📅 Last verified: January 2026. This page reflects current Minnesota Statutes § 169.09 and related provisions.
📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)
Quick Summary: Minnesota Hit and Run Laws
Under Minnesota Statutes § 169.09, drivers involved in a collision must immediately stop, investigate the scene, and provide required information. Leaving the scene can result in criminal charges ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the severity of injuries or damage.
- Property damage only: Misdemeanor, up to 90 days jail, $1,000 fine
- Personal injury: Up to 1 year in prison, $3,000 fine
- Great bodily harm: Felony, up to 2 years in prison, $4,000 fine
- Death: Felony, up to 3 years in prison, $5,000 fine
- Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state with a modified comparative fault rule
- You must report accidents resulting in death, injury, or property damage over $1,000 within 10 days
Penalties for Hit and Run in Minnesota
| Offense Type | Classification | Maximum Jail/Prison | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property damage or unattended vehicle | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $1,000 |
| Personal injury | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $3,000 |
| Great bodily harm (serious injury) | Felony | 2 years | $4,000 |
| Death | Felony | 3 years | $5,000 |
| Failure to notify police of injury/death | Gross Misdemeanor | 1 year | $3,000 |
Additional consequences: The court will revoke or suspend your driver’s license upon conviction. You may also face civil liability for medical expenses, lost wages, and punitive damages.
What the Law Requires (Minn. Stat. § 169.09)
Minnesota law imposes specific duties on any driver involved in a collision. According to the statute, you must:
- Immediately stop your vehicle at the scene or as close as safely possible
- Reasonably investigate what was struck
- Provide your information to the other party, including your name, date of birth, mailing or email address, and vehicle registration number
- Show your driver’s license to a peace officer upon request
- Provide insurer information within 72 hours if not given at the scene
- Render reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including arranging transportation to a medical facility if needed
“The driver of any motor vehicle involved in a collision shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the collision, or as close to the scene as possible, and reasonably investigate what was struck.”
Minnesota Statutes § 169.09, Subdivision 1
Misdemeanor Hit and Run Offenses
Leaving the scene of an accident in Minnesota is a misdemeanor when:
- The collision results in property damage only
- You strike an unattended vehicle and fail to leave contact information
- You damage fixtures or property adjacent to the highway and fail to notify the owner
- You fail to report an accident within the required timeframe
Striking an Unattended Vehicle
If you hit a parked or unattended vehicle, you must attempt to locate the owner. If you cannot find them, you must leave a written note in a conspicuous place containing your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You must also report the incident to a peace officer.
Reporting Requirements
If an accident results in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $1,000, you must report it to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety within 10 days. Peace officers investigating accidents must submit reports within the same timeframe. Failure to file a required report is a misdemeanor.
Felony Hit and Run Offenses
Hit and run becomes a felony in Minnesota when the accident results in:
- Great bodily harm: Injuries involving substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or loss of function of any body part
- Death: Any fatality resulting from the collision
A felony conviction results in permanent loss of your right to possess firearms in Minnesota, among other civil rights restrictions.
Criminal Vehicular Operation
If the collision involves DUI, reckless driving, or other aggravating factors, you may face additional charges under Minnesota’s Criminal Vehicular Operation statute. These charges can carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison for cases involving death.
Minnesota Hit and Run Statistics
Hit and run crashes remain a significant problem in Minnesota:
- 2024: Approximately 5,800 crashes classified as hit-and-runs (preliminary data through November)
- 2022: 8,025 hit-and-run crashes reported statewide
- 2021: 7,532 hit-and-run crashes
- Total traffic fatalities 2024: 402 deaths as of November 2024, on pace to exceed 2023 totals
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, traffic fatalities were up 61% in early 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The state’s “Toward Zero Deaths” initiative aims to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities through education, enforcement, and improved road design.
How Fault Is Determined in Minnesota
Minnesota operates as a no-fault insurance state, meaning your own insurance pays for your injuries regardless of who caused the accident. However, for accidents resulting in serious injury or significant damages, victims can pursue claims against the at-fault driver.
Modified Comparative Fault Rule
Under Minnesota Statutes § 604.01, you may recover damages only if your share of fault does not exceed 50%. If you are found 51% or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation. Your percentage of fault reduces your recovery proportionally.
Example: If you suffer $100,000 in damages but are found 30% at fault, you can recover $70,000.
Statute of Limitations
- Personal injury claims: 2 years from the date of injury
- Wrongful death claims: 3 years from the date of death
- Property damage claims: 6 years
Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges
Depending on the circumstances, you may have valid defenses to hit and run charges:
- Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that a collision occurred
- No injury occurred: The collision did not result in any injury or damage
- Fear for safety: You reasonably believed remaining at the scene would endanger your safety
- Mistaken identity: You were not the driver, or the vehicle was stolen
- Emergency circumstances: You left to seek medical help and returned promptly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report an accident in Minnesota?
You must report accidents resulting in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety within 10 days. At the scene, you should notify local police “by the quickest means” if the collision results in injury or death.
Can I be charged with hit and run if the accident wasn’t my fault?
Yes. Minnesota law requires all drivers involved in a collision to stop and fulfill their legal obligations, regardless of who caused the accident. Fault is a separate matter determined later by investigators, insurers, or the courts.
What if I hit someone’s mailbox or fence?
You must take reasonable steps to locate and notify the property owner, provide your name, address, and license plate number, and report the incident to police. Leaving without doing so is a misdemeanor.
Will my license be suspended for a hit and run conviction?
Yes. Upon conviction for leaving the scene of an accident, the court will revoke or suspend your driving privileges. The length of suspension depends on the severity of the offense and any prior convictions.
Can I leave the scene if I feel unsafe?
If you have a legitimate fear for your safety, you may leave the scene but should immediately report the accident to police and return when safe to do so. Document your reasons for leaving, as this may serve as a defense.
Related Resources
Official Sources:
Other Minnesota Laws: