, 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.

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

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.

MORE: Hit-and-run insurance and claims

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.

MORE:

Indiana car accident laws

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 may have their

license 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

Your

driver’s license

to 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.

MORE:

What to do after a car accident

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

MORE:

What should I do if my car accident claim was denied?

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

, the

trustworthy comparison shopping super app

, can help you find the best coverage at the best pricing.

Instead of waiting on hold or filling out endless forms, you can simply download the app and have access to competitive quotes from over 55 top insurance companies. Once you’ve found the best pricing, Jerry will take care of the rest—including canceling your old policy.

“I thought my previous insurance rate was fair given the model of car I drive, but after
Jerry
gave 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.