Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Hit and Run Laws: Statutes, Penalties, and Defenses
Pennsylvania penalizes leaving the scene of an accident under 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3742 and related statutes, with severity tied to the harm caused. Property damage is a third-degree misdemeanor; serious bodily injury carries a mandatory 90-day prison minimum; and death is a second-degree felony with a mandatory 3-year minimum.
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 Pennsylvania Car Accident Settlement Calculator.
Quick Summary: Pennsylvania Hit and Run Penalties
Pennsylvania's hit and run laws are found in Title 75, Chapter 37 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Penalties vary based on the severity of the accident.
- Death (second-degree felony): Mandatory minimum 3 years in prison, minimum $2,500 fine
- Serious bodily injury (third-degree felony): Mandatory minimum 90 days in prison, minimum $1,000 fine
- Injury (first-degree misdemeanor): Up to 5 years in prison, up to $10,000 fine
- Property damage (third-degree misdemeanor): Up to 1 year in jail, up to $2,500 fine
- Unattended vehicle (summary offense): Up to 90 days in jail, up to $300 fine
- Report requirement: Immediate notification to police for death, injury, or vehicle unable to be driven
- Written accident report: Within 5 days to PennDOT if police do not investigate a reportable accident (Section 3747)
Your Legal Duties at the Scene of an Accident
Under 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3742 and Section 3744, Pennsylvania law requires a driver involved in an accident to:
- Stop immediately at the scene or as close to it as possible, then return to and remain at the scene until you have met your Section 3744 duties (Section 3742(a)). Every stop must be made without obstructing traffic more than necessary.
- Provide information: Give your name, vehicle registration number, and address to the victim, law enforcement, or occupant of the struck vehicle.
- Show your license: Upon request, exhibit your license and insurance information to the struck property owner or vehicle occupant.
- Render reasonable assistance to any person injured in the accident.
That assistance includes arranging for an injured person to be taken to a physician, surgeon, or hospital if treatment is apparently necessary or the injured person requests it.
If a driver is physically unable to give the information or assistance, other occupants of that driver's own vehicle who are able to must reveal their identity, the driver's identity, and the vehicle owner's identity, and perform the driver's duties (Section 3744(c)).
What If No One Can Receive Your Information?
Sections 3742 and 3744 contain no exception that lets a driver leave the scene out of fear for their safety. If you believe you are in danger, call 911 from the scene. Separately, if none of the people entitled to your information is in condition to receive it and no police officer is present, Section 3744(b) requires you, after fulfilling your other duties as far as possible, to report the accident promptly to the nearest police department and give it the same information.
How to Protect Yourself After an Accident
- Stop at the scene and remain until you exchange information or law enforcement clears you to leave
- Render reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the accident
- Do not admit fault at the scene
- Do not threaten, harm, or engage in road rage after an accident
- Collect evidence, including dashcam footage and witness testimonies
- Call your attorney before filing an accident report if the accident results in expensive property damage, death, or injury
- Call your insurer, and if police did not investigate a reportable accident, send a written report to PennDOT within 5 days
Misdemeanor Hit and Run in Pennsylvania
Property Damage Only (Third-Degree Misdemeanor)
Under 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3743, leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage without exchanging information is a third-degree misdemeanor. Penalties include:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Maximum fine of $2,500
- License suspension
Injury Without Serious Bodily Harm (First-Degree Misdemeanor)
If the accident causes injury that does not rise to the level of "serious bodily injury," leaving the scene is a first-degree misdemeanor under 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3742. Penalties include:
- Up to 5 years in prison
- Maximum fine of $10,000
Hitting an Unattended Vehicle (Summary Offense)
Under 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3745, if you hit an unattended vehicle, you must:
- Immediately stop your vehicle
- Make a reasonable effort to locate the struck vehicle owner
- If you cannot locate the owner, attach a note containing your name, vehicle registration, address, and contact information to a visible part of the struck vehicle
- Report the accident to the nearest police department
Failure to follow these steps is a summary offense punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $300 fine.
Reportable Accidents
Section 3746 requires you to immediately notify the nearest police department using the quickest means of communication if the accident involves death, injury, or a vehicle that cannot be driven safely under its own power.
Police investigate every accident reported under Section 3746. If an officer does not investigate a reportable accident, a separate statute, Section 3747, requires each driver involved to send a written report to PennDOT within 5 days.
Evading the police in Pennsylvania is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.
Driving Without a License or on a Suspended License
75 Pa.C.S. Section 3742.1 is a separate offense, not a hit-and-run enhancement, and it has no leaving-the-scene element. It applies to a driver whose privilege was suspended, revoked, canceled, recalled, or disqualified, or who has no valid license for the vehicle, and who causes or negligently contributes to an accident resulting in injury or death. It does not cover property-damage-only accidents.
