Vermont
Vermont Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Vermont criminalizes leaving the scene of a crash under 23 V.S.A. Section 1128, with penalties ranging from a misdemeanor carrying up to two years in jail for property damage to a felony carrying up to 15 years in prison when a crash causes death.
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 Vermont Car Accident Settlement Calculator.
Overview of Vermont Hit and Run Laws
Last verified: March 2026. This page reflects current 23 V.S.A. Section 1128 and applicable penalty classifications as amended through 2025.
Under 23 V.S.A. Section 1128, any driver involved in a crash that causes injury to another person or damage to property must immediately stop, provide reasonable assistance, and share identifying information. Leaving the scene without meeting these obligations is a criminal offense in Vermont.
Penalties depend on the severity of the crash. A hit and run involving only property damage or minor injury is a misdemeanor carrying up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine. When the crash causes serious bodily injury, the offense becomes a felony with up to five years in prison. If someone dies, the driver who fled faces one to 15 years behind bars.
Vermont is a fault state, meaning the at-fault driver bears financial responsibility for damages. The state follows a modified comparative negligence system under 12 V.S.A. Section 1036, which uses the 51% bar rule. If you are 51% or more at fault for the crash, you cannot recover damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Driver Duties After an Accident in Vermont
Section 1128 spells out exactly what drivers must do after a crash. Failing to perform any of these duties can result in criminal charges.
Stop Immediately
You must bring your vehicle to a stop as close to the crash scene as possible without blocking traffic more than necessary. Under 23 V.S.A. Section 1102, if your vehicle creates a hazard, you should move it to a safe location. However, if someone has died or suffered serious injuries, or if you were carrying hazardous materials, do not move your vehicle until investigators finish their work.
Render Reasonable Assistance
You must provide reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured. This includes calling emergency services and, if the injured person requests it or it is clearly necessary, transporting them to a physician or hospital.
Provide Identifying Information
You must give the following information to any injured person, property owner, or law enforcement officer at the scene:
- Your full name
- Your residence address
- Your driver license number
- The name of the vehicle owner (if different from the driver)
Report the Crash
Under 23 V.S.A. Section 1129, you must file a written crash report with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles within 72 hours if the crash involves:
- Death of any person
- Injury to any person
- Total property damage of $3,000 or more
The report must be mailed using forms provided by the Commissioner. You should use the quickest available means of communication to notify law enforcement as soon as possible.
Unattended Vehicle or Property Collisions
If you strike an unattended vehicle or property and cannot locate the owner, you must leave a written note in a visible spot on the damaged property. The note must include your name, address, vehicle registration number, and contact information. If property damage exceeds $3,000, you must also notify law enforcement.
When Hit and Run Is a Misdemeanor in Vermont
Vermont classifies crimes punishable by two years or less of imprisonment as misdemeanors. Under Section 1128(a), leaving the scene of a crash that involves property damage or non-serious injury carries:
- A maximum fine of $2,000
- Up to 2 years imprisonment
- Or both
A mandatory $50 surcharge is added to any fine, which goes to the DUI Enforcement Fund.
Examples of misdemeanor hit and run include striking a parked car and driving away, sideswiping a mailbox or fence without stopping, or leaving the scene of a fender bender where no one is seriously hurt.
Criminal Statute of Limitations
Under 13 V.S.A. Section 4501, the statute of limitations for misdemeanor offenses is three years from the date of the offense. Prosecutors must file charges within that window.
When Hit and Run Is a Felony in Vermont
Crimes punishable by more than two years of imprisonment are felonies under Vermont law. Section 1128(b) and (c) establish felony-level penalties for more serious hit and run offenses.
Serious Bodily Injury (Section 1128(b))
Leaving the scene of a crash that causes serious bodily injury carries:
- Up to 5 years imprisonment
- A maximum fine of $3,000
- Or both
Serious bodily injury under Vermont law means any injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes permanent disfigurement, prolonged loss of function, or prolonged impairment of any bodily organ. Examples include organ damage, severe burns, facial disfigurement, and limb amputation.
Death (Section 1128(c))
Leaving the scene of a fatal crash carries the harshest penalties:
- Not less than 1 year imprisonment
- Up to 15 years imprisonment
- A maximum fine of $3,000
- Or both
This is one of the few Vermont traffic offenses that carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence.
