What Happens If Both Drivers Leave The Scene of an Accident in Tennessee?

Moments after a collision, emotions often run high. Fear, confusion, and adrenaline can cause people to make choices they later regret. One of the most damaging mistakes is driving away before properly handling the situation. So, what happens if both drivers leave the scene of an accident? Under Tennessee law, both drivers can be charged with hit-and-run—regardless of who caused the crash. Both parties can face criminal charges, insurance complications, and even lawsuits in civil court.

At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, we’ve been protecting the rights of car accident injury victims in Nashville and across Tennessee for over four decades. We are here to guide you through every step of the legal process to ensure you get the compensation you deserve after a hit-and-run accident.

Why Do Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident?

There are many reasons drivers choose to leave the scene of a crash. Some panic, fearing criminal penalties or possible arrest. Others worry about driving without insurance, having a suspended license, or facing an outstanding warrant. Alcohol or drug use may also influence the decision to flee. In some cases, drivers mistakenly believe leaving is acceptable if no one appears seriously injured. Tennessee law makes clear that none of these reasons is valid. Every driver must stop, check for injuries, provide aid when needed, and exchange information—or risk facing criminal charges and additional consequences.

What Happens If Both Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident? Legal Consequences In Tennessee

In Tennessee, leaving the scene of a crash is treated as a criminal matter, whether one driver or both drivers are at fault. The Tennessee Code Annotated (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-102) and Tennessee § 55-10-103 state that every driver involved in a collision must stop, remain at the scene, and share their information. According to Tennessee law, ignoring this duty can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the circumstances.

Here’s how the law breaks down:

• Property Damage Only: Leaving the scene without stopping and exchanging information is a Class B misdemeanor.
• Injury or Death: If the crash causes injury or loss of life, leaving is a Class E felony.
• Felony Penalties: A conviction may result in up to six years in prison, fines, and a permanent criminal record.

Even if both drivers flee, prosecutors can still charge each of them. It doesn’t matter who caused the collision—leaving the scene compounds the seriousness of the situation.

Insurance Challenges When Both Drivers Leave the Scene

Leaving the scene doesn’t just result in criminal charges. It also creates problems with insurance. Auto insurance policies typically require that drivers report accidents and cooperate with investigations. Leaving  the scene of an accident can:

• Jeopardize your coverage for the incident: If you leave the scene, your insurer may deny your claim entirely, leaving you responsible for repairs and medical bills.
• Lead to higher premiums in the future: Insurance companies view hit-and-run behavior as high risk, often resulting in significantly increased rates.
• Result in policy cancellation: Some carriers may drop your coverage altogether once they learn you fled the scene, leaving you uninsured.
• It will be harder to obtain new coverage later: A record of leaving an accident puts you at risk with other insurers, which could mean limited options and costly premiums.

Beyond insurance, drivers who flee may still face civil lawsuits. Victims can pursue compensation directly through the courts for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, compounding the financial fallout of leaving the scene.

The Right Steps to Take After an Accident

Remaining calm and following the law is always the best action after a crash in Nashville or anywhere in Tennessee. Here’s what drivers are required to do:

1. Stop immediately at or near the accident scene.
2. Move to safety if the vehicles are blocking traffic but remain on site.
3. Check for injuries and provide reasonable aid if someone is hurt.
4. Exchange information, including names, contact details, driver’s licenses, and insurance information.
5. Report the accident to law enforcement if there are injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage.

Following these steps protects your rights and prevents the severe consequences of leaving the scene.

Speak With a Nashville Car Accident Lawyer About Your Legal Options

What happens if both drivers leave the scene of an accident? This is a serious legal issue that can affect your future. At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, we help Nashville car accident victims understand their rights and pursue compensation. If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run car accident, call 800-800-4600 today for a free consultation and let our team guide you through the next steps with confidence.

Contact a car accident attorney near you in Tennessee:

• Nashville car accident lawyer
• Clarksville car accident lawyer
• Murfreesboro car accident lawyer
• Gallatin car accident lawyer 
• Columbia car accident lawyer 

Contact a car accident attorney near you in Kentucky:

• Louisville Car Accident Lawyer
• Lexington Car Accident Lawyer
• Bowling Green Car Accident Lawyer
• Elizabethtown car accident lawyer