Car Accident Claims in Vermont
Minimum car insurance in Vermont, whether the state is no-fault, how fault is shared, and the deadline to sue after a crash.
Short answer: The driver in a crash in which anyone is injured, or total property damage is $3,000 or more, must make a written report to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles on the Commissioner's forms and mail it within 72 hours after the crash. 23 V.S.A. § 1129
| Crash report to the DMV | The driver in a crash in which anyone is injured, or total property damage is $3,000 or more, must make a written report to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles on the Commissioner's forms and mail it within 72 hours after the crash. The Commissioner can ask for more information. Separately, the owner and driver of an insured vehicle must tell any injured person or owner of damaged property, within five days, the names and addresses of all liability insurers that may cover the incident and the policy numbers. Source: 23 V.S.A. § 1129 |
|---|---|
| Leaving the scene (hit and run) | A driver who caused or was involved in a crash injuring someone other than themselves, or damaging property other than their own vehicle, must stop immediately, give any reasonably necessary help, and give their name, address, license number and the vehicle owner's name to anyone injured or whose property was damaged, and to any enforcement officer. Violations are punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and/or up to two years in prison; if serious bodily injury results, up to $3,000 and/or up to five years; if death results, up to $3,000 and/or 1 to 15 years. A $50 surcharge is added on conviction. Source: 23 V.S.A. § 1128 |
| Minimum car insurance | Owners and operators must have an auto liability policy or bond of at least $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more persons killed or injured, and $10,000 for property damage in any one crash (or $115,000 in approved self-insurance). Source: 23 V.S.A. § 800(a) |
| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | Modified comparative negligence (51% bar). An injured person's negligence does not bar recovery if it was not greater than the total negligence of the defendants; damages are reduced in proportion to the injured person's negligence. Each defendant pays its proportionate share. Comparative negligence may not be used as a defense to limit recovery for negligence claims relating to a sexual act or sexual conduct. Source: 12 V.S.A. § 1036 |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Three years after the cause of action accrues for injuries to the person caused by another's act or default. The claim is treated as accruing on the date the injury is discovered. Assault and battery, false imprisonment, and slander and libel also have a three-year deadline. Source: 12 V.S.A. § 512(1)–(4) |
| Deadline to sue for property damage | Three years for damage to personal property (such as a car) caused by another's act or default. Source: 12 V.S.A. § 512(5) |
More Vermont personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Vermont
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Vermont
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Vermont
- Dog Bite Liability in Vermont
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Vermont
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Vermont
- Bicycle Accident Claims in Vermont
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Vermont
- Truck Accident Claims in Vermont
- Construction Site Injuries in Vermont
- All Vermont personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
Do you have to report a car accident to the DMV in Vermont?
The driver in a crash in which anyone is injured, or total property damage is $3,000 or more, must make a written report to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles on the Commissioner's forms and mail it within 72 hours after the crash. The Commissioner can ask for more information. Separately, the owner and driver of an insured vehicle must tell any injured person or owner of damaged property, within five days, the names and addresses of all liability insurers that may cover the incident and the policy numbers.
What are your duties after a car accident in Vermont?
A driver who caused or was involved in a crash injuring someone other than themselves, or damaging property other than their own vehicle, must stop immediately, give any reasonably necessary help, and give their name, address, license number and the vehicle owner's name to anyone injured or whose property was damaged, and to any enforcement officer. Violations are punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and/or up to two years in prison; if serious bodily injury results, up to $3,000 and/or up to five years; if death results, up to $3,000 and/or 1 to 15 years. A $50 surcharge is added on conviction.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Vermont?
Owners and operators must have an auto liability policy or bond of at least $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more persons killed or injured, and $10,000 for property damage in any one crash (or $115,000 in approved self-insurance).
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in Vermont?
Modified comparative negligence (51% bar). An injured person's negligence does not bar recovery if it was not greater than the total negligence of the defendants; damages are reduced in proportion to the injured person's negligence. Each defendant pays its proportionate share. Comparative negligence may not be used as a defense to limit recovery for negligence claims relating to a sexual act or sexual conduct.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Vermont?
Three years after the cause of action accrues for injuries to the person caused by another's act or default. The claim is treated as accruing on the date the injury is discovered. Assault and battery, false imprisonment, and slander and libel also have a three-year deadline.
How long do you have to sue for property damage in Vermont?
Three years for damage to personal property (such as a car) caused by another's act or default.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.