Maryland Hit and Run Laws (2026 Guide)

Last verified: January 2026. This guide reflects current Maryland Transportation Article, Title 20. Always consult a licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)

Quick Summary

  • Governing statutes: Maryland Transportation Article, Sections 20-102 through 20-104
  • Felony threshold: Accidents involving serious bodily injury or death
  • Maximum felony penalty: Up to 10 years in prison, $10,000 fine (fatal hit and run)
  • Serious injury penalty: Up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fine
  • Bodily injury penalty: Up to 1 year in jail, $3,000 fine
  • Property damage penalty: Up to 60 days in jail, $500 fine
  • Reporting deadline: 15 days for accidents involving injury or death
  • Fault system: Maryland follows “contributory negligence” rules

Maryland Hit and Run Statutes

Maryland’s hit and run laws are found in the Transportation Article, Title 20. The key sections include:

Section 20-102: Duty to Stop

This section requires drivers involved in accidents resulting in bodily injury or death to immediately stop their vehicle as close as possible to the scene without obstructing traffic more than necessary, and to remain at the scene until complying with Section 20-104.

Section 20-104: Duties to Provide Information and Render Aid

This section specifies what information must be exchanged and requires drivers to render reasonable assistance to any injured person, including arranging transportation to a medical facility if necessary.

Under Maryland law, if you are involved in an accident that causes bodily injury, death, or property damage, you must:

  • Stop immediately as close to the scene as possible without obstructing traffic
  • Return to and remain at the scene until you have fulfilled all required duties
  • Render reasonable assistance to any injured person, including arranging for medical transportation if needed or requested
  • Provide your information to:
    • Any person injured in the accident
    • The driver, occupant, or person attending any damaged vehicle or property
    • Any police officer at the scene or investigating the accident
  • Required information includes:
    • Your name and address
    • Your vehicle registration number
    • Your driver’s license (upon request, if available)

If no police officer is present and the specified persons cannot receive information due to their condition, you must immediately report the accident to the nearest authorized police authority.

Note on moving vehicles: If the accident involves only property damage, you may move the vehicle to avoid obstructing traffic, but you must return to the scene and remain until requirements are met.

Misdemeanor Hit and Run in Maryland

Property Damage Only (Section 20-103)

Failing to stop and exchange information after an accident involving only property damage is a misdemeanor punishable by:

  • Up to 60 days in jail
  • A fine of up to $500
  • Or both, plus possible license suspension

Bodily Injury (Section 20-102(c)(2)(i))

Failing to stop and comply after an accident causing bodily injury is punishable by:

  • Up to 1 year in jail
  • A fine of up to $3,000
  • Or both

Failure to Provide Information or Render Aid (Section 20-104(e))

Violating the duty to provide information or render reasonable assistance is punishable by:

  • Up to 2 months in jail
  • A fine of up to $500
  • Or both

Felony Hit and Run in Maryland

Maryland’s hit and run laws impose felony penalties based on the severity of the resulting injuries:

Serious Bodily Injury (Section 20-102(c)(3)(i))

If the driver knew or reasonably should have known the accident might result in serious bodily injury, and serious bodily injury actually occurred, the offense is a felony punishable by:

  • Up to 5 years in prison
  • A fine of up to $5,000
  • Or both

Death (Section 20-102(c)(3)(ii))

If the driver knew or reasonably should have known the accident might result in death, and death actually occurred, the offense is a felony punishable by:

  • Up to 10 years in prison
  • A fine of up to $10,000
  • Or both

Definition of “Serious Bodily Injury”:

Under Section 20-102(c)(1), serious bodily injury means an injury that:

  • Creates a substantial risk of death
  • Causes serious permanent or serious protracted disfigurement
  • Causes serious permanent or serious protracted loss of function of any body part, organ, or mental faculty
  • Causes serious permanent or serious protracted impairment of the function of any body part or organ

Maryland Hit and Run Penalties at a Glance

Offense Classification Maximum Incarceration Maximum Fine
Property damage only Misdemeanor 60 days $500
Failure to provide info/render aid Misdemeanor 2 months $500
Bodily injury Misdemeanor 1 year $3,000
Serious bodily injury Felony 5 years $5,000
Death Felony 10 years $10,000

Administrative penalties: Conviction may result in driver’s license suspension. The court has discretion to suspend driving privileges even for property damage offenses.

Maryland Crash Statistics

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

  • Total motor vehicle deaths: 621 fatalities
  • Death rate: 10.0 per 100,000 population (below the national average of 12.2)
  • Deaths per 100 million miles traveled: 1.08
  • Pedestrian fatalities: 160 deaths (26% of all traffic deaths, higher than national average)
  • Motorcyclist fatalities: 89 deaths (14% of total)
  • Alcohol involvement: Approximately 29% of fatally injured drivers had BAC of 0.08% or higher

Maryland’s higher than average pedestrian fatality rate (26% compared to the national 18%) reflects the state’s urban density, particularly in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas.

How Fault Is Determined in Maryland

Maryland is one of only a few states that still follows the strict “contributory negligence” rule. Under this doctrine:

  • If you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you may be completely barred from recovering any compensation in a civil lawsuit
  • This makes Maryland one of the most defendant-friendly states for accident liability

Critical importance: Because of Maryland’s contributory negligence rule, it is extremely important to never admit fault at the scene of an accident. Fault determination should be left to investigators, insurance adjusters, and the courts. Any admission can be used against you to completely bar your recovery.

Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges

Depending on the circumstances, the following defenses may be available:

  • Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that an accident occurred or that anyone was injured
  • Fear for safety: You left because remaining at the scene would have put you in danger (hostile crowd, threatening behavior, road rage)
  • Medical emergency: You required immediate medical attention for your own injuries
  • Vehicle not stolen: If someone claims you fled the scene, proving the vehicle was stolen or you were not driving
  • Compliance: The other party refused to exchange information or stated they were uninjured

If you leave the scene for safety reasons, you should immediately report to the nearest police station and explain the circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Under Section 20-107, if an accident results in death or injury, you have 15 days to file a written report. The report must include your insurance information, policy number, and the name and address of your insurance agent.

Is it necessary to call police after a minor accident?

You should notify police if: the accident results in any injury or property damage exceeding $500, the other driver flees, there is a dispute over fault, or either driver appears impaired. For very minor damage under $500, police may not investigate, but calling is still recommended.

What if I hit a parked car and cannot find the owner?

You must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner. If you cannot, leave a note with your contact information in a visible spot on the vehicle. If damage is significant, you should also notify police.

What is the statute of limitations for civil claims?

In Maryland, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death, the period is 3 years from the date of death.

Can I be charged even if the other driver was at fault?

Yes. The obligation to stop, exchange information, and render aid applies to all drivers involved, regardless of who caused the accident.

Official References: