Minnesota Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Minnesota classifies leaving the scene of an accident as a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony under Minn. Stat. 169.09, depending on harm caused. Property damage carries up to 90 days in jail; for a driver who did not cause the collision, a fatal collision carries up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Hurt in a hit-and-run? If the driver who hit you fled or had no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured-motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may pay your injury claim. Estimate what it could be worth with our free Minnesota Car Accident Settlement Calculator.

Last verified: March 2026. This guide reflects current Minnesota Statutes Section 169.09 and related provisions. Always consult a licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

Quick Summary of Minnesota Hit and Run Laws

Minnesota addresses leaving the scene of an accident under Section 169.09 of the Minnesota Statutes. The law requires all drivers involved in a collision to immediately stop, reasonably investigate what was struck, and provide specific information to the other party.

Penalties range from a misdemeanor for property damage (up to 90 days in jail) to a felony for collisions resulting in death (up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine). The felony tiers of Section 169.09 apply only to a driver who did not cause the collision. A driver who causes a collision and leaves the scene faces criminal vehicular operation or homicide charges under Section 609.2113 or Section 609.2112, which carry significantly harsher penalties.

What Minnesota Law Requires After a Collision

Minnesota Statutes Section 169.09, Subdivision 1 establishes the core duty for all drivers:

"The driver of any motor vehicle involved in a collision shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the collision, or as close to the scene as possible, and reasonably investigate what was struck."

This duty applies to all collisions, whether they involve other vehicles, pedestrians, property, or fixed objects.

Required Information Exchange

After stopping, you must provide the following information to the other party (Subdivision 2):

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• Your mailing or email address
• Your vehicle registration number

You must also show your driver's license to a peace officer upon request.

Insurance Information

If you do not provide your insurer information at the scene, you must provide it within 72 hours of the collision.

Duty to Render Aid

If any person involved in the collision needs medical attention, you must provide reasonable assistance, including arranging transportation to a medical facility if needed.

Striking an Unattended Vehicle

If you hit a parked or unattended vehicle and cannot locate the owner, Minnesota law requires you to leave a written note in a conspicuous place on the vehicle. The note must contain your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You must also report the incident to a peace officer.

Reporting Requirements

Under Subdivision 7, if a collision results in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $1,000, you must report it to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety within 10 days. At the scene, you should notify local police "by the quickest means" if the collision results in injury or death.

Misdemeanor and Gross Misdemeanor Hit and Run Offenses

Leaving the scene of a collision is a misdemeanor in Minnesota when the accident does not result in bodily harm or death. Collisions involving bodily harm move into the gross misdemeanor range.

Property Damage Only

If the collision involves only property damage and you leave without fulfilling your legal obligations, you face:

• Up to 90 days in jail
• A fine of up to $1,000
• Or both

Failure to Leave Information on Unattended Vehicle

Striking a parked vehicle and leaving without providing your contact information is also a misdemeanor with the same penalties.

Damage to Highway Fixtures

If you damage guardrails, signs, or other fixtures adjacent to a highway and fail to notify the responsible authority, you face misdemeanor charges.

Collision Involving Bodily Harm (Not Great Bodily Harm)

If you leave the scene of a collision that results in bodily harm to another person (but not "great bodily harm" or death), you face gross misdemeanor penalties under Subdivision 14(b), or Subdivision 14(a)(3) for substantial bodily harm when you did not cause the collision:

• Up to 364 days in jail
• A fine of up to $3,000
• Or both

Failure to Notify Police of Injury or Death

Failing to notify police "by the quickest means" when an accident involves injury or death violates Subdivision 6. It is not a standalone offense with its own penalty: it is punished through the same Subdivision 14 tiers as leaving the scene, from up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine when bodily harm results, up to the felony penalties below when great bodily harm or death results.

Felony Hit and Run Offenses

Hit and run becomes a felony in Minnesota when the collision results in great bodily harm or death.

Great Bodily Harm (Subdivision 14(a)(2))

If the collision results in "great bodily harm" and you leave the scene without having caused the collision, you face:

• Up to 2 years in prison
• A fine of up to $4,000
• Or both

Under Section 609.02, Subdivision 8, "great bodily harm" means bodily injury that creates a high probability of death, or that causes serious permanent disfigurement, or that causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

Death (Subdivision 14(a)(1))

If the collision results in the death of any person and you leave the scene without having caused the collision, you face:

• Up to 3 years in prison
• A fine of up to $5,000
• Or both

A felony conviction in Minnesota results in permanent loss of your right to possess firearms, among other civil rights restrictions.

Criminal Vehicular Operation (Section 609.2113)

If you cause an accident and leave the scene in violation of Section 169.09, you may face additional charges under Minnesota's Criminal Vehicular Operation statute. These charges apply when the driver who caused the collision leaves the scene in violation of Section 169.09, Subdivision 1 or 6. Penalties vary by severity:

• Bodily harm: Up to 364 days in prison, $3,000 fine
• Substantial bodily harm: Up to 3 years in prison, $10,000 fine
• Great bodily harm: Up to 5 years in prison, $10,000 fine
• Death: Up to 10 years in prison, $20,000 fine (criminal vehicular homicide under Section 609.2112)

Because the felony leaving-the-scene tiers in Section 169.09, Subdivision 14(a) apply only to a driver who did not cause the collision, a driver who caused a collision involving great bodily harm or death is charged under these criminal vehicular operation and homicide statutes instead.

Minnesota Hit and Run Penalties Summary

License Revocation

The court will revoke or suspend your driver's license upon conviction for leaving the scene of an accident. The Commissioner of Public Safety may also suspend your license for willfully failing to file a required accident report.

