Laws vary from state to state, but in most states it is a crime or criminal offense for the operator of a motor vehicle to leave the scene of single car accident involving an unattended (unoccupied) vehicle or other property, or to leave the scene of a single car accident involving highway fixtures (barricades, medians, guardrails), traffic control devices (stop signs, yield signs, railroad crossing gate arms, etc.), or other real or personal property (a ditch, embankment, or building).

It is also a criminal offense in most states for the operator of a motor vehicle to leave the scene of an accident involving personal injuries or death—including an accident in which the operator of a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian or cyclist, for example. And it is a criminal offense in most states for the operator of a motor vehicle to leave the scene of an accident involving multiple motor vehicles.

The duties of an operator of a motor vehicle involved in an accident may vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in a code titled with a name like “vehicles and traffic” or “transportation,” for example. These duties generally include:

• the duty to share information such as name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number with other motor vehicle operators involved in the accident, or owners of property involved in the accident—or with the police if such other persons are not able to receive the information;

• the duty to stop and locate or notify the owner of property involved in a motor vehicle accident (such as an unattended motor vehicle or other property) of the accident and of the motor vehicle operator’s name, address, and vehicle registration number, for example;

• the duty to notify the road authority (the state department of transportation, for example) of the accident, and provide the motor vehicle operator’s name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number, for example;

• the duty to stop and provide any person who suffered personal injuries or death with any reasonable assistance possible, including calling an ambulance to transport such person to the hospital for medical care or evaluation (known as the duty to stop and render aid); and

• the duty to report to the police any accident involving bodily injury or death of any person, or involving property damage.

In Louisiana, as in most states, it is indeed a criminal offense for the operator of a motor vehicle to leave the scene of an accident, whether it involves an unattended vehicle, property damage, or personal injury. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 14:100, drivers are required to stop at the scene of an accident, provide aid, exchange information, and report the accident to the police. Specifically, drivers must give their name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other party or parties involved, and show their driver's license if requested. If the accident involves an unattended vehicle or other property, the driver must make an effort to locate the owner or leave a note with the necessary information. For accidents resulting in injury, death, or significant property damage, the driver must also notify the nearest law enforcement agency. Failing to fulfill these duties can result in penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the accident and the resulting harm or damage.