Criminal Statute of Limitations for Felonies
For felony hit and run charges not specifically listed in 13 V.S.A. Section 4501, the general statute of limitations is three years. However, if the crash results in death and the charge is elevated to manslaughter, there is no statute of limitations.
DUI Hit and Run in Vermont
When a driver flees the scene while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the consequences escalate significantly. Under 23 V.S.A. Section 1210 and related DUI provisions:
- DUI causing serious bodily injury: Up to 15 years in prison and a $5,000 fine
- DUI causing death: Up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
Each victim counts as a separate offense. A driver who causes a crash while intoxicated that injures three people could face three separate felony charges, each carrying up to 15 years.
Penalties Summary Table
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Jail/Prison | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property damage or non-serious injury | Misdemeanor | 2 years | $2,000 |
| Serious bodily injury | Felony | 5 years | $3,000 |
| Death | Felony | 1 to 15 years | $3,000 |
| DUI causing serious injury | Felony | 15 years | $5,000 |
| DUI causing death | Felony | 15 years | $10,000 |
All hit and run convictions include a mandatory $50 surcharge for the DUI Enforcement Fund. A conviction may also result in license suspension or revocation at the discretion of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
Insurance Implications After a Hit and Run
Vermont is a fault state, so the at-fault driver is financially responsible for the other party's damages. But what happens when the at-fault driver flees and is never identified?
Under 23 V.S.A. Section 941, every auto insurance policy issued in Vermont must include uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This coverage specifically applies to hit-and-run crashes where the other driver is unidentified.
Vermont Minimum UM/UIM Coverage
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
If your liability coverage limits exceed those minimums, your UM/UIM limits must match your liability limits unless you direct your insurer otherwise in writing. This means most Vermont drivers carry more than the minimum UM/UIM coverage.
Steps to File a UM Claim After a Hit and Run
- Report the crash to law enforcement immediately
- Document the scene with photos and witness contact information
- Seek medical attention for any injuries
- Notify your insurance company as soon as possible
- File a written crash report with the Vermont DMV within 72 hours
Vermont Crash Statistics
According to Vermont State Police and Vermont Agency of Transportation data:
- 61 traffic fatalities occurred on Vermont roads in 2025, up from 58 in 2024
- The 10-year average for traffic fatalities is approximately 65 per year
- Vermont saw highway deaths increase in 2025 after two consecutive years of decline
- Historical averages have dropped significantly: 137 per year in the 1970s, 78 in the 2000s, and 62 in the 2010s
- The 2020s average has ticked up slightly to 66 deaths per year
Vermont's small population and rural road network create a different crash profile than larger states. Winter driving conditions, winding mountain roads, and encounters with wildlife contribute to the state's unique crash patterns. Hit-and-run incidents remain a concern, particularly during months with reduced visibility and icy roads.
Vermont Good Samaritan Law
Title 12, Section 519 establishes Vermont's Good Samaritan law, which creates a legal duty to assist others in certain situations. Vermont is one of the few states that requires bystanders to help.
The law states that any person who knows another is exposed to grave physical harm must provide reasonable assistance, as long as doing so does not put the helper in danger or interfere with important duties owed to others.
Key points about the Good Samaritan law:
- Failure to assist is punishable by a maximum fine of $100
- If you caused the accident or fled the scene, a court may impose punitive damages in any civil lawsuit
- People who provide reasonable emergency assistance are protected from civil liability unless their actions amount to gross negligence
This law reinforces the duties under Section 1128. A driver who leaves the scene of a crash may face both criminal hit and run charges and a separate penalty for failing to render assistance under the Good Samaritan law.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is hit and run a felony in Vermont?
It depends on the severity of the crash. Hit and run involving only property damage or non-serious injury is a misdemeanor (up to 2 years jail). Hit and run causing serious bodily injury is a felony (up to 5 years prison). Hit and run causing death is a felony carrying 1 to 15 years in prison.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Vermont?
Under 23 V.S.A. Section 1129, you have 72 hours to file a written crash report with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles if the crash involves death, injury, or property damage of $3,000 or more. You should notify law enforcement as soon as possible using the quickest available means.
What is the statute of limitations for hit and run in Vermont?
For misdemeanor hit and run (property damage or minor injury), the statute of limitations is three years under 13 V.S.A. Section 4501. For felony hit and run, the general limit is also three years. If the charge involves manslaughter (death), there is no statute of limitations.
Does my insurance cover me if I am the victim of a hit and run in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont law (23 V.S.A. Section 941) requires every auto insurance policy to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which specifically covers hit-and-run crashes where the other driver is unidentified. Minimum UM coverage is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury.
Can I leave the scene of an accident to get help for an injured person?
Yes. Vermont law allows you to transport an injured person to a physician or hospital if they request it or if it is clearly necessary. You must report the crash to law enforcement as soon as possible afterward and return to the scene if practical.
Injured in Vermont? Get a free case review from a personal-injury attorney
If someone else's negligence caused your injury, you may be owed compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Get a free, no-obligation review from a Vermont personal-injury attorney. Most work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost.
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on 8 statutory provisions held in our own legal record, each retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 12: Court Procedure, Chapter 27: Pleading and Practice, Subchapter: PLEADINGS GENERALLY
§ 1036Contributory and comparative negligenceIn forcecited in 7 of our articles
(a) Contributory negligence shall not bar recovery in an action by any plaintiff, or the plaintiff’s legal representative, to recover damages for negligence resulting in death, personal injury, or property damage, if the negligence was not greater than the causal total negligence of the defendant or defendants, but the damage shall be diminished by general verdict in proportion to the amount of negligence attributed to the plaintiff. Where recovery is allowed against more than one defendant, each defendant shall be liable for that proportion of the total dollar amount awarded as damages in the ratio of the amount of the defendant’s causal negligence to the amount of causal negligence attributed to all defendants against whom recovery is allowed. (b) Contributory and comparative negligence shall be prohibited as a defense to limit a plaintiff’s recovery for damages in an action for a negligence claim relating to a sexual act as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 3251 or sexual conduct as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2821. (Added 1969, No. 234 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. date see note; amended 1979, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 5, 1980; 2023, No. 90 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 22, 2024.)
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights, Vermont Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim, Motorcycle Accident Laws in Vermont (2026): Deadlines & Helmets
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 12: Court Procedure, Chapter 23: Limitation of Time for Commencement of Actions, Subchapter: ACTIONS LIMITED
§ 519Emergency medical careIn force
(a) A person who knows that another is exposed to grave physical harm shall, to the extent that the same can be rendered without danger or peril to himself or herself or without interference with important duties owed to others, give reasonable assistance to the exposed person unless that assistance or care is being provided by others. (b) A person who provides reasonable assistance in compliance with subsection (a) of this section shall not be liable in civil damages unless his or her acts constitute gross negligence or unless he or she will receive or expects to receive remuneration. Nothing contained in this subsection shall alter existing law with respect to tort liability of a practitioner of the healing arts for acts committed in the ordinary course of his or her practice. (c) A person who willfully violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than $100.00. (1967, No. 309 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 2-4, eff. March 22, 1968.)
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 151: Limitation of Prosecutions and Actions
§ 4501Limitation of prosecutions for certain crimesIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Prosecutions for aggravated sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a minor as defined in subsection 3258(c) of this title, human trafficking, aggravated human trafficking, murder, manslaughter, arson causing death, and kidnapping may be commenced at any time after the commission of the offense. (b) Prosecutions for lewd and lascivious conduct, sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult under subsection 1379(a) of this title, grand larceny, robbery, burglary, embezzlement, forgery, bribery offenses, false claims, fraud under 33 V.S.A. § 141(d), and felony tax offenses shall be commenced within six years after the commission of the offense, and not after. (c) Prosecutions for any of the following offenses shall be commenced within 40 years after the commission of the offense, and not after: (1) lewd and lascivious conduct alleged to have been committed against a child under 18 years of age; (2) maiming; (3) lewd or lascivious conduct with a child; (4) sexual exploitation of children under chapter 64 of this title; and (5) sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult under subsection 1379(b) of this title.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 13: Operation of Vehicles, Subchapter: STOPPING, STANDING, AND PARKING
§ 1102Removal of stopped vehiclesIn force
(a) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, any enforcement officer is authorized to: (1) cause the removal of a vehicle stopped, parked, or standing contrary to section 1101 of this title or require the driver or other person in charge to move the vehicle to a safe position off the main-traveled part of the highway; (2) cause the removal of an unattended vehicle or cargo that is an obstruction to traffic or to maintenance of the highway to a garage or other place of safety; and (3) cause the removal of any vehicle found upon a highway, as defined in 19 V.S.A. § 1, to a garage or other place of safety when: (A) the officer is informed by a reliable source that the vehicle has been stolen or taken without the consent of its owner; (B) the person in charge of the vehicle is unable to provide for its removal; or (C) the person in charge of the vehicle has been arrested under circumstances that require his or her immediate removal from control of the vehicle. (b) In the case of a crash involving a serious bodily injury or fatality, clearance of the crash scene may be delayed until the crash investigation is completed.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 13: Operation of Vehicles, Subchapter: MISCELLANEOUS RULES
§ 1128Crashes; duty to stopIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) The operator of a motor vehicle who has caused or is involved in a crash resulting in injury to any person other than the operator, or in damage to any property other than the vehicle then under his or her control, shall immediately stop and render any assistance reasonably necessary. Subsection 1102(g) of this title (stopping not to impede traffic or jeopardize safety; exceptions) governs the location where a person shall stop. The operator shall give his or her name, residence, license number, and the name of the owner of the motor vehicle to any person who is injured or whose property is damaged and to any enforcement officer. A person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $2,000.00 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both. (b) If serious bodily injury results from the crash, a person violating subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than $3,000.00 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. (c) If death results from the crash, a person violating subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than $3,000.00 or imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than 15 years, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Hit and Run Laws in the United States (2026 Guide)
§ 1129Crashes; reportsIn force
(a) The operator of a motor vehicle involved in a crash in which someone is injured or there is total property damage of $3,000.00 or more shall make a written report concerning the crash to the Commissioner on forms furnished by the Commissioner. The written report shall be mailed to the Commissioner within 72 hours after the crash. The Commissioner may require further facts concerning the crash be provided upon forms he or she furnishes. (b) As used in this section, the word “crash” only refers to incidents and events in which the motor vehicle involved comes into physical contact with an individual or object, including another motor vehicle. It shall not include such contact where a vehicle involved is being used by a law enforcement officer as a barrier to prevent passage of a vehicle being operated by a suspected violator of the law. In such cases, the law enforcement officer shall not be required to make a personal written report of the incident.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 13: Operation of Vehicles, Subchapter: DRUNKEN DRIVING
§ 1210PenaltiesIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Screening. Before sentencing a defendant under this section, the court may order that the defendant submit to an alcohol assessment screening. Such a screening report may be considered at sentencing in the same manner as a presentence report. At sentencing, the defendant may present relevant evidence, including the results of any independent alcohol assessment that was conducted at the person’s own expense. Evidence regarding any such screening or an alcohol assessment performed at the expense of the defendant shall not be admissible for any other purpose without the defendant’s consent. (b) First offense. A person who violates section 1201 of this title may be fined not more than $750.00 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both. (c) Second offense. A person convicted of violating section 1201 of this title who has been convicted of another violation of that section within the last 20 years shall be fined not more than $1,500.00 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont DUI Laws: Penalties, BAC Limit & License (2026)
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 11: Financial Responsibility and Insurance, Subchapter: INSURANCE AGAINST UNINSURED, UNDERINSURED, OR UNKNOWN MOTORISTS
§ 941Insurance against uninsured, underinsured, or unknown motoristsIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) No policy insuring against liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of any motor vehicle may be delivered or issued for delivery in this State with respect to any motor vehicle registered or principally garaged in this State unless coverage is provided for the protection of persons insured under the policy or a supplemental policy who are legally entitled to recover damages, from owners or operators of uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run motor vehicles, for bodily injury, sickness, or disease, including death, and for property damages resulting from the ownership, maintenance, or use of such uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run motor vehicle.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
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Sources and References
- 23 V.S.A. Section 1128 - Accidents; Duty to Stop(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. Section 1129 - Crashes; Reports(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. Section 1102 - Stopping After Accident(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. Section 941 - Uninsured Motorist Coverage Requirements(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 12 V.S.A. Section 1036 - Comparative Negligence(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. Section 4501 - Limitation of Prosecutions(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 12 V.S.A. Section 519 - Good Samaritan Law(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. Section 1210 - DUI Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Vermont State Police - Traffic Crash Fatalities(vsp.vermont.gov).gov
- Vermont Agency of Transportation - Crash Data(vtrans.vermont.gov).gov
- Vermont DMV - Crash Reporting Requirements(dmv.vermont.gov).gov