident involving property of others

(ORC section 4549.03)

Oklahoma Accidents involving non-fatal injury

(OK Statute 47-10-102)
Accidents involving death (OK Statute 47-10-102.1)
Accidents involving damage to vehicle (OK Statute 47-10-103)

Oregon Rules of the Road: Accidents, Duties, and Reports

[PDF] (OR Vehicle Code scroll to 811.700 to 811.740)

Pennsylvania Miscellaneous Provisions: Accidents and Accident Reports

[PDF] (PA Vehicle Code Ch. 37; scroll to Subchapter C)

Rhode Island Accidents and Accident Reports

(RI Code Ch. 31-26)

South Carolina Duties of drivers involved in accident

(SC Code scroll to sections 56-5-1210 to 56-5-1260)

South Dakota Accidents and Accident Reports

(SD Codified Laws Ch. 32-34)

Tennessee Accidents involving death or personal injury

(TN Code section 55-10-101)

Texas Accidents and Accident Reports

(TX Transp. Code Ch. 550)

Utah Accidents...-- Duties of operator

(UT Code 41-6a-401)

Vermont Accidents; duty to stop

(23 VSA section 1128)

Virginia Accidents; duty of driver to stop

(VA Code 46.2-894)

Washington Accidents - reports

(RCW Chapter 46.52)

West Virginia Accidents involving damage to vehicle

(WV Code section 17C-4-2)
Accidents involving death or personal injuries (WV Code section 17C-4-1)

Wisconsin Accidents and Accident Reports

[PDF] (WI Code Chapter 341 scroll to Subchapter XI)

Wyoming Accidents; duty to stop

(WY Statutes Title 31, Ch. 5, Article 11)

Get Legal Advice on Your Hit and Run Case

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense, resulting in penalties ranging from the loss of driving privileges to incarceration. If you've been injured by a motorist who left the scene instead of stopping, you may be able to claim compensation. To learn more, you can speak with a traffic ticket attorney.

From FindLaw  Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

Can't find what you're looking for?

Post a free question on our public forum.
Ask a Question
Search for lawyers by practice areas.
Find a Lawyer