Wyoming Hit and Run Laws (2026 Guide)

Last verified: January 2026. This article reflects current Wyoming law under Wyo. Stat. §31-5-1101 through §31-5-1110.

Table of Contents

Quick Summary
Wyoming Hit and Run Law Explained
What to Do After an Accident
When It’s a Misdemeanor
When It’s a Felony
Complete Penalty Guide
Wyoming Crash Statistics
Reporting Requirements
How Fault Is Determined
Available Defenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Wyoming Laws

Quick Summary: Wyoming Hit and Run Laws

Under Wyoming Statutes Title 31, Chapter 5, Article 11, drivers involved in traffic accidents must stop and fulfill specific legal obligations. Leaving the scene without doing so constitutes a hit and run, which can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances.

Immediate stop required: You must stop your vehicle immediately after any accident.
Report threshold: Any accident resulting in death, injury, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be reported immediately.
Reporting method: Use “the quickest means of communication” to report.
Passenger duty: If the driver cannot report, any capable vehicle occupant must do so.
Wyoming is an at-fault state: The at-fault party pays the victim.
Statute of limitations: Four years for personal injury, two years for wrongful death.

Wyoming Hit and Run Laws Explained

Leaving the scene of an accident in Wyoming

Wyoming Statutes §31-5-1101 through §31-5-1108 establish the legal framework for accident reporting and the duties of drivers involved in collisions.

Your Legal Obligations Under Wyoming Law

Section §31-5-1103, “Duty to Give Information and Render Aid,” requires you to:

Provide identification: Your name, address, and vehicle registration number to the struck person, property owner, or law enforcement officer.
Show your license: Upon request and if available, exhibit your driver’s license to the struck person, passenger, peace officer, or person attending the victim.
Render reasonable assistance: Help anyone who needs it, which may include transporting an injured person to medical care.

Traffic movement: If the accident does not involve death or serious injury, you may move your vehicle to avoid obstructing traffic flow.

What to Do After an Accident in Wyoming

Following these steps helps protect your legal rights and can prevent criminal charges:

Stop immediately at or near the accident scene.
Call 911 if the accident is “reportable” (involves death, injury, or significant property damage).
Remain at the scene until law enforcement arrives or you have completed all legal obligations.
Do not engage in confrontation. Stay calm even if the other driver is upset.
Exchange information as required by law.
Render assistance if requested or if it is obvious the victim needs medical attention.
Collect evidence: Take photos, save dashcam footage, and gather witness information.
Seek medical attention for yourself, even if you feel fine.
File a police report within the required timeframe.
Do not admit fault or make statements that suggest responsibility.

Safety exception: If you have a valid reason to fear for your safety (such as an aggressive other driver), you may leave the scene and report the incident to law enforcement immediately.

When Hit and Run Is a Misdemeanor in Wyoming

Under §31-5-1102, “Duty to Stop a Vehicle Where the Accident Involves Damage to Attended Vehicle,” leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage is a misdemeanor.

Property Damage Only

If you leave the scene of an accident involving only property damage, you face misdemeanor charges with penalties up to six months in jail and a $750 fine for a first offense.

Hitting an Unattended Vehicle

Section §31-5-1104, “Duty Upon Colliding with Unattended Vehicle or Property,” requires you to:

Make a reasonable effort to locate the property owner.
If you find the owner, provide your name, address, and vehicle registration number.
If you cannot find the owner, leave a note in a secure, conspicuous location on the struck vehicle or property.

Failure to comply constitutes a hit and run offense.

Accidents Involving Injury

Leaving the scene of an accident involving non-serious injury is also a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

When Hit and Run Is a Felony in Wyoming

Hit and run becomes a felony in Wyoming when the accident involves death or serious injury, particularly when combined with aggravating factors.

Vehicular Homicide

Under §6-2-106, vehicular homicide occurs when someone dies as a result of criminally negligent driving. Standard vehicular homicide is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide

Aggravated vehicular homicide is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. This applies when the death results from:

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Operating a vehicle in a manner that unreasonably interferes with other motorists
Reckless endangerment

Fleeing the scene after causing a death typically results in enhanced charges and penalties.

Complete Penalty Guide for Wyoming Hit and Run

Offense	Classification	Jail/Prison Time	Maximum Fine
Property damage / unattended vehicle	Misdemeanor	Up to 6 months	$750
Injury (non-serious)	Misdemeanor	Up to 1 year	$5,000
Failure to report	Misdemeanor	Up to 1 year	$5,000
Vehicular homicide	Misdemeanor	Up to 1 year	$2,000
Aggravated vehicular homicide (DUI/reckless)	Felony	Up to 20 years	Varies

Additional consequences include license suspension, increased insurance premiums, and civil liability for damages.