- Causing an injury accident: second-degree misdemeanor
- Causing serious bodily injury or death: third-degree felony
- Negligently contributing to serious bodily injury: third-degree misdemeanor
- Negligently contributing to a death: second-degree misdemeanor
Felony Hit and Run in Pennsylvania
Serious Bodily Injury (Third-Degree Felony)
Under 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3742, if an accident causes serious bodily injury and you knowingly leave the scene without fulfilling your statutory obligations, you are guilty of a third-degree felony.
"Serious bodily injury" refers to any injury that creates a significant risk of death, causes serious permanent disfigurement, or results in prolonged loss or impairment of any bodily function.
Penalties include:
- Mandatory minimum of 90 days in prison
- Mandatory minimum fine of $1,000
- Up to 7 years in prison
- License suspension or revocation
Death (Second-Degree Felony)
If the accident causes death and you leave the scene, the charge escalates to a second-degree felony. Penalties include:
- Mandatory minimum of 3 years in prison
- Mandatory minimum fine of $2,500
- Up to 10 years in prison
- License revocation
The statute explicitly states that courts have no authority to impose a lesser sentence, place the offender on probation, or suspend the sentence for these felony hit and run convictions. Sentencing guidelines from the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing cannot override these mandatory minimums.
Pennsylvania Hit and Run Penalties Summary
- Property damage: Third-degree misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail, $2,500 fine
- Unattended vehicle: Summary offense, up to 90 days in jail, $300 fine
- Injury (not serious): First-degree misdemeanor, up to 5 years in prison, $10,000 fine
- Serious bodily injury: Third-degree felony, mandatory minimum 90 days in prison, minimum $1,000 fine, up to 7 years
- Death: Second-degree felony, mandatory minimum 3 years in prison, minimum $2,500 fine, up to 10 years
- Evading police: Second-degree misdemeanor, up to 2 years in prison, $5,000 fine
- Negligent homicide: Third-degree felony, up to 7 years in prison, $15,000 fine
Upon conviction for any of these offenses, the state will suspend or revoke your driving privileges.
Civil Liability and How Fault Is Determined
Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, meaning your insurer pays for your medical treatment and other expenses covered under your policy. However, if you suffer severe injuries that meet the state's threshold, you may sue the other driver for damages.
If you do not file an accident report, your insurer may deny you compensation.
Victims of a hit and run may take civil action to recover lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Injury claims carry a 2-year deadline, so get a free claim review from a Pennsylvania car accident lawyer that covers your own UM/UIM coverage (attorney advertising).
Statute of Limitations:
- Personal injury claims: 2 years from the date of the accident
- Property damage claims: 2 years
- Wrongful death claims: 2 years from the date of death
What Victims Should Do
- Call the police immediately after a hit and run
- Gather evidence, including the fleeing driver's description, car make, color, damage to the vehicle, and any other useful details
- Seek medical attention and do not comment about your health until you talk to a professional
- Do not accept responsibility for the accident or use words that indicate guilt
- Call your attorney and insurer
- Keep records of treatment, repairs, or replacement costs
Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges
Several defenses may apply to hit and run charges in Pennsylvania:
- Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that an accident occurred
- Compliance: You fulfilled all statutory obligations before leaving the scene
- Mistaken identity: You were not the driver of the vehicle
- No injury or damage: The accident did not result in injury or property damage
Other Pennsylvania Laws
- Pennsylvania Recording Laws
- Pennsylvania Car Seat Laws
- Pennsylvania Lemon Law
- Pennsylvania Sexting Laws
- Pennsylvania Child Support Laws
- Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations
- Pennsylvania Whistleblower Laws
More Pennsylvania Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the mandatory minimum penalties for felony hit and run in Pennsylvania?
For serious bodily injury, the mandatory minimum is 90 days in prison and a $1,000 fine. For death, the mandatory minimum is 3 years in prison and a $2,500 fine. Courts have no authority to impose lesser sentences, grant probation, or suspend these sentences.
How long do I have to file an accident report in Pennsylvania?
You must notify police immediately using the quickest means for accidents involving death, injury, or a vehicle that cannot be driven safely. If a police officer does not investigate the accident, each driver must send a written report to PennDOT within 5 days under Section 3747.
Is leaving the scene of a property damage accident a felony in Pennsylvania?
No. Property damage hit and run is typically a third-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Can I leave the scene if I feel unsafe?
Pennsylvania's hit-and-run statutes, Sections 3742 and 3744, contain no exception for leaving the scene out of fear. If you feel unsafe, call 911 from the scene. If no one entitled to your information can receive it and no officer is present, Section 3744(b) requires you to report the accident promptly to the nearest police department.
