Minnesota Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Last verified: March 2026. This guide reflects current Minnesota Statutes Section 169.09 and related provisions. Always consult a licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.
Quick Summary of Minnesota Hit and Run Laws
Minnesota addresses leaving the scene of an accident under Section 169.09 of the Minnesota Statutes. The law requires all drivers involved in a collision to immediately stop, reasonably investigate what was struck, and provide specific information to the other party.
Penalties range from a misdemeanor for property damage (up to 90 days in jail) to a felony for collisions resulting in death (up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine). Drivers who cause an accident and leave the scene may also face criminal vehicular operation charges under Section 609.2113, which carry significantly harsher penalties.
What Minnesota Law Requires After a Collision
Minnesota Statutes Section 169.09, Subdivision 1 establishes the core duty for all drivers:
"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."
This duty applies to all collisions, whether they involve other vehicles, pedestrians, property, or fixed objects.
Required Information Exchange
After stopping, you must provide the following information to the other party (Subdivision 2):
- Your full name
- Your date of birth
- Your mailing or email address
- Your vehicle registration number
You must also show your driver's license to a peace officer upon request.
Insurance Information
If you do not provide your insurer information at the scene, you must provide it within 72 hours of the collision.
Duty to Render Aid
If any person involved in the collision needs medical attention, you must provide reasonable assistance, including arranging transportation to a medical facility if needed.
Striking an Unattended Vehicle
If you hit a parked or unattended vehicle and cannot locate the owner, Minnesota law requires you to leave a written note in a conspicuous place on the vehicle. The note must contain your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You must also report the incident to a peace officer.
Reporting Requirements
Under Subdivision 7, if a collision results in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $1,000, you must report it 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.
Misdemeanor Hit and Run Offenses
Leaving the scene of a collision is a misdemeanor in Minnesota when the accident does not result in substantial bodily harm or death.
Property Damage Only
If the collision involves only property damage and you leave without fulfilling your legal obligations, you face:
- Up to 90 days in jail
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Or both
Failure to Leave Information on Unattended Vehicle
Striking a parked vehicle and leaving without providing your contact information is also a misdemeanor with the same penalties.
Damage to Highway Fixtures
If you damage guardrails, signs, or other fixtures adjacent to a highway and fail to notify the responsible authority, you face misdemeanor charges.
Collision Involving Bodily Injury (Not Great Bodily Harm)
If you leave the scene of a collision that results in bodily injury (but not "great bodily harm" or death), you face enhanced misdemeanor penalties under Subdivision 14(a)(1):
- Up to 1 year in prison
- A fine of up to $3,000
- Or both
Failure to Notify Police of Injury or Death
Failing to notify police "by the quickest means" when an accident involves injury or death is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- A fine of up to $3,000
- Or both
Felony Hit and Run Offenses
Hit and run becomes a felony in Minnesota when the collision results in great bodily harm or death.
Great Bodily Harm (Subdivision 14(a)(2))
If the collision results in "great bodily harm" and you leave the scene, you face:
- Up to 2 years in prison
- A fine of up to $4,000
- Or both
Under Section 609.02, Subdivision 8, "great bodily harm" means bodily injury that creates a high probability of death, or that causes serious permanent disfigurement, or that causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
Death (Subdivision 14(a)(3))
If the collision results in the death of any person and you leave the scene, you face:
- Up to 3 years in prison
- A fine of up to $5,000
- Or both
A felony conviction in Minnesota results in permanent loss of your right to possess firearms, among other civil rights restrictions.
Criminal Vehicular Operation (Section 609.2113)
If you cause an accident and leave the scene in violation of Section 169.09, you may face additional charges under Minnesota's Criminal Vehicular Operation statute. These charges apply when the leaving of the scene is one of the factors contributing to the harm. Penalties vary by severity:
- Bodily harm: Up to 364 days in prison, $3,000 fine
- Substantial bodily harm: Up to 3 years in prison, $10,000 fine
- Great bodily harm: Up to 5 years in prison, $10,000 fine
- Death: Up to 10 years in prison (under Section 609.2112)
These charges are in addition to, not instead of, the basic leaving-the-scene charges.
Minnesota Hit and Run Penalties Summary
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Incarceration | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property damage or unattended vehicle | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $1,000 |
| Bodily injury (not great bodily harm) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $3,000 |
| Failure to notify police of injury/death | Gross Misdemeanor | 1 year | $3,000 |
| Great bodily harm | Felony | 2 years | $4,000 |
| Death | Felony | 3 years | $5,000 |
| Criminal vehicular operation (great bodily harm) | Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Criminal vehicular operation (death) | Felony | 10 years | $10,000 |
License Revocation
The court will revoke or suspend your driver's license upon conviction for leaving the scene of an accident. The Commissioner of Public Safety may also suspend your license for willfully failing to file a required accident report.
