Missouri Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Quick Summary of Missouri Hit and Run Laws
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060, any driver involved in an accident who knowingly leaves the scene without stopping and providing required information commits a criminal offense. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor for minor incidents to a Class D felony when a death occurs.
Missouri takes hit and run seriously. The state classifies the offense at multiple levels depending on the damage, injuries, and the driver's history. A first-time property damage offense is a misdemeanor, but any physical injury, significant property damage, prior conviction, or fatality pushes the charge into felony territory.
Missouri is an at-fault state that follows a pure comparative fault rule for civil claims. Drivers have 30 days to file accident reports, and police have the authority to follow a suspect home to administer drug or alcohol testing.
Last verified: March 2026. This page reflects current Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060 and related provisions.
Penalties for Hit and Run in Missouri
Missouri structures penalties based on the circumstances of the accident. Each classification carries specific maximum sentences.
| Offense Type | Classification | Maximum Prison | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic hit and run (no injury, damage under $1,000) | Class A Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| Physical injury to another person | Class E Felony | 4 years | $10,000 |
| Property damage over $1,000 | Class E Felony | 4 years | $10,000 |
| Prior hit and run conviction | Class E Felony | 4 years | $10,000 |
| Death resulting from accident | Class D Felony | 7 years | $10,000 |
Points on Your Driving Record
A hit and run conviction adds either 6 or 12 points to your Missouri driving record, depending on who issued the citation. Accumulating 12 points within a one-year period results in a one-year license revocation.
Additional Consequences
Beyond criminal penalties and point accumulation, a hit and run conviction leads to driver's license suspension or revocation. Your insurance premiums will increase substantially. A felony conviction creates a permanent criminal record that affects employment opportunities, professional licensing, and housing applications.
What the Law Requires (§ 577.060)
Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060 establishes the duties of drivers involved in accidents. You commit the offense of leaving the scene when you meet all three elements:
- You are the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident
- The accident results in injury, death, or property damage to another person
- You have knowledge of the accident and leave without stopping and providing required information
Information You Must Provide
At the scene of an accident, you must give the following information to the other party or to a law enforcement officer:
- Your full name
- Your residence address, including city and street number
- Your vehicle registration or license plate number
- Your operator's license number, if you have one
If no law enforcement officer is present at the scene, you must report the accident to the nearest law enforcement agency.
The Knowledge Requirement
The statute requires that you have "knowledge" of the accident. This means the prosecution must prove you knew an accident occurred and still chose to leave. If you were genuinely unaware that a collision happened, you may not meet the legal definition of the offense.
However, courts interpret this broadly. Circumstantial evidence such as vehicle damage, witness testimony, and surveillance footage can establish that you should have known about the accident.
Misdemeanor Hit and Run Offenses
Leaving the scene of an accident is a Class A misdemeanor in Missouri when the situation involves only minor property damage and no aggravating factors.
When Hit and Run Is a Misdemeanor
A hit and run is classified as a Class A misdemeanor when:
- The accident involves only property damage under $1,000
- No one suffers physical injury
- You have no prior hit and run convictions
A Class A misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Striking a Parked or Unattended Vehicle
If you damage a parked or unattended vehicle, you must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner. If you cannot find them, leave a note in a conspicuous location on the vehicle. The note must contain your name, address, and vehicle registration number.
Failing to leave a note after hitting a parked car is one of the most common hit and run charges in Missouri. Even though the penalties are relatively modest, a conviction still creates a criminal record.
Reporting Requirements
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 303.040, you must submit an accident report within 30 days if the accident results in:
- Death
- Injury to any person
- Property damage exceeding $500
- An uninsured driver being involved
If your injuries prevent you from filing within 30 days, the deadline may be extended. For any serious accident, call the police to the scene and consider consulting an attorney before submitting a written report.
Felony Hit and Run Offenses
Hit and run becomes a felony in Missouri under several circumstances. The severity of the felony classification depends on the nature of the accident and the driver's history.
Class E Felony (Up to 4 Years in Prison)
The offense is elevated to a Class E felony when any of the following apply:
- Physical injury: The accident caused physical injury to another person, regardless of how minor the injury may seem
- Property damage over $1,000: The total property damage from the accident exceeds $1,000
- Prior conviction: You have a previous conviction for leaving the scene of an accident, whether in Missouri or any other state
A Class E felony carries up to 4 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. The prior conviction enhancement means that a second hit and run offense is automatically a felony, even if the second incident involves only minor property damage.
Class D Felony (Up to 7 Years in Prison)
The offense becomes a Class D felony when a death occurs as a result of the accident. This is the most serious classification under § 577.060 and carries up to 7 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
DUI Hit and Run
If you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol when you left the scene, you face additional charges beyond § 577.060:
- DUI hit and run: Class C felony, up to 10 years in prison
- First-degree involuntary manslaughter: Class C felony, up to 10 years in prison, if a death resulted from impaired driving
Law enforcement officers may follow a driver to their home to administer a drug or alcohol test. Refusing the test results in automatic license revocation for up to one year, separate from any criminal penalties.
After a DUI conviction, you must complete Missouri's Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) before your driving privileges can be restored. Missouri allows first-time DUI misdemeanor convictions to be expunged after a 10-year waiting period.
Missouri Traffic Statistics
Missouri has seen a positive trend in traffic fatalities over recent years. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the state recorded its third consecutive year of declining traffic deaths in 2025.
- 2025: 911 preliminary fatalities, down from 955 in 2024 (a 5% decrease)
- 2024: 955 fatalities statewide
- 2023: 991 fatalities statewide
- Three-year decline: Traffic deaths dropped 14% compared to three years ago
MoDOT's Show-Me Zero initiative focuses on reducing fatalities through education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency response. In 2025, six Missouri counties reported zero traffic fatalities, and there were 45 days without a single fatal crash on Missouri roads.
Governor Mike Kehoe has called on all Missourians to make 2026 the fourth consecutive year of declining roadway fatalities.
Key contributing factors in fatal crashes remain consistent: 34.3% of fatal crashes involved speed, and 23.1% involved impaired driving.
How Fault Is Determined in Missouri
Missouri is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the accident bears financial responsibility for damages. Do not admit fault at the scene, as investigators and courts will make that determination based on evidence.
Pure Comparative Fault Rule
Missouri uses a pure comparative fault system. Your percentage of responsibility for the accident reduces your recovery proportionally, but does not bar it entirely. You can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault.
Example: If you suffer $50,000 in damages but are found 30% responsible for the accident, you can recover $35,000.
Key points about fault determination in Missouri:
- You may file a claim with your own insurer or the at-fault driver's insurer
- Victims may file personal injury lawsuits against at-fault drivers
- The court determines fault based on evidence, not statements made at the scene
- Insurance adjusters investigate independently and assign fault percentages
Statute of Limitations for Civil Claims
Missouri provides relatively generous deadlines for filing civil claims:
- Personal injury claims: 5 years from the date of the accident (§ 516.120)
- Property damage claims: 5 years from the date of the accident
- Wrongful death claims: 3 years from the date of death
These deadlines are firm. If you miss the statute of limitations, you lose the right to pursue compensation through the courts regardless of the strength of your claim.
Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges
The prosecution must prove that you knew about the accident and intentionally left without providing information. Several defenses may apply depending on the circumstances.
- Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that an accident occurred. This is the most common defense, particularly for minor collisions or situations where road noise or other factors masked the impact.
- Mistaken identity: You were not the driver, or the vehicle involved was not in your possession at the time of the accident.
- Involuntary departure: You left due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a medical emergency.
- No injury or damage: No one was injured and no property was damaged. Without injury or damage, the elements of the offense are not met.
- Victim refused information: The other party refused to accept your information or acted in a threatening manner.
- Fear for safety: You reasonably believed that remaining at the scene would endanger your life. You must still report the accident promptly.
If you left the scene, contact an attorney immediately and file your accident report within the 30-day deadline. Documenting a valid reason for your departure strengthens any potential defense.
Related Resources
Official Sources:
- Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060 (Leaving the Scene of an Accident)
- MoDOT Traffic Fatality Statistics
- Missouri SATOP Program
- Missouri Revised Statutes § 303.040 (Accident Reporting)
Other Missouri Laws:
- Missouri Recording Laws
- Missouri Car Seat Laws
- Missouri Statute of Limitations
- Missouri Whistleblower Laws
More Missouri Laws
Sources and References
- Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060 - Leaving the Scene of an Accident(revisor.mo.gov).gov
- MoDOT - Number and Rate of Fatalities(modot.org).gov
- MoDOT - Missouri Third Consecutive Year of Declining Traffic Fatalities(modot.org).gov
- Missouri SATOP Program - Department of Mental Health(dmh.mo.gov).gov
- Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060 (2024) - Justia(law.justia.com)
- Missouri Revised Statutes § 303.040 - Accident Reporting Requirements(revisor.mo.gov).gov