Kentucky Hit and Run Laws (2026 Guide)

Last verified: January 2026. This guide reflects current Kentucky law under KRS 189.580.

📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)

Quick Summary: Kentucky Hit and Run Laws

  • Property damage only: Class A misdemeanor, up to 12 months jail, $500 fine
  • Serious injury or death: Class D felony, 1 to 5 years prison, $10,000 fine
  • Reporting deadline: 10 days for accidents with $500+ damage
  • Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” insurance state
  • Statute of limitations: 2 years for personal injury, 1 year for wrongful death

Penalties for Hit and Run in Kentucky

Under KRS 189.580, Kentucky law requires drivers involved in accidents to stop, provide information, and render assistance. The penalties depend on whether the accident resulted in property damage only, or involved injury or death.

Criminal Penalties by Offense Level

Offense Type Classification Maximum Penalty
Property damage only Class A Misdemeanor Up to 12 months jail, $500 fine
Serious injury or death Class D Felony 1 to 5 years prison, $10,000 fine
Failure to report accident Infraction Fine

Additional consequences: Beyond criminal penalties, a conviction may result in license suspension or revocation, increased insurance rates, and civil liability.

Driver Duties After an Accident in Kentucky

KRS 189.580 outlines the specific requirements for drivers involved in accidents:

  1. Stop immediately at the scene or as close as possible
  2. Provide information: name, address, and vehicle registration number
  3. Show your driver’s license upon request
  4. Render reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including arranging medical transport
  5. Remain at the scene until all requirements are fulfilled
  6. Report the accident within 10 days if damage exceeds $500

When NOT to Move Your Vehicle

Do not move your vehicle if:

  • The accident results in death or serious injury
  • A victim is still in or under the vehicle
  • Your vehicle contains hazardous materials
  • Emergency responders or police have not yet completed their investigation

Kentucky law allows any person with a valid license to move an involved vehicle if the driver is unable to do so. Peace officers may also move vehicles without consent and are not liable for resulting damage.

Property Damage Offenses

Leaving the scene of an accident that causes only property damage is a Class A misdemeanor. This includes:

  • Striking a parked vehicle
  • Damaging property (fences, mailboxes, structures)
  • Any collision without bodily injury

Striking an Unattended Vehicle

If you cannot locate the owner of an unattended vehicle you struck:

“[The driver shall] locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle or other property of his or her name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving or shall attach securely in a conspicuous place in or on such vehicle or other property a written notice giving his or her name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, or shall file a report with the local police department.”

KRS 189.580(2)

Injury and Death Offenses

When an accident results in serious bodily injury or death, leaving the scene becomes a Class D felony. This carries:

  • 1 to 5 years in prison
  • Up to $10,000 in fines
  • Potential license revocation
  • Civil liability for damages

The requirement to render assistance means you must help injured persons, which may include calling 911, providing first aid if trained, or arranging transportation to a medical facility.

Kentucky Crash Statistics

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data from 2023:

  • Total traffic fatalities: 814 deaths
  • Death rate: 18.0 per 100,000 population (above national average of 12.2)
  • Death rate per miles traveled: 1.66 per 100 million vehicle miles
  • Vehicle miles traveled: 49.0 billion miles

Breakdown by road user type (2023):

  • Car occupants: 252 deaths (31%)
  • Pickup and SUV occupants: 269 deaths (33%)
  • Motorcyclists: 106 deaths (13%)
  • Pedestrians: 121 deaths (15%)
  • Bicyclists: 16 deaths (2%)

Kentucky has a higher than average fatality rate, with 61% of crash deaths occurring on rural roads.

How Fault is Determined in Kentucky

Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” insurance state. All drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, but you can opt out of the no-fault system. This affects how claims are handled:

  • No-fault coverage: Your own insurance pays for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault
  • At-fault claims: You can pursue a claim against the other driver for serious injuries or damages exceeding PIP limits

Proving Negligence

To recover damages from the at-fault driver, you must prove:

  1. The driver owed you a duty of care
  2. The driver breached that duty
  3. Your injuries resulted from the breach

Comparative fault: Kentucky follows a pure comparative fault rule. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover even if you are partially responsible.

Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges

Kentucky law recognizes several defenses to hit and run charges:

  • Lack of knowledge: You were unaware an accident occurred
  • Involuntary departure: You were unconscious or incapacitated and someone else moved you
  • Safety concerns: You reasonably feared for your physical safety at the scene
  • Compliance: You fulfilled all legal requirements before leaving
  • Refusal: The other party refused to accept your information
  • Not the driver: Someone else was operating the vehicle at the time

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If the accident causes $500 or more in damage and police do not investigate at the scene, you have 10 days to file a written report with the Kentucky State Police.

Is hit and run a felony in Kentucky?

Property damage only is a Class A misdemeanor. If the accident results in serious physical injury or death, leaving the scene is a Class D felony.

What is the statute of limitations for accident claims?

For personal injury claims, you have 2 years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is 1 year from the date of death. Property damage claims have a 5-year statute of limitations.

What if someone else was driving my car when they left the scene?

You may still face civil liability as the vehicle owner. However, criminal charges require proving you were the driver at the time of the accident.

Can I be charged even if the accident was not my fault?

Yes. The duty to stop and render assistance applies to all drivers involved in an accident, regardless of who caused the collision. Criminal hit and run charges are separate from civil fault determinations.

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