Minnesota Crash Statistics
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and NHTSA data:
2024 Data:
- Total traffic fatalities: At least 479 deaths, a 12% increase from 2023
- Speed-related fatal crashes: Approximately 121 crashes
- Alcohol-related fatalities: 102 deaths
- Unbelted fatalities: 99 deaths attributed to lack of seat belt use
- Distracted driving fatalities: 27 deaths
- Seat belt usage rate: 94.7% (statewide observational study)
- Economic cost of all crashes: $4.66 billion
2023 Data:
- Total traffic fatalities: Approximately 428 deaths
- Death rate per 100,000 population: 7.5 (below the national average of 12.2)
The state's "Toward Zero Deaths" initiative aims to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities through education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical services.
How Fault Is Determined in Minnesota
No-Fault Insurance System
Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state. After an accident, your own insurance pays for your medical expenses and lost wages under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who caused the collision. PIP coverage is mandatory in Minnesota.
However, for accidents resulting in serious injury or significant damages, victims can step outside the no-fault system and pursue claims against the at-fault driver.
Modified Comparative Fault Rule
Under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01, Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule:
- You may recover damages only if your share of fault does not exceed 50%.
- If you are 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 would recover $70,000.
Statute of Limitations for Civil Claims
- 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
Insurance Implications of a Hit and Run
A hit and run conviction in Minnesota creates lasting insurance consequences:
- Premium increases: A leaving-the-scene conviction is classified as a major traffic violation and will trigger significant premium increases.
- Policy cancellation: Your insurer may refuse to renew your coverage.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: If you are the victim of a hit and run, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can help pay for injuries and damage that exceed your PIP benefits.
- Subrogation: Your insurer may pursue the hit and run driver to recover amounts paid on your claim.
Minnesota requires all drivers to carry minimum auto insurance, including $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $10,000 in property damage liability, and PIP coverage.
Affirmative Defense: Emergency Medical Care
Minnesota law provides a specific affirmative defense for drivers who leave the scene to provide emergency medical care. Under Section 169.09, it is a defense to prosecution if:
- The driver left the scene to take a person suffering immediately demonstrable bodily injury to receive emergency medical care.
- The driver gave notice to law enforcement as required by the statute as soon as reasonably feasible after the emergency medical care was undertaken.
This defense applies to violations of Subdivisions 1, 2, and 6 of the statute.
Other Possible Defenses
Depending on the circumstances, these additional defenses may apply:
- Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that a collision occurred. This is more credible in low-speed or minor-contact situations.
- Fear for safety: You reasonably believed that remaining at the scene would endanger your safety.
- Mistaken identity: You were not the driver, or the vehicle was stolen.
- No injury or damage: The collision did not actually result in any injury or property damage.
- Emergency circumstances: You left to seek immediate medical attention for yourself and reported to police promptly.
What to Do After a Collision in Minnesota
Follow these steps to comply with the law and protect your rights:
- Stop immediately at the scene or as close to the scene as safely possible.
- Investigate what was struck. This is a specific requirement under Minnesota law.
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
- Exchange information with all other parties: name, date of birth, address, and registration number.
- Show your driver's license to any peace officer who requests it.
- Provide insurance information at the scene or within 72 hours.
- Render reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured.
- Notify police immediately if anyone is injured or killed.
- File a written report with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety within 10 days if the accident involved death, injury, or property damage over $1,000.
- Do not admit fault at the scene. Let investigators make that determination.
Related Resources
Official Sources:
- Minnesota Statutes Section 169.09 (Collisions)
- Minnesota Statutes Section 609.2113 (Criminal Vehicular Operation)
- Minnesota Statutes Section 609.02 (Definitions)
- Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01 (Comparative Fault)
- Minnesota DPS Traffic Safety Reports
Other Minnesota Laws:
- Minnesota Recording Laws
- Minnesota Car Seat Laws
- Minnesota Statute of Limitations
- Minnesota Whistleblower Laws
More Minnesota Laws
Sources and References
- Minnesota Statutes Section 169.09 (Collisions)(revisor.mn.gov).gov
- Minnesota Statutes Section 609.2113 (Criminal Vehicular Operation)(revisor.mn.gov).gov
- Minnesota Statutes Section 609.02 (Definitions)(revisor.mn.gov).gov
- Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01 (Comparative Fault)(revisor.mn.gov).gov
- Minnesota Statutes Section 609.2112 (Criminal Vehicular Homicide)(revisor.mn.gov).gov
- Minnesota DPS Office of Traffic Safety Reports and Data(dps.mn.gov).gov
- IIHS Fatality Facts 2023: State by State(iihs.org)
- NHTSA 2024 Traffic Fatality Estimates(nhtsa.gov).gov