Missouri Hit and Run Laws (2026 Guide)

📅 Last verified: January 2026. This page reflects current Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060 and related provisions.

📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)

Quick Summary: Missouri Hit and Run Laws

Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060, any driver involved in an accident who leaves the scene without stopping and providing required information commits a criminal offense. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony depending on the circumstances.

  • Basic hit and run: Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail, $2,000 fine
  • Physical injury or damage over $1,000: Class E felony, up to 4 years prison
  • Prior conviction or serious injury: Class E felony with enhanced penalties
  • Death: Class D felony, up to 7 years prison
  • Missouri is an at-fault state with a comparative fault rule
  • You have 30 days to file an accident report
  • Police may follow you home to conduct a drug or alcohol test

Penalties for Hit and Run in Missouri

Offense Type Classification Maximum Prison Maximum Fine
Basic hit and run Class A Misdemeanor 1 year $2,000
Physical injury caused 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 Class D Felony 7 years $10,000
DUI hit and run Class C Felony 10 years $10,000

Additional consequences: The state will suspend or revoke your driving privileges upon conviction. Refusing a drug or alcohol test results in automatic license revocation for up to one year.

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:

  1. Operate a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage
  2. Know about the accident
  3. Leave without stopping and providing required information

The information you must provide includes:

  • Your name
  • Your residence, including city and street number
  • Your vehicle registration or license plate number
  • Your operator’s license number (if any)

You must provide this information to the other party or to law enforcement. If no officer is present, report to the nearest law enforcement agency.

“A person commits the offense of leaving the scene of an accident when being the operator of a vehicle or vessel involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to property of another person, and having knowledge of such accident, leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping and giving the required information.”

Missouri Revised Statutes § 577.060

Misdemeanor Hit and Run Offenses

Leaving the scene of an accident in Missouri is a Class A misdemeanor when:

  • The accident involves only property damage under $1,000
  • No one is injured
  • You have no prior hit and run convictions

Striking a Parked 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 visible location containing your name, address, and vehicle registration number.

Reporting Requirements

Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 303.040, you must submit an accident report within 30 days if the accident results in:

  • Death
  • Injury
  • Property damage exceeding $500
  • An uninsured driver

If injuries prevent you from filing within 30 days, the deadline may be extended. Experts recommend calling police at the scene and consulting an attorney before filing a report for serious accidents.

Felony Hit and Run Offenses

Hit and run becomes a felony in Missouri under three circumstances:

Class E Felony (Up to 4 Years)

  • Physical injury was caused to another party
  • Property damage exceeds $1,000
  • You have a prior hit and run conviction

Class D Felony (Up to 7 Years)

  • A death occurred as a result of the accident

DUI Hit and Run and Vehicular Manslaughter

If you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may face additional charges:

  • 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

Note that police may follow you to your home to administer a drug or alcohol test. Refusing the test results in automatic license revocation for up to one year. After a DUI conviction, you must complete Missouri’s Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) before regaining driving privileges.

Missouri allows first-time DUI misdemeanors to be expunged after a 10-year waiting period.

Missouri Traffic Statistics

Missouri continues to work toward reducing traffic fatalities through its “Show-Me Zero” strategic highway safety plan:

  • 2025: 910 preliminary fatalities, a 4.71% decrease from 2024
  • 2024: 955 fatalities statewide
  • 2023: 991 fatalities
  • Contributing factors: 34.3% of fatal crashes involved speed; 23.1% involved impaired driving

MoDOT’s Show-Me Zero initiative focuses on five key elements: Safer People, Safer Vehicles, Safer Speeds, Safer Infrastructure, and Safer Response. In 2025, six Missouri counties reported zero traffic fatalities.

How Fault Is Determined in Missouri

Missouri is an at-fault state. This means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages. Do not admit fault at the scene, as investigators and the court will make that determination.

Comparative Fault Rule

Missouri uses a “pure comparative fault” system. Your percentage of responsibility for the accident reduces your recovery, but does not bar it entirely. You may recover damages even if you were partially at fault.

Key points to remember:

  • You may file a claim with your 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 your statements at the scene
  • Your percentage of fault reduces your recovery proportionally

Statute of Limitations

  • Personal injury claims: 5 years from the date of accident
  • Wrongful death claims: 3 years from the date of death
  • Property damage claims: 5 years

Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges

The prosecution must prove you knew about the accident and intentionally left without providing information. Potential defenses include:

  • Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that an accident occurred
  • Mistaken identity: You were not the driver, or the vehicle was not in your possession
  • Involuntary departure: You left due to circumstances beyond your control
  • No injury or damage: No one was injured and no property was damaged
  • Victim refused information: The other party refused to accept your information or acted aggressively
  • Fear for safety: You reasonably believed staying would endanger you

If you left the scene, contact an attorney immediately and file your report within 30 days. Having a documented valid reason for leaving is essential to your defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file an accident report in Missouri?

You have 30 days to submit a report to the director if the accident resulted in death, injury, property damage over $500, or involved an uninsured driver. The deadline may be extended if injuries prevent timely filing.

Can police follow me home after an accident?

Yes. Missouri law allows law enforcement officers, when invited by an injured person, to enter private property to investigate an accident. They may also follow you home to conduct drug and alcohol testing.

What happens if I refuse a drug test after an accident?

Refusing a drug or alcohol test results in automatic license revocation for up to one year. This is separate from any criminal charges you may face.

Is a second hit and run automatically a felony?

Yes. Under § 577.060, if you have previously been convicted of leaving the scene of an accident in Missouri or any other jurisdiction, a subsequent offense is a Class E felony.

What should I do at the scene of an accident?

Stop immediately, check on all parties, call law enforcement, exchange information, render reasonable assistance to injured persons, avoid admitting fault, gather evidence and witness information, and contact your insurance company. For serious accidents, consult an attorney before filing reports or giving statements.

Related Resources

Official Sources:

Other Missouri Laws: