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Nevada Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

By Recording Law Editorial TeamReviewed September 24, 20269 min read
Nevada Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Nevada classifies leaving the scene of an accident as a misdemeanor or a felony based on the outcome. Under NRS 484E.010, crashes involving death or injury are Category B felonies carrying 2 to 20 years in prison; property-damage-only departures under NRS 484E.020 are misdemeanors with up to 6 months in jail.

Hurt in a hit-and-run? If the driver who hit you fled or had no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured-motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may pay your injury claim. Estimate what it could be worth with our free Nevada Car Accident Settlement Calculator.

Last verified: January 2026. This page reflects current Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 484E governing hit and run offenses.

Quick Summary: Nevada Hit and Run Laws

Under Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 484E, leaving the scene of an accident carries serious criminal consequences. Here is what you need to know:

Hands holding a phone to photograph a dented rear corner of a silver sedan parked on a residential street

  • Property damage only: Misdemeanor, up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 fine (NRS 484E.020)
  • Death or injury: Category B felony, 2 to 20 years in prison and up to $5,000 fine (NRS 484E.010)
  • Reporting requirement: You must send a written or electronic report to the Nevada DMV within 10 days for crashes involving death, injury, or apparent property damage of $750 or more (NRS 484E.070)
  • License points: A hit and run conviction adds 6 demerit points to your license
  • Fault state: Nevada follows a modified comparative fault rule

References:

NRS 484E.030 establishes the "duty to give information and render aid." When you are involved in a crash on a Nevada highway or any location with public access, you must:

  • Stop immediately at the scene or as close to it as possible without creating additional traffic hazards
  • Provide your information including name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other driver, property owner, or law enforcement
  • Show your license upon request to the other party or a peace officer
  • Render reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including arranging transportation to a medical facility if needed
  • Report the accident to the nearest police station or Nevada Highway Patrol if no officer is present at the scene

Note: Accidents on private property still require you to exchange information with the other party. However, police typically only respond to private property accidents if there is substantial damage, injury, or death.

Misdemeanor Hit and Run in Nevada

Under NRS 484E.020, leaving the scene of an accident that results only in property damage is a misdemeanor. The penalties include:

Driver on a road shoulder calling on a phone, a silver sedan with a crumpled rear corner and hazard lights behind

  • Up to 6 months in county jail
  • Maximum fine of $1,000
  • 6 demerit points on your driving record

Accumulating 12 demerit points (which could happen with a second misdemeanor hit and run) will result in license suspension for up to one year.

Hitting a Parked or Unattended Vehicle

NRS 484E.040 addresses situations where you damage a parked vehicle or unattended property. You must:

  • Stop your vehicle immediately
  • Make a reasonable effort to locate the property owner
  • If you cannot find the owner, leave a written note in a conspicuous place with your name, address, and contact information
  • If the crash happened on a highway, immediately notify the nearest police authority or the Nevada Highway Patrol by the quickest means of communication, whatever the amount of damage (NRS 484E.050)

Reportable Accidents in Nevada

Under NRS 484E.070, the driver must send a written or electronic report to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles for any crash resulting in:

  • Death or bodily injury
  • Apparent damage to any vehicle or item of property of $750 or more

You have 10 days after the crash to file the report. A report is not required if a police officer investigated the crash and the officer's report includes each driver's insurance company, policy number, and coverage dates. Under NRS 484E.080, if you willfully fail, refuse, or neglect to report, your driving privilege may be suspended; the suspension lasts 1 year unless the DMV receives the report or evidence that the failure was not willful.

Felony Hit and Run in Nevada

NRS 484E.010 makes it a Category B felony to leave the scene of an accident that results in death or bodily injury. Key provisions include:

  • Separate offense per victim: If you strike multiple people, each death or injury constitutes a separate felony offense
  • No probation: Felony hit and run is not a probational crime in Nevada. The court cannot grant probation
  • Mandatory prison time: A minimum of 2 years in state prison is required

The statute states:

"A person failing to comply with the provisions of subsection 1 is guilty of a category B felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 2 years and a maximum term of not more than 20 years and by a fine of not less than $2,000 nor more than $5,000."

DUI Hit and Run in Nevada

If you leave the scene while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you face additional charges beyond the hit and run itself. The hit and run charge under NRS 484E.010 stays a Category B felony regardless of prior convictions, but a driver with three or more prior DUI convictions who causes a death while driving under the influence can separately be charged with vehicular homicide under NRS 484C.440, a Category A felony carrying a potential sentence of life in prison.

Reckless driving that results in death is also a Category B felony.

Evading Police

Willfully failing to stop when instructed by a police officer is a misdemeanor for property damage accidents. If the accident results in death and you fail to stop for police, the charge becomes a Category B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Nevada Hit and Run Penalties Summary

  • Property damage hit and run: Misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine, 6 demerit points
  • Hitting unattended vehicle: Misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine
  • Hit and run with injury or death: Category B felony, 2 to 20 years prison, $2,000 to $5,000 fine, license revocation
  • DUI hit and run: Category B felony under NRS 484E.010 regardless of prior convictions; a separate vehicular homicide charge under NRS 484C.440 (Category A felony) may apply if you have three or more prior DUI convictions and cause a death
  • Willful failure to report: Possible license suspension lasting 1 year unless the report is filed or the failure is shown not to be willful
  • False report: Gross misdemeanor, up to 364 days jail, $2,000 fine
  • Evading police (death involved): Category B felony, up to 20 years prison, $50,000 fine
  • Vehicular homicide with prior DUI history: Category A felony, up to life in prison

Nevada Hit and Run Statistics

Traffic safety remains a significant concern in Nevada, particularly in the Las Vegas metropolitan area:

  • 2024 Clark County data: 81 fatalities from 70 car crashes in the first half of the year alone
  • Pedestrian fatalities: 33 pedestrians killed in Clark County in early 2024, a 94% increase compared to the same period in 2023
  • 2023 Las Vegas statistics: 149 traffic deaths from 144 collisions
  • DUI factor: Approximately 42.7% of Nevada's fatal car accidents involve intoxicated drivers

The Nevada Department of Transportation maintains a crash data dashboard tracking fatal accidents by location and behavior.

Notable Nevada Hit and Run Cases

State v. Ayala and Keys (2023)

In August 2023, two teenagers, Jesus Ayala (17) and Jzamir Keys (16), were arrested after intentionally striking and killing retired California police chief Andreas Probst while he rode his bicycle in Las Vegas. The incident was recorded on video from inside the vehicle. Both were charged as adults with murder and indicted by a grand jury in October 2023.

After the arrest, Ayala reportedly told police he expected only "a slap on the wrist" as a juvenile. In December 2025, both defendants received lengthy prison sentences after pleading guilty. The case drew national attention and sparked discussions about juvenile accountability for violent crimes.

Civil Liability and How Fault is Determined

Nevada follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means you can recover compensation if your share of responsibility is less than 51%. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. If a driver who fled left you injured, have a Nevada car accident lawyer look at any argument that you share the blame in a free claim review (attorney advertising).

Statute of Limitations:

  • Personal injury claims: 2 years from the date of accident
  • Property damage claims: 3 years
  • Wrongful death claims: 2 years from the date of death

What to Do at the Scene

To protect your legal rights and potential civil claims:

  • Never admit fault at the scene
  • Collect evidence including photos, witness information, and dashcam footage
  • Do not comment on your physical condition until you see a medical professional
  • Call law enforcement
  • Exchange information with the other party
  • File a police report within the required timeframe
  • For serious accidents, contact an attorney before speaking with insurance companies

Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges

Nevada law requires that you knew or should have known about your involvement in an accident. Potential defenses include:

  • Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that an accident occurred
  • Incapacity: You were physically unable to exchange information or render aid due to your own injuries
  • Involuntary departure: You were forced to leave the scene due to threats or safety concerns
  • Compliance: You fulfilled all statutory obligations before leaving
  • Victim refusal: The other party refused to accept your information or acted aggressively

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You must send a written or electronic report to the Nevada DMV within 10 days for crashes resulting in death, injury, or apparent property damage of $750 or more. For accidents at the scene, you should notify police "by the quickest means of communication" if no officer is present.

Can I get probation for felony hit and run in Nevada?

No. Under NRS 484E.010, felony hit and run involving death or injury is not a probational crime. If convicted, you must serve prison time.

What if I left the scene but came back later?

Returning to the scene may be considered a mitigating factor, but it does not eliminate the offense. Once you leave without fulfilling your legal obligations, you have committed hit and run. Consult with an attorney immediately.

Will my license be suspended for hit and run?

A misdemeanor conviction adds 6 demerit points. A felony conviction results in license revocation. Additionally, willfully failing to report a crash can result in a license suspension that lasts 1 year unless the report is filed or you show the failure was not willful.

What if I hit an animal?

Nevada law requires you to stop and report accidents involving animals if there is property damage. You should contact animal control or police, especially if the animal is injured.

More Nevada Laws

Updates

Corrected the Nevada crash-reporting rules: the 10-day report to the DMV (NRS 484E.070) applies at $750 or more, police must be notified of any damage to an unattended vehicle on a highway, and willful failure to report can bring a 1-year suspension rather than a revocation.

Corrected the DUI hit and run section: the Category A felony/life sentence for 3+ prior DUI convictions is Nevada's separate vehicular homicide statute (NRS 484C.440), not an escalation of the hit and run duty-to-stop statute (NRS 484E.010), which stays a flat Category B felony.

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Sources and References

  1. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 484E.010: duty to stop at scene of crash involving death or personal injury(leg.state.nv.us).gov
  2. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 484E.070: written or electronic report of crash to Department by driver or owner(leg.state.nv.us)
  3. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 484E.050: immediate notice to police of crash with unattended vehicle or property(leg.state.nv.us)
  4. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 484E.080: suspension for failure to report; false reports(leg.state.nv.us)
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