Wyoming Traffic Crash Statistics

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Wyoming Department of Transportation:

2023 Traffic Deaths: 144 fatalities in Wyoming.
Fatality Rate: 24.7 deaths per 100,000 population (second highest in the nation, behind only Mississippi).
Miles Traveled Rate: 1.51 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
2025 Trends (through early year): Speeding-related fatalities up 40%, deaths involving lack of seatbelt use up 56% compared to the same period in 2024.

Crash Type Breakdown (2023)

Single-vehicle crashes: 53% of fatalities
Multiple-vehicle crashes: 47% of fatalities
Pickup/SUV occupants: 43% of deaths (highest proportion in the nation)
Car occupants: 24% of deaths
Large truck occupants: 7% of deaths
Motorcyclists: 10% of deaths
Pedestrians: 8% of deaths

Context: Wyoming’s low population density, rural roads, and high proportion of trucks and SUVs contribute to its distinctive crash profile. The state’s high fatality rate underscores the importance of following all traffic laws, including those requiring drivers to stop and report accidents.

Reporting Requirements

When Must You Report?

Under §31-5-1105, “Notice Required of Driver,” you must report any accident that results in:

Death
Injury
Property damage exceeding $1,000

How to Report

Reports must be made “immediately” using “the quickest means of communication.” In practice, this means calling 911 or the nearest law enforcement agency as soon as possible after the accident.

What If the Driver Cannot Report?

Section §31-5-1107 addresses situations where the driver is physically unable to report:

“Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of giving an immediate notice of an accident as required in W.S. 31-5-1105 and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident capable of doing so, the occupant shall make or cause to be given the notice not given by the driver.”

Use of Reports in Court

Section §31-5-1110 provides an important protection: accident reports cannot be used as evidence against you during trial. However, if you file a false report, the false report can be used against you.

How Fault Is Determined in Wyoming

Wyoming is an at-fault state with a comparative fault system. The at-fault party pays the victim, but damages may be reduced based on shared responsibility.

Wyoming’s comparative fault statute provides:

“Contributory fault shall not bar recovery in an action by any claimant or the claimant’s legal representative to recover damages for wrongful death or injury to person or property if the contributory fault of the claimant is not more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fault of all actors. Any damages allowed shall be diminished in proportion to the amount of fault attributed to the claimant.”

Key point: If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages from the other party.

Victim Compensation Options

Insurance claim: File with your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured.
Civil lawsuit: Sue the at-fault driver for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Punitive damages: In cases involving egregious conduct (such as fleeing the scene), courts may award additional punitive damages.

Statute of Limitations

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

Available Defenses

The best defense depends on the specific circumstances. Common defenses include:

Fulfilled obligations: You stopped and completed all statutory requirements before leaving.
Left a note: You made a reasonable effort to locate the property owner and left required information.
Mistaken identity: You were not the driver involved in the accident.
Vehicle stolen: You reported the vehicle stolen before the accident occurred.
Lack of knowledge: You genuinely did not know you were involved in an accident (though this defense has limits).
Safety concerns: You left the scene due to legitimate safety fears and reported immediately to law enforcement.

Recommendation: Consult with a defense attorney to determine the best strategy for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You must report “immediately” using the quickest means of communication. While there is no specific hour deadline stated in the statute, you should report as soon as physically possible after the accident. Delays without good reason can result in additional charges.

What if my passenger can report but I cannot?

Wyoming law specifically addresses this situation. If you are physically incapable of reporting, any capable occupant in your vehicle has a legal duty to make the report.

Can accident reports be used against me in court?

No, accident reports are protected from being used as evidence against you in criminal proceedings. However, false reports can be used against you, so always be truthful when filing.

Why does Wyoming have such a high traffic fatality rate?

Several factors contribute to Wyoming’s high fatality rate, including rural roads, long distances between destinations, extreme weather conditions, a high proportion of large vehicles (pickups and SUVs), and lower seatbelt compliance rates. The sparse population also means longer response times for emergency services in some areas.

What is the difference between vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular homicide?

Standard vehicular homicide involves criminally negligent driving that causes death and is a misdemeanor. Aggravated vehicular homicide involves additional factors such as DUI, reckless driving, or unreasonable interference with other motorists, and is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.