Utah Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Overview of Utah Hit and Run Laws

Under Utah Code Sections 41-6a-401 through 41-6a-403, every driver involved in an accident must stop, exchange information, and render reasonable assistance to injured persons. Knowingly leaving the scene without fulfilling these obligations is a criminal offense that ranges from a Class C misdemeanor for failing to leave a note on an unattended vehicle to a third-degree felony for accidents involving serious bodily injury or death.

Utah law places strong emphasis on the "knowledge" requirement. You must "knowingly" leave the scene, and "reason to believe" you were involved in an accident creates a legal obligation to stop. This knowledge standard affects both how the offense is charged and what defenses may be available.

Utah operates as a no-fault insurance state, meaning drivers file initial injury claims under their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, this does not eliminate criminal liability for leaving the scene. The no-fault system addresses insurance claims, not criminal responsibility.

Last verified: March 2026. This page reflects current Utah Code Sections 41-6a-401 through 41-6a-403 and applicable penalty classifications.

Penalties for Hit and Run in Utah

Utah classifies hit and run offenses based on the type and severity of the accident. Penalties increase significantly when injuries are involved.

Offense	Statute	Classification	Maximum Penalty
Unattended vehicle or property (no note)	§ 41-6a-401.7	Class C Misdemeanor	90 days jail, $750 fine
Property damage (knowingly leaving)	§ 41-6a-401	Class B Misdemeanor	6 months jail, $1,000 fine
Injury (leaving scene)	§ 41-6a-401.3	Class A Misdemeanor	364 days jail, $750 minimum fine
Serious bodily injury	§ 41-6a-401.3	Third-degree Felony	5 years prison, $750 minimum fine
Death	§ 41-6a-401.5	Third-degree Felony	5 years prison, $750 minimum fine
Automobile homicide (DUI-related)	§ 76-5-207	Third-degree Felony	5 years prison

Additional Consequences

A hit and run conviction triggers driver's license suspension or revocation. Your insurance premiums will rise substantially. Driving without insurance in Utah is a Class B misdemeanor by itself.

A felony conviction creates a permanent criminal record that affects employment, housing, and professional licensing. The court may also order restitution to victims for medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.

Driver Duties After an Accident

Utah Code establishes specific obligations that apply to every driver involved in an accident. These duties activate immediately upon involvement in a collision, regardless of fault.

Duty to Stop

Under § 41-6a-401, the operator of any vehicle involved in an accident must immediately stop at the scene or as close as possible without obstructing traffic more than necessary. You must remain at the scene until you have fulfilled all information exchange and aid requirements.

Duty to Exchange Information

You must provide the following information to the other party or to a peace officer:

• Your name and address
• Your vehicle registration number
• Your phone number
• Your insurance company name and policy number

You must also show your driver's license upon request by the other party or a peace officer.

Duty to Render Aid

If anyone is injured, you must render reasonable assistance. This includes arranging transportation to a physician, surgeon, or hospital if the injured person requests it or if the need for treatment is apparent.

Utah law specifically permits you to transport an injured person to a medical facility. Doing so does not constitute leaving the scene as long as you report the accident promptly afterward.

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

If the accident results in injury or death, you must promptly notify law enforcement by the quickest means available. For property-damage-only accidents exceeding $2,500, you must still file a written report.

When Hit and Run Is a Misdemeanor

Utah classifies hit and run as a misdemeanor in three situations, each carrying different penalties.

Class C Misdemeanor: Unattended Vehicle or Property (§ 41-6a-401.7)

If you strike an unattended vehicle or other property, you must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner. If you cannot find them, leave a note in a conspicuous place on the struck vehicle or property containing:

• Your name and address
• Your vehicle registration number
• Your insurance information

Failure to leave a note or locate the owner is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. This is the least severe hit and run charge in Utah, but it still creates a criminal record.

Class B Misdemeanor: Property Damage (§ 41-6a-401)

Knowingly leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage without exchanging required information is a Class B misdemeanor. This applies when the other vehicle or property is attended and you fail to stop and provide your details.

The maximum penalty is 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Class A Misdemeanor: Injury (§ 41-6a-401.3)

Leaving the scene of an accident where a person suffered non-serious injuries, or failing to render required aid, is a Class A misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is 364 days in jail, with a minimum fine of $750.

This classification applies when injuries exist but do not rise to the level of "serious bodily injury" as defined by Utah law.

When Hit and Run Is a Felony

Utah elevates hit and run to a third-degree felony under two circumstances.