Minnesota Crash Statistics

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and NHTSA data:

2024 Data:

• Total traffic fatalities: At least 479 deaths, a 12% increase from 2023
• Speed-related fatal crashes: Approximately 121 crashes
• Alcohol-related fatalities: 102 deaths
• Unbelted fatalities: 99 deaths attributed to lack of seat belt use
• Distracted driving fatalities: 27 deaths
• Seat belt usage rate: 94.7% (statewide observational study)
• Economic cost of all crashes: $4.66 billion

2023 Data:

• Total traffic fatalities: Approximately 428 deaths
• Death rate per 100,000 population: 7.5 (below the national average of 12.2)

The state's "Toward Zero Deaths" initiative aims to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities through education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical services.

How Fault Is Determined in Minnesota

No-Fault Insurance System

Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state. After an accident, your own insurance pays for your medical expenses and lost wages under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who caused the collision. PIP coverage is mandatory in Minnesota.

However, for accidents resulting in serious injury or significant damages, victims can step outside the no-fault system and pursue claims against the at-fault driver. If a driver who fled left you seriously hurt, ask a Minnesota car accident lawyer in a free claim review whether your claim can go beyond PIP (attorney advertising).

Modified Comparative Fault Rule

Under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01, Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule:

• You may recover damages only if your share of fault does not exceed 50%.
• If you are 51% or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation.
• Your percentage of fault reduces your recovery proportionally.

Example: If you suffer $100,000 in damages but are found 30% at fault, you would recover $70,000.

Statute of Limitations for Civil Claims

• Personal injury claims: 2 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful death claims: 3 years from the date of death
• Property damage claims: 6 years

Insurance Implications of a Hit and Run

A hit and run conviction in Minnesota creates lasting insurance consequences:

• Premium increases: A leaving-the-scene conviction is classified as a major traffic violation and will trigger significant premium increases.
• Policy cancellation: Your insurer may refuse to renew your coverage.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: If you are the victim of a hit and run, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can help pay for injuries and damage that exceed your PIP benefits.
• Subrogation: Your insurer may pursue the hit and run driver to recover amounts paid on your claim.

Minnesota requires all drivers to carry minimum auto insurance, including $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $10,000 in property damage liability, and PIP coverage.

Affirmative Defense: Emergency Medical Care

Minnesota law provides a specific affirmative defense for drivers who leave the scene to provide emergency medical care. Under Section 169.09, it is a defense to prosecution if:

• The driver left the scene to take a person suffering immediately demonstrable bodily injury to receive emergency medical care.
• The driver gave notice to law enforcement as required by the statute as soon as reasonably feasible after the emergency medical care was undertaken.

This defense applies to violations of Subdivisions 1, 2, and 6 of the statute.

Other Possible Defenses

Depending on the circumstances, these additional defenses may apply:

• Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that a collision occurred. This is more credible in low-speed or minor-contact situations.
• Fear for safety: You reasonably believed that remaining at the scene would endanger your safety.
• Mistaken identity: You were not the driver, or the vehicle was stolen.
• No injury or damage: The collision did not actually result in any injury or property damage.
• Emergency circumstances: You left to seek immediate medical attention for yourself and reported to police promptly.

What to Do After a Collision in Minnesota

Follow these steps to comply with the law and protect your rights:

1. Stop immediately at the scene or as close to the scene as safely possible.
2. Investigate what was struck. This is a specific requirement under Minnesota law.
3. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
4. Exchange information with all other parties: name, date of birth, address, and registration number.
5. Show your driver's license to any peace officer who requests it.
6. Provide insurance information at the scene or within 72 hours.
7. Render reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured.
8. Notify police immediately if anyone is injured or killed.
9. File a written report with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety within 10 days if the accident involved death, injury, or property damage over $1,000.
10. Do not admit fault at the scene. Let investigators make that determination.

Related Resources

Official Sources:

• Minnesota Statutes Section 169.09 (Collisions)
• Minnesota Statutes Section 609.2113 (Criminal Vehicular Operation)
• Minnesota Statutes Section 609.02 (Definitions)
• Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01 (Comparative Fault)
• Minnesota DPS Traffic Safety Reports

Other Minnesota Laws:

• Minnesota Recording Laws
• Minnesota Car Seat Laws
• Minnesota Statute of Limitations
• Minnesota Whistleblower Laws

More Minnesota Laws

• Minnesota Car Accident Laws
• Minnesota Statute of Limitations

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to report an accident in Minnesota?

You must report accidents resulting in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety within 10 days. At the scene, you should notify local police by the quickest means if the collision results in injury or death.

Can I be charged with hit and run if the accident was not my fault?

Yes. Minnesota law requires all drivers involved in a collision to stop and fulfill their legal obligations, regardless of who caused the accident. Fault is a separate matter determined later by investigators, insurers, or the courts.

What if I hit someone's mailbox, fence, or other property?

You must take reasonable steps to locate and notify the property owner, provide your name, address, and license plate number, and report the incident to police. Leaving without doing so is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Will my license be suspended for a hit and run conviction?

Yes. Upon conviction for leaving the scene of an accident, the court will revoke or suspend your driving privileges. The length of suspension depends on the severity of the offense and any prior convictions. The Commissioner may also suspend your license for failing to file a required accident report.

What is the difference between leaving the scene charges and criminal vehicular operation charges?

Leaving the scene charges under Section 169.09 apply to drivers who flee an accident, but the felony tiers for great bodily harm or death apply only to a driver who did not cause the collision. Criminal vehicular operation charges under Section 609.2113 and criminal vehicular homicide charges under Section 609.2112 apply when the driver who caused the accident leaves the scene. They carry much harsher penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for cases involving death.