Last verified: January 2026. This page reflects current 23 V.S.A. Section 1128 and applicable penalty classifications as amended through 2025.
Table of Contents
Overview of Vermont Hit and Run Laws
Under 23 V.S.A. Section 1128, drivers involved in crashes must immediately stop, render reasonable assistance, and provide identifying information to injured persons, property owners, or law enforcement. Leaving the scene without fulfilling these obligations is a criminal offense, with penalties ranging from a fine and up to two years imprisonment for property damage to up to 15 years in prison for fatal crashes.
Quick Summary:
- Property damage or injury (not serious): Up to 2 years jail, $2,000 fine
- Serious bodily injury: Up to 5 years prison, $3,000 fine
- Death: 1 to 15 years prison, $3,000 fine
- DUI causing death: Up to 15 years prison, $10,000 fine
- Report accidents involving death, injury, or property damage over $3,000 within 72 hours
- Vermont is a fault state with comparative negligence rules
- $50 surcharge added to all hit-and-run convictions for the DUI Enforcement Fund
Primary Statute Reference: 23 V.S.A. Section 1128
Driver Duties After an Accident
Section 1128 establishes specific obligations for drivers involved in crashes. You must:
- Immediately stop without obstructing traffic more than necessary
- Render reasonable assistance to anyone who needs it
- Provide information including your name, residence, and license number to injured persons or property owners
- Cooperate with law enforcement at the scene
Under Section 1102, if the vehicle is a hazard to other motorists, you should move it to a safe location. However, if anyone suffers death or serious injury, or if you were transporting hazardous materials, do not move the vehicle until investigators complete their work.
Unattended Vehicle Collisions
If you strike an unattended vehicle or property, you must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner. If unsuccessful, leave a note containing your name, address, vehicle registration, and contact information in a conspicuous place on the struck property. If property damage exceeds $3,000, you must also notify law enforcement.
Reporting Requirements
Under Section 1129, you have 72 hours to report any accident that results in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $3,000. Notification should be made using the quickest available means of communication.
When Hit and Run Is a Misdemeanor
In Vermont, crimes punishable by less than two years imprisonment are classified as misdemeanors. Under Section 1128(a), leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage or non-serious injury is punishable by:
- Maximum fine of $2,000
- Up to 2 years imprisonment
- Or both
A $50 surcharge is added to any fine imposed, credited to the DUI Enforcement Fund.
When Hit and Run Is a Felony
In Vermont, crimes punishable by more than two years imprisonment are felonies. Section 1128(b) and (c) establish felony penalties:
Serious bodily injury (Section 1128(b)):
- Up to 5 years imprisonment
- Maximum fine of $3,000
- Or both
Death (Section 1128(c)):
- Not less than 1 year imprisonment
- Up to 15 years imprisonment
- Maximum fine of $3,000
- Or both
Serious bodily injury under Vermont law means any injury that puts the victim at significant risk of death, disfigurement, or loss of function. Examples include organ damage, facial disfigurement, and limb loss.
DUI Hit and Run
Under 23 V.S.A. Sections 1201 and 1210, causing injury or death while driving under the influence carries enhanced penalties:
- Serious bodily injury (DUI): Up to 15 years prison, $5,000 fine
- Death (DUI): Up to 15 years prison, $10,000 fine
Each victim constitutes a separate offense.
Penalties Summary
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Property damage or non-serious injury | Misdemeanor | 2 years jail, $2,000 fine |
| Serious bodily injury | Felony | 5 years prison, $3,000 fine |
| Death | Felony | 1-15 years prison, $3,000 fine |
| DUI causing serious injury | Felony | 15 years prison, $5,000 fine |
| DUI causing death | Felony | 15 years prison, $10,000 fine |
Additional consequences: All convictions include a mandatory $50 surcharge for the DUI Enforcement Fund. License suspension or revocation is likely upon conviction.
Vermont Crash Statistics
According to Vermont State Police and Agency of Transportation data:
- 59 traffic fatalities occurred in Vermont in 2024, a decrease from the prior year
- Of the 2024 fatalities: 44 were drivers, 7 passengers, 6 pedestrians, and 2 bicyclists
- 61 crash fatalities have been recorded through December 2025, compared to 58 at the same point in 2024
- The 10-year average for traffic fatalities is approximately 65 per year
- Vermont saw traffic deaths decline for the second consecutive year in 2024 after a 10-year peak
Vermont’s relatively small population and rural road network contribute to a different crash profile than larger states, but hit-and-run incidents remain a concern, particularly during winter months with challenging driving conditions.
Vermont Good Samaritan Law
Title 12, Section 519 establishes Vermont’s Good Samaritan law, which creates a legal duty to assist others in certain circumstances:
“A person who knows that another is exposed to grave physical harm shall, to the extent that the same can be rendered without danger or peril to himself or without interference with important duties owed to others, give reasonable assistance to the exposed person unless that assistance or care is being provided by others.”
Failure to comply with this duty is punishable by a maximum fine of $100. Additionally, if you were responsible for the accident or fled the scene, the court may impose punitive damages in any civil action.
The Good Samaritan law protects those who provide reasonable assistance from civil liability unless their acts constitute gross negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vermont a fault or no-fault state?
Vermont is a fault (tort) state. The at-fault party is responsible for paying damages to the victim. Vermont’s comparative negligence rule (Section 1036) reduces recovery based on the victim’s share of responsibility for the accident, but does not bar recovery unless the victim’s negligence exceeds the defendant’s.
How long do I have to report an accident in Vermont?
You have 72 hours to file a report for any accident resulting in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $3,000. Report to the nearest law enforcement agency as soon as possible.
What qualifies as serious bodily injury?
Serious bodily injury means any injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes permanent disfigurement, loss of function, or prolonged impairment. Examples include organ damage, severe burns, facial disfigurement, and limb amputation.
Can I leave the scene to get help for an injured person?
Yes. Transporting an injured person to a physician or hospital is permitted if they request it or if it is clearly necessary. You should report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible afterward.
What is the statute of limitations for civil claims?
In Vermont, you have three years to file a personal injury claim, six years for property damage, and two years for wrongful death (starting from the date of death).