Louisiana Hit and Run Laws (2026 Guide)

Last verified: January 2026. This guide reflects current Louisiana Revised Statutes. Always consult a licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)

Quick Summary

  • Governing statute: Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:100 (Hit and Run Driving)
  • Felony threshold: Accidents resulting in death or serious bodily injury
  • Maximum felony penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment (20 years with prior convictions), plus $5,000 fine
  • Misdemeanor penalty: Up to 6 months in jail, $500 fine
  • Reporting deadline: 24 hours from the time of the accident
  • License consequences: Mandatory suspension upon conviction
  • Fault system: Louisiana follows “comparative fault” rules

Louisiana Hit and Run Statute (RS 14:100)

Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 14:100, hit and run driving is defined as the intentional failure of a driver involved in an accident to stop, identify themselves, and render reasonable assistance to anyone who needs it. The statute applies to all accidents occurring on public roads or places open to public access.

The law distinguishes between accidents involving only property damage and those involving bodily injury or death. The severity of the offense, and therefore the potential punishment, depends heavily on the outcome of the accident and the driver’s prior criminal history.

Louisiana law requires every driver involved in an accident to take the following steps:

  • Stop immediately at the scene of the accident or as close as safely possible
  • Render reasonable assistance to any person who appears injured, including calling emergency services or transporting them to a medical facility
  • Exchange information with the victim, property owner, or occupant of any struck vehicle, including your name, address, vehicle registration, and insurance information
  • Report the accident to law enforcement
  • Remain at the scene until you have fulfilled all legal obligations

If you strike an unattended parked vehicle and cannot locate the owner, you must leave a written note in a visible location on the vehicle containing your contact information, then report the incident to police.

Misdemeanor Hit and Run in Louisiana

A hit and run in Louisiana is charged as a misdemeanor when the accident results only in property damage and no one is injured. Under RS 14:100(B), the penalties for a first offense misdemeanor hit and run include:

  • A fine of up to $500
  • Imprisonment for up to six months
  • Or both fine and imprisonment

If the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the property damage accident, the statute provides enhanced penalties. Specifically, if there is evidence that alcohol or drug consumption contributed to the accident and the driver fled to avoid detection, the minimum jail sentence increases to ten days.

Felony Hit and Run in Louisiana

Leaving the scene of an accident becomes a felony under Louisiana law when the accident results in serious bodily injury or death. The consequences are severe:

First offense (serious injury or death):

  • Imprisonment for up to 10 years, with or without hard labor
  • Fine of up to $5,000
  • Or both

With prior convictions:

If you have prior convictions for vehicular negligent injuring, vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, or DUI, the maximum sentence increases to 20 years imprisonment with or without hard labor, plus the $5,000 fine.

Additionally, prosecutors may pursue separate charges such as vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, or negligent injuring depending on the circumstances. If there is evidence of intent to harm, attempted murder charges could apply.

Louisiana Hit and Run Penalties at a Glance

Offense Type Classification Maximum Jail/Prison Maximum Fine
Property damage only Misdemeanor 6 months $500
DUI with property damage Misdemeanor 6 months (10 day minimum) $500
Serious injury or death Felony 10 years $5,000
Death/injury with priors Felony 20 years $5,000
Failure to report (24 hours) Misdemeanor 60 days $100

Administrative penalties: A hit and run conviction results in mandatory driver’s license suspension. The court may also impose reinstatement fees and require proof of insurance (SR-22) before restoring driving privileges.

Louisiana Crash Statistics

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

  • Total motor vehicle deaths (2023): 811 fatalities in Louisiana
  • Death rate: 17.7 per 100,000 population (significantly higher than the national average of 12.2)
  • Pedestrian fatalities: 145 deaths (18% of all traffic deaths)
  • Alcohol involvement: Approximately 33% of fatally injured drivers in Louisiana had a BAC of 0.08% or higher

Nationally, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that hit and run crashes occur approximately every 43 seconds. In 2016, 2,049 people died in hit and run crashes across the country, the highest number ever recorded at that time. Pedestrians and cyclists are disproportionately represented among hit and run victims.

How Fault Is Determined in Louisiana

Louisiana follows a “comparative fault” system under Civil Code Article 2323. This means that if you are partially at fault for an accident, your financial recovery will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. However, unlike some states, Louisiana does not bar recovery entirely based on your degree of fault.

Important: Do not admit fault at the scene of an accident. Fault determination is the responsibility of investigators, insurance adjusters, and ultimately the courts. Statements made at the scene can be used against you in both criminal and civil proceedings.

Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges

Common defenses that may apply depending on the circumstances include:

  • Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that an accident occurred or that anyone was injured
  • Fear for safety: You left the scene due to a reasonable fear of violence or harm (hostile crowd, threatening behavior)
  • Medical emergency: You needed immediate medical attention yourself
  • Identity dispute: You were not the driver of the vehicle at the time
  • Compliance: The victim refused to exchange information or indicated they were uninjured

Note that these defenses require credible evidence. If you leave the scene for any reason, you should report to the nearest police station as soon as safely possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You must report any accident to law enforcement within 24 hours. Failure to report is a separate offense punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $100 fine.

Can I be charged with hit and run if I was not at fault for the accident?

Yes. Louisiana’s hit and run law applies to all drivers involved in an accident, regardless of who caused it. The obligation to stop, render aid, and exchange information applies to everyone.

What if I hit a parked car with no one around?

You must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner. If you cannot find them, leave a note with your contact information in a visible spot on the vehicle and report the incident to police. Leaving without doing so is a misdemeanor.

How long can I be sued after a hit and run?

Louisiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is one year from the date of the accident. For property damage, it is also one year. For wrongful death, the period is one year from the date of death.

Will my license be suspended if I am convicted?

Yes. A hit and run conviction carries mandatory license suspension. The length varies based on the severity of the offense and any prior convictions.

Official Reference: Louisiana RS 14:100 Hit and Run Driving