Indiana Hit-and-Run
In Indiana, you must provide the required information, report the accident to the police, and file a claim within 24 hours after a hit-and-run.
In Indiana, a hit-and-run can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony and possible penalties include up to $10,000 in fines, a prison term of six months to six years, and driver’s license suspension.
Getting into an accident is scary stuff and can cause a person to panic and flee the scene—but committing a hit-and-run is an extremely serious offense carrying extensive penalties.
If you’ve ever been a victim of a hit-and-run,
Jerry
the super app is on your side. In this article, we’ll go over what defines a hit-and-run, how to handle one—including how to file your car insurance
claim—and the possible penalties for hit-and-runs in Indiana. We'll also cover how to reduce your Indiana car insurance costs
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What is a hit-and-run?
A
hit-and-run
is defined as a type of accident in which a driver collides with another vehicle, person, or property and leaves the scene without stopping. If you hit another party with your vehicle, you are required by law to stop and provide your personal information and proof of insurance
to all others involved. Take note that it doesn’t matter whether or not you committed the accident—leaving the scene of an accident without stopping and providing the required information is illegal and can result in criminal charges.
What happens if you commit a hit-and-run in Indiana?
If you are involved in an auto accident, do not leave the scene of the accident even if you are not to blame. Failure to supply your contact and insurance information to the other involved parties can lead to serious criminal charges and financial costs.
Is a hit-and-run a felony in Indiana?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, a hit-and-run in Indiana can be tried as either a misdemeanor or felony.
Collision with an unattended or attended vehicle that only caused property damage is charged as a Class B misdemeanor, but if there is some injury to another person, it is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. More serious bodily injury and death will earn you a felony charge.
Even if you didn’t cause the accident or the resulting injuries are only minor, you can still be tried for criminal charges in Indiana if you leave the scene without following the proper protocol.
What is the punishment for a hit-and-run in Indiana?
In Indiana, the penalties for a hit-and-run depend on the extent of damages to property and life.
If you collide with either an unattended or attended vehicle and only cause property damage, the maximum sentence is imprisonment for 180 days and a $1,000 fine. If the hit-and-run results in someone’s injury or death, you could spend up to 12 years in prison and be fined $10,000.
Here are the typical punishments from a hit-and-run violation:
Result of accident | Potential punishment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Property damage only | Class B misdemeanor | Up to 180 days in jail | Fine up to $1,000 |
Minor injuries | Class A misdemeanor | Up to one 1 year in jail | Fine up to $1,000 |
Serious bodily injury | Level 6 felony | 6 months-2.5 years in jail | Fine up to $10,000 |
Death | Level 5 felony | 1-6 years in jail | Fine up to 10,000 |
According to
Indiana Vehicle Code IC 9-30-5-4
, a person who causes serious bodily injury to another person while driving intoxicated commits a Level 3 felony, with penalties being imprisonment for two to twelve years and possible fines up to $10,000. In addition to the potential jail time, a person’s
driver’s license may be suspended
for up to the length of the maximum sentence. For example, if the offense is a Class A misdemeanor, you could receive up to a one-year license suspension.Key Takeaway You should never flee the scene of an accident—failure to stay at the scene is considered a hit-and-run can result in serious penalties.
How to avoid a hit-and-run charge
According to code 9-26-1-1.1, as the driver involved in an accident you must either stop their vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the accident as possible in a “manner that does not obstruct traffic more than is necessary” and remain at the scene until you provide the following required information to the respective parties:
- Your name, address, and vehicle registration number to all parties involved in the accident
- Yourdriver’s licenseto all parties involved in the accident or any person attending to any vehicle involved in the accident
By law, if an accident results in injury or death the driver must provide reasonable assistance and report the accident as soon as possible to one of the following:
- Within a municipality: The local police department
- Outside a municipality: The office of the county sheriff or the nearest state police department
- A 911 telephone operator
If the accident involves a collision with an unattended vehicle or causes damage to property other than a vehicle, the driver must take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner. If the owner cannot be located, the driver must contact law enforcement and provide the required information.
If you knowingly or intentionally fail to comply with the law and leave the scene of the accident, you will be punished with at least a Class B misdemeanor charge.
What should I do if I experience a hit-and-run in Indiana?
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, do not panic and flee. Instead, remain calm, document the accident details, and report the hit-and-run immediately.
At the scene
Do not chase the fleeing vehicle. If it’s necessary, move your car to a safe location. Check on everyone involved and call 911 if medical assistance is needed. Contact the police and try to collect as much of the following information as possible:
- How the crash happened
- Any involved license plate numbers
- The make, model, color, and body style of the fleeing vehicle
- Identifying characteristics of the vehicle (dents, bumper stickers, body mods, etc.)
- Any damages to the fleeing vehicle
- The driver’s appearance
- Which direction the car was headed
Speak with any witnesses present at the scene and inspect the scene for any other clues on the road such as debris or skid marks. If you’re physically able, take photos of the damages to your car and the accident scene so you have physical evidence.
After you leave the scene
Confirm that the reporting police officer files a report. This report can do two things: first, it could help lead to the offender, and second, it backs up any claims you make to your insurance company.
It is essential to file an insurance claim within 24 hours after the hit-and-run. If you or the police find out the culprit’s identity or license plate number, their
liability insurance
should compensate for the damages and your insurance company will resume the claims process like any other accident. Without information about the other driver or their vehicle, filing a claim is more difficult. The liability insurance by itself can’t cover you. If you have
collision insurance
, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
, medical payments (MedPay) coverage
, or personal injury protection (PIP)
, however, you might be covered. What insurance covers a hit-and-run?
Insurance type | Will it cover a hit-and-run? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Collision coverage | Yes | You may need to pay the deductible first |
Uninsured motorist coverage | Maybe | Confirm with your insurance company to see if your policy covers hit-and-runs |
Medical payments (MedPay) coverage | Yes | Will only cover what health insurance doesn’t. You may need to pay a deductible |
Personal injury protection (PIP) | Yes | It could also cover lost wages and other accident-related costs |
How to find affordable insurance for collisions and more
If you want to be prepared for not only hit-and-runs but for anything else down the road,
Jerry
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“I thought my previous insurance rate was fair given the model of car I drive, but afterJerrygave me quotes, I realized I could pay only $84 a month for the same coverage through Plymouth Rock. I plan to shop for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Jill I.
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