Hit-and-Run / Fleeing the Scene of an Accident
Written and checked byManju Shekhar· Motor Law & Compliance
Fleeing the scene of an accident without stopping to help or reporting it to the police — a criminal offence under Indian law.
Fine (1st)
₹5,000 fine (₹10,000 repeat)
Imprisonment
Up to 6 months for failing to stop/report (up to 1 year repeat); death or injury is prosecuted separately under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
What the Law Says
Fleeing an accident scene — commonly called "hit-and-run" — is a serious criminal offence under the Motor Vehicles Act. Section 134 places a legal duty on any driver involved in an accident to stop, render assistance to the injured, and report the incident to the nearest police station. Failure to do so is punishable independently of the accident itself. Section 161, as substituted by the 2019 amendment, raised the government compensation for a death caused by an unidentified vehicle to ₹2,00,000 (from ₹25,000) and for grievous hurt to ₹50,000, paid from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
"When any person is injured or any property of a third party is damaged, as a result of an accident in which a motor vehicle is involved, the driver of the vehicle or other person in charge of the vehicle shall— (a) unless it is not practicable to do so on account of mob fury or any other reason beyond his control, take all reasonable steps to secure medical attention for the injured person..." — Sec. 134, MV Act 1988. Hit-and-run compensation (untraceable vehicle): Sec. 161.
Consequences
- Fine of ₹5,000 for failure to stop/report (Sec. 187), ₹10,000 for a repeat offence
- Imprisonment up to 6 months for failure to report
- Charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita if the victim dies or is seriously injured — Sec. 106(1) (death by negligence, up to 5 years) or Sec. 125(b) (grievous hurt)
- Driving licence suspension or cancellation
- Potential civil liability for full compensation to victim
- Insurance cover may be voided — personal liability for all damages
How to Avoid This Violation
- ✓Always stop after an accident, no matter how minor
- ✓Call 112 (emergency) immediately — you are legally required to
- ✓Render first aid if safe to do so — Good Samaritan protections apply to you too
- ✓Staying at the scene and cooperating is always better legally than fleeing
What to Do If Caught
- 1.Cooperate fully with police — attempting to hide facts compounds the offence
- 2.Engage a lawyer immediately — criminal charges may be involved
- 3.Notify your insurer of the accident as soon as possible
Key Facts
₹2,00,000
compensation for death in hit-and-run (Sec. 161)
₹50,000
compensation for grievous hurt in hit-and-run (Sec. 161)
Legal Reference
Sections 134, 187 & 161, MV Act
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Sections 134, 161, 162; MV Amendment Act 2019
Information sourced from Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Sections 134, 161, 162; MV Amendment Act 2019. For awareness only — consult a legal professional for specific advice.