The Penalties for Leaving the Scene of an Accident

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A car accident can be a frightening and traumatic experience for all involved. While a vast majority of car accidents end in property damage and no injuries, being in a severe accident can cause some people to panic and leave the scene.

Alcohol may be involved, they might be scared, have no driver’s license or insurance, or they may be in a stolen vehicle. Drivers that leave the scene of an accident can be charged with hit-and-run.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety collects statistics regarding hit-and-run accidents. In 2015, there were a total of 737,100 hit-and-run accidents reported nationally. There were 138,500 people injured in these accidents, and 2,049 fatalities. Hit-and-run accidents accounted for nearly 12% of all crashes. The penalties for a hit-and-run can vary widely from state-to-state and can depend heavily on the amount of property damage and whether there are injuries.

There are many reasons a person may leave the scene of a car accident, but most states have laws making doing so illegal. Leaving the scene of a crash involving just property damage is a misdemeanor, but it is a felony in most states to leave the scene involving injury or death. In most cases, a person who leaves the scene of an accident is looking at a minimum of a traffic citation, fines, and other fees. Some states may require jail time.

While individual state laws apply, there are some states where there is no need to contact police provided a few conditions are met. The different parties may go their separate ways if there has been no damage, no injury, and there is no need for a police report. However, if you are in any doubt, always err on the side of caution and contact the police.

The law requires that persons involved in an accident to stop at the scene or as close as is reasonably safe and exchange information with the other driver. Indiana law requires this even if there are no injuries. Both drivers must remain at the scene until first responders and police arrive and complete their investigation.

Getting involved in an accident only to watch the other driver keep going or speed away can be a shocking experience. Although you may be shocked and angry, keeping a cool head will help you act according to the situation. Making notes about the following observations can help law enforcement to catch those responsible.

Try to get a physical description of the driver, including age, gender, approximate age, clothing, and hair color.
A physical description of the other vehicle, including color, make, model, and license plate information, if possible. Any details you can remember can make it easier for law enforcement to find the vehicle.

Making sure that you remain calm in the wake of an accident can ensure that you know exactly what to do and what not to do.