Serious Bodily Injury (§ 41-6a-401.3)

If the accident results in serious bodily injury and you knowingly leave the scene, the offense is a third-degree felony. Utah defines serious bodily injury as an injury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes protracted loss or impairment of a body member or organ, or results in permanent disfigurement or disability.

The penalty is up to 5 years in prison with a minimum fine of $750.

Death (§ 41-6a-401.5)

If the accident results in a death and you leave the scene, the offense is a third-degree felony. The penalty is up to 5 years in prison with a minimum fine of $750.

Under § 76-5-207.8, each victim suffering injury, serious injury, or death constitutes a separate offense, regardless of whether the injuries arise from the same driving episode. This means that an accident injuring multiple people can result in multiple felony charges.

Automobile Homicide (§ 76-5-207)

Automobile homicide is a separate third-degree felony charge that applies when a driver negligently causes death while:

• Having a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.05 grams or greater
• Being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating a vehicle

This charge can be filed alongside hit and run charges, compounding the potential prison time.

The Knowledge Requirement

Utah's hit and run statute hinges on the concept of "knowledge." This is an important element that affects both prosecution and defense.

The statute defines "knowledge" as being aware of the nature of your conduct or the circumstances surrounding it. "Reason to believe" means information from which a reasonable person would conclude they may have been involved in an accident.

If you did not know and had no reason to believe you were involved in an accident, you may not meet the legal threshold for a hit and run charge. However, courts look at the totality of the circumstances. Evidence such as impact force, vehicle damage, noise, and witness testimony can establish that a reasonable person would have known about the collision.

Reporting Requirements

Under Utah Code § 41-6a-402, you must report any accident that results in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $2,500. The report must be filed within 10 days.

Contact law enforcement immediately if the accident involves injury or death. For property-damage-only accidents above the $2,500 threshold, you may file the report after leaving the scene, but you must do so within the 10-day window.

If the driver is unable to report the accident due to their injuries, a passenger in either vehicle may fulfill the reporting obligation.

Failure to file a required accident report is an infraction under Utah law, separate from any hit and run charges.

Utah Crash Statistics

According to data from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and Department of Public Safety, traffic safety trends show both progress and concerning patterns.

• 2025: 264 traffic fatalities statewide, the lowest since 2019 (248 fatalities)
• 2024: 277 fatalities, with July being the deadliest month on record (49 fatal crashes causing 54 deaths)
• 2023: 279 fatalities statewide

Despite the overall decline, several categories saw troubling increases in 2025:

• Teen fatalities nearly doubled from 18 in 2024 to 31 in 2025
• Motorcycle deaths rose 32%, from 53 to 70 fatalities
• Senior fatalities increased 43%, from 37 to 53 deaths

UDOT and DPS continue to emphasize driver responsibility and safety awareness campaigns, particularly targeting the summer months when fatal crashes peak.

Utah's No-Fault Insurance System

Utah is a no-fault insurance state. After an accident, you file a claim under your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage regardless of who was at fault.

How PIP Works

Utah requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $3,000 in PIP coverage under Utah Code § 31A-22-309. PIP covers:

• Medical bills resulting from accident injuries
• Lost wages (the lesser of $250 per week or 85% of gross lost income)
• Household services you cannot perform due to your injuries
• Funeral, burial, or cremation expenses if the accident causes death

PIP coverage applies to the policyholder, passengers in the vehicle, and pedestrians or bicyclists injured in the accident.

When You Can Sue the At-Fault Driver

Utah's no-fault system limits lawsuits, but you retain the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver when your damages exceed your PIP coverage limits. You may also sue for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in cases involving serious injury.

Statute of Limitations for Civil Claims

• Personal injury claims: 4 years from the date of the accident
• Property damage claims: 3 years from the date of the accident
• Wrongful death claims: 2 years from the date of death

Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges

Utah's knowledge requirement creates several potential defenses. The prosecution must prove you knowingly left the scene.

• Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that an accident occurred. This defense is strongest when the collision was minor and occurred in noisy traffic conditions.
• No reason to believe: Even if an accident occurred, you had no information that would cause a reasonable person to believe they were involved in a collision.
• Fear for safety: You reasonably believed that remaining at the scene would endanger your life. You must still notify law enforcement as soon as possible.
• Left to seek help: You departed to find emergency assistance or to transport an injured person to a hospital. Utah law specifically permits this.
• Mistaken identity: You were not the driver, or the vehicle identified was not the one involved in the accident.
• No injury or damage: The other party suffered no injury and no property was damaged.

If you left the scene, contact law enforcement immediately and file your report within the 10-day window. Prompt reporting and cooperation can help demonstrate that your departure was not a willful attempt to evade responsibility.

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