and carries possible penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and imprisonment of up to five years. Additionally, your license may be revoked for one year.

If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run

car accident in Idaho

, you should call the police immediately, do your best to identify the car that hit you, and—if you have the appropriate coverage—file an insurance claim promptly.

It is illegal in every state to leave the scene of an accident without providing the proper information and rendering aid—although punishments vary from state to state.

In this article,

Jerry

is breaking down what to do if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run in Idaho. We'll also cover the penalties of committing a hit-and-run.

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What is a hit-and-run?

A hit-and-run occurs when a driver is in an accident with a pedestrian, car, or a fixed object, and flees the scene without providing identification, insurance information, and/or aid to anyone who is hurt.

A hit-and-run doesn’t specify fault—a crime is committed when either driver leaves the scene, regardless of who caused the accident. Most states allow for a driver to temporarily leave the accident site to get emergency help, but if you don’t come back, you could be charged with a hit-and-run.

What happens if you commit a hit-and-run in Idaho?

If you leave the scene of an accident and are found guilty of a hit-and-run, you could face serious legal and financial consequences— including fines, license suspension, and possible imprisonment.

It is best to avoid this charge entirely by remaining calm and staying at the accident site until you have fulfilled the requirements of the law.

Is a hit-and-run a felony in Idaho?

In Idaho, a hit-and-run can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony—depending on the result of the accident.

If the collision caused property damage only, it will be tried as a misdemeanor. A hit-and-run that caused injury or death is tried as a felony.

What is the punishment for a hit-and-run in Idaho?

The severity of the punishment depends on whether the crime is a misdemeanor or a felony.

If you commit a hit-and-run that results in property damage only, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. You will have to pay up to $1,000 in fines and/or spend up to 6 months in county jail.

If you commit a hit-and-run that results in injury or death, you will be charged with a felony and will have to pay up to $5,000 in fines and/or spend up to 5 years in state prison.

Your driving privileges may be revoked for up to one year after a hit-and-run. You will also be responsible for paying for the driver or property owner’s losses, such as vehicle repair.

Here’s how the penalties work:

Damages	Charge	Fines	Imprisonment	License revocation
Property damage only	Misdemeanor hit-and-run	Up to $1,000	Up to 6 months	1 year
Injury or death	Felony hit-and-run	Up to $5,000	Up to 5 years	1 year

How to avoid a hit-and-run charge

According to

Idaho State Statute 49-1301

, if you’re involved in an accident, you “shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident, or as close as possible, and shall immediately return to, and in every event shall remain at, the scene of the accident until [you have] fulfilled the requirements of law.”

If you are involved in an accident, follow these steps to avoid a hit-and-run charge:

Immediately stop your car at the scene of the accident or as close as possible—trying not to obstruct traffic.

Locate the driver of the other vehicle or the owner of the property you damaged.

Present your license and registration, address, and insurance information to the driver or owner of the property struck.

If the owner of the property cannot be found, leave a detailed note with the above information.

Report the accident to the police immediately if property damage totals over $1,500 or if someone is injured or dead.

Idaho State Statute 18-8007

states that you must also “render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance,” including getting him or her access to medical attention if necessary.

MORE:

Idaho DUI laws

What should I do if I experience a hit-and-run in Idaho?

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run in Idaho, you should stay calm and stay at the scene. Gather as much evidence about the accident as you can—like the color, make, and model of the car that hit you—and report the crime to the police as soon as possible.

At the scene

Do not try to follow the car that hit you. Stay at the accident site or move your car to a safe nearby location if necessary. Call 911 to report the accident to the police and/or to request medical attention.

When reporting the crime to the police, try to provide as much information as possible, including:

The appearance of the driver, if seen

The circumstances of the crash

The license plate number, if seen

The direction that the car was headed

Any unique identifying details of the car

Talk to witnesses if there are any and take down their contact information. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the crash site and damage to your car for documentation.

MORE:

What to do after a car accident

After you leave the scene

The officer at the scene should have filed a police report—you will want to verify this. This report is crucial to helping police find the guilty party and helping you verify your innocence to your insurance company.

If the other driver is arrested or you managed to take down their license plate number, their

liability insurance

should cover the total damage to your vehicle or property.

If you don’t have any information about the driver, filing a claim becomes more difficult.

What insurance covers a hit-and-run?

minimum coverage car insurance policy in Idaho

includes

uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

and

bodily injury liability

unless you rejected these coverage options in writing. If you did not reject these coverage types, they could help pay for your medical bills after a hit-and-run.

If you have a

full coverage policy

, a few other coverage types may help you:

Collision coverage

pays for your vehicle’s repairs after a collision.

Medical payments coverage (MedPay)

may reimburse you for medical expenses sustained in the hit-and-run, up to your policy limit.

It’s best to check with your insurance provider to see what is covered in your policy.

MORE:

SR-22 in Idaho: What you need to know

How to find affordable insurance for collisions and more

Whether you’re a recent victim of a hit-and-run accident or you want to protect yourself against future risk,

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FAQs

Will a hit-and-run affect my insurance?

If you are the victim of a hit and run, your insurance should not go up after the accident.

If you committed a hit-and-run, your insurance premium will almost certainly go up. Idaho drivers who file a hit-and-run claim see their rate increase by an average of $900 per year.

Do I need a lawyer if I’ve committed a hit-and-run?

A hit-and-run is a serious offense in the state of Idaho. If you’ve committed a hit-and-run, it is likely beneficial to seek legal counsel to discuss the circumstances of your case.

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