What is the statute of limitations for a hit and run in Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations for personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of the accident. If the victim dies, the 2-year period for wrongful death claims starts from the date of death.
Updates
Corrected the scene duties, removed a nonexistent fear-for-safety exception, attributed the 5-day written report to Section 3747, and restated Section 3742.1 as a separate unlicensed-driver offense for injury or death accidents.
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 (Vehicles)
§ 3742Accidents involving death or personal injuryIn forcecited in 5 of our articles
(a) General rule.--The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of section 3744 (relating to duty to give information and render aid). Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. (a.1) Highly automated vehicles.--If a vehicle under subsection (a) is a highly automated vehicle operating with an ADS engaged or without a highly automated vehicle driver on board, the requirements of this section are satisfied if the highly automated vehicle stops at the scene of an accident or as close thereto as is safely possible and remains at the scene until the requirements of section 3744 have been fulfilled. (b) Penalties.-- (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person violating this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-24 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 87 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Druce (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2004, 577 Pa. 581)“…hought he hit a sign and contested the constitutionality of 75 Pa. C.S. 3742(a). Judge Kleinfelter merely commented…”
- Commonwealth v. Woosnam (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2003, 2003 Pa. Super. 99)“…an accident involving death or personal injury of a person, 75 Pa.C.S. § 3742, if she knew or should have known that…”
- Com. v. Warunek, J. (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2022, 279 A.3d 52)“…pen plea to one count of leaving the scene of an accident (75 Pa.C.S. § 3742(a)). During the plea colloquy, War…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type, Hit and Run Laws in the United States (2026 Guide)
§ 3742.1Accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensedIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Offense defined.--A person whose operating privilege was disqualified, canceled, recalled, revoked or suspended and not restored or who does not hold a valid driver's license and applicable endorsements for the type and class of vehicle being operated commits an offense under this section if the person was the driver of any vehicle and: (1) caused an accident resulting in injury or death of a person; or (2) acted with negligence that contributed to causing the accident resulting in injury or death of a person. (b) Penalties.-- (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person violating subsection (a)(1) commits a misdemeanor of the second degree. (2) If the victim suffers serious bodily injury or death, any person violating subsection (a)(1) commits a felony of the third degree. (2.1) A person violating subsection (a)(2) resulting in the serious bodily injury of a person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. (2.2) A person violating subsection (a)(2) resulting in the death of a person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 31 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Drabic v. COM., DEPT. OF TRANSP. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2006, 588 Pa. 670)“…3732 (homicide by vehicle) 3 years 75 Pa.C.S. § 3742.1 (Accidents involving death or personal…”
- Commonwealth v. Raven (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2014, 2014 Pa. Super. 168)“…accident resulting in injury or death of any person. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3742.1. -…”
- Commonwealth v. Jarosz (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2016, 2016 Pa. Super. 281)“…denied following a hearing. On June 1 75 Pa.C.S. § 3732; 75 Pa.C.S. § 3742.1(b)(2); 75 Pa.C.S. § 3742(a); 75 Pa.C.S.…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3743Accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or propertyIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) General rule.--The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible but shall forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of section 3744 (relating to duty to give information and render aid). Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. (a.1) Highly automated vehicles.-- (1) If a vehicle under subsection (a) is a highly automated vehicle operating with an ADS engaged or without a highly automated vehicle driver on board, the requirements of this section are satisfied if the highly automated vehicle stops at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as is safely possible and the certificate holder for the highly automated vehicle or a person on behalf of the certificate holder for the highly automated vehicle or the highly automated vehicle immediately contacts a duly authorized police department to report the accident.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 70 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Kauffman (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 1984, 323 Pa. Super. 363)“…hing. Gettysburg police cited Kauffman for a violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3743, which reads: Accidents involving dam…”
- Commonwealth v. Woosnam (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2003, 2003 Pa. Super. 99)“…dy have had occasion to review another hit-and-run statute, 75 Pa.C.S. § 3743, accidents involving damage to attended…”
- Commonwealth v. Stover (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 1988, 372 Pa. Super. 35)“…as found to have violated Section 3743 of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § 3743. 1 The trial judge in…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3744Duty to give information and render aidIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) General rule.--The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person shall give his name, address and the registration number of the vehicle he is driving, and shall upon request exhibit his driver's license and information relating to financial responsibility to any person injured in the accident or to the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle or other property damaged in the accident and shall give the information and upon request exhibit the license and information relating to financial responsibility to any police officer at the scene of the accident or who is investigating the accident and shall render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including the making of arrangements for the carrying of the injured person to a physician, surgeon or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if requested by the injured person.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 32 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Beatty (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 1981, 286 Pa. Super. 166)“…of the accident, a summary offense under the Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S. § 3744). On April 6, 1979 the Commonwealth pro…”
- Commonwealth v. Satterfield, J., Aplt. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2021)“…of the driver as set forth in subsection (a). 75 Pa.C.S. § 3744. 3 See Commonwealth ex rel. Hough v. Ma…”
- Commonwealth v. Edwards (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2006, 2006 Pa. Super. 225)“…required by Section 3744 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3744(a). Upon further investigation, Officer…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3745Accidents involving damage to unattended vehicle or propertyIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) General rule.--The driver of any vehicle which collides with or is involved in an accident with any vehicle or other property which is unattended resulting in any damage to the other vehicle or property shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible and shall then and there either locate and notify the operator or owner of the damaged vehicle or other property of his name, address, information relating to financial responsibility and the registration number of the vehicle being driven or shall attach securely in a conspicuous place in or on the damaged vehicle or other property a written notice giving his name, address, information relating to financial responsibility and the registration number of the vehicle being driven and shall without unnecessary delay notify the nearest office of a duly authorized police department. Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 26 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Verticelli (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 1998, 550 Pa. 435)“…an accident, the corpus delicti for the offense defined by 75 Pa.C.S. § 3745 6 , commonly referred to a…”
- Commonwealth v. Peters (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2007, 2007 Pa. Super. 11)“…leaving any identifying information. ¶ 7 Pursuant to 75 Pa.C.S. § 3745, it is a summary offense for a person t…”
- Commonwealth v. Cornell (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 1992, 414 Pa. Super. 546)“…rikes and damages such a vehicle and fails to stop violates 75 Pa.C.S. § 3745 and not 75 Pa.C.S. § 3743. On Novembe…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3746Immediate notice of accident to police departmentIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) General rule.--The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice to the nearest office of a duly authorized police department if the accident involves: (1) injury to or death of any person; or (2) damage to any vehicle involved to the extent that it cannot be driven under its own power in its customary manner without further damage or hazard to the vehicle, other traffic elements, or the roadway, and therefore requires towing. (a.1) Highly automated vehicles.--If a vehicle under subsection (a) is a highly automated vehicle operating with an ADS engaged or without a highly automated vehicle driver on board, the requirements of this section are satisfied if the certificate holder for the highly automated vehicle, a person on behalf of the certificate holder for the highly automated vehicle or the highly automated vehicle immediately contacts a duly authorized police department to report the accident.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 21 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Mendenhall (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 1998, 552 Pa. 484)“…the scene pending the police investigation is contained in 75 Pa.C.S. § 3746, which states in pertinent part: § 37…”
- Reinhart v. Commonwealth, Department of Transportation (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania 2008, 946 A.2d 167)“…dents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property); 75 Pa.C.S. § 3746(a)(1) (relating to providing notice of…”
- Commonwealth v. Druce (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2005, 2005 Pa. Super. 55)“…75 Pa.C.S..§ 3361); Immediate Notice of Accident to Police (75 Pa.C.S. § 3746); and Duty to Give Information and Rend…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3747Written report of accident by driver or ownerIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) General rule.--If a police officer does not investigate an accident required to be investigated by section 3746 (relating to immediate notice of accident to police department), the driver of a vehicle which is in any manner involved in the accident shall, within five days of the accident, forward a written report of the accident to the department. (b) Supplemental reports.--The department may require any driver of a vehicle involved in an accident of which written report must be made as provided in this section to file supplemental written reports whenever the original report is insufficient in the opinion of the department. (c) Exception for disabled persons.--A written accident report is not required under this subchapter from any person who is physically incapable of making a report during the period of incapacity. (d) Duty of owner if driver disabled.--Whenever the driver is physically incapable of making a written report of an accident as required in this section and the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, then the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident shall, within five days after the accident, make the report not made by the driver.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 1983
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Miethner v. Ulrich (Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Lebanon County 1983, 33 Pa. D. & C.3d 386)“…ed and the rule issued January 4, 1983 is discharged. . 75 Pa.C.S. §3747, 3751 and 3754 (Purdon). . If the…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
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Sources and References
- 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3742: Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury(legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3743: Accidents Involving Damage to Attended Vehicle or Property(legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3744: Duty to Give Information and Render Aid(legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3745: Accidents Involving Damage to Unattended Vehicle or Property(legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3746: Immediate Notice of Accident to Police Department(legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3742.1: Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury While Not Properly Licensed(legis.state.pa.us)
- 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3747: Written Report of Accident by Driver or Owner(legis.state.pa.us)
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