What to do after a car accident in Vermont
Every rule below is quoted from Vermont law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Vermont is an at-fault state. Drivers must carry liability insurance that pays for injuries and damage they cause, and there is no separate no-fault benefit requirement. A driver in a crash must stop right away, help anyone hurt, and give their name, address, license number and the vehicle owner's name to any injured person or officer at the scene. Vermont's law does not set a separate dollar or injury threshold for calling police to the scene. You have three years from the date you are injured, or from when you discover the injury, to sue over injuries from a car crash.
Deadlines in Vermont
- 3 years
- to sue for injuries12 V.S.A. § 512
- 3 years
- to sue for car or property damage12 V.S.A. § 512
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a death14 V.S.A. § 1492
- 20 days
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involved19 V.S.A. § 987
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
A driver involved in a crash that hurts someone or damages property must stop immediately, help anyone who is hurt, and give their name, address, driver's license number, and the vehicle owner's name to the injured person, the property owner, or a police officer.
“shall immediately stop and render any assistance reasonably necessary... shall give his or her name, residence, license number, and the name of the owner of the motor vehicle to any person who is injured or whose property is damaged and to any enforcement officer”
When you must call the police
A driver in a crash must stop right away, help anyone hurt, and give their name, address, license number and the vehicle owner's name to any injured person or officer at the scene. Vermont's law does not set a separate dollar or injury threshold for calling police to the scene.
“shall immediately stop and render any assistance reasonably necessary... shall give his or her name, residence, license number, and the name of the owner of the motor vehicle... to any person who is injured or whose property is damaged and to any enforcement officer”
Moving your car out of traffic
A driver must move a crashed vehicle to the nearest spot where it will not block traffic or endanger anyone. You do not have to move it if someone died or appears injured, if it was carrying hazardous material, if moving it would cause more damage, or if moving it would be unsafe.
“move and stop the vehicle at the nearest location where the vehicle will not impede traffic or jeopardize the safety of a person”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
A driver must send a written crash report to the Vermont DMV Commissioner if the crash injured someone or caused $3,000 or more in total property damage. The report must be mailed within 72 hours of the crash.
“involved in a crash in which someone is injured or there is total property damage of $3,000.00 or more... The written report shall be mailed to the Commissioner within 72 hours after the crash”
Getting a copy of the crash report
Vermont State Police crash reports are handled through the DMV. You mail a records request to the DMV's Driver Improvement Unit in Montpelier, and reports are usually available about 30 days after the crash.
“Crash reports are supplied by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)... A crash report includes the police report of the motor vehicle crash; which are available 30 days from the date of the collision.”
Who pays for the damage
Vermont is an at-fault state. Drivers must carry liability insurance that pays for injuries and damage they cause, and there is no separate no-fault benefit requirement.
“No owner of a motor vehicle required to be registered, or operator required to be licensed or issued a learner's permit, shall operate or permit the operation of the vehicle upon the highways of the State without having in effect an automobile liability policy or bond”
Insurance rules in Vermont
What insurance every driver must carry
The minimum liability limits are $25,000 for one injured person, $50,000 for two or more people injured or killed in one crash, and $10,000 for property damage.
“in the amounts of at least $25,000.00 for one person and $50,000.00 for two or more persons killed or injured and $10,000.00 for damages to property in any one crash”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Vermont does not require drivers to buy personal injury protection coverage. The only coverage the law requires is liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage.
“No owner of a motor vehicle required to be registered, or operator required to be licensed or issued a learner's permit, shall operate or permit the operation of the vehicle upon the highways of the State without having in effect an automobile liability policy or bond”
If the other driver has no insurance
Insurers must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on every auto liability policy, at least matching the state's minimum limits, unless the policyholder chooses different limits.
“coverages under subsections (a) and (b) of this section for new or renewed policies shall be not less than $50,000.00 for one person and $100,000.00 for two or more persons killed or injured”
Medical payments coverage
Vermont does not require insurers to include or offer medical payments coverage. Drivers can add it if they want it.
“Mandatory on all policies providing auto liability coverage, including Personal Umbrella Policies.”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
You can file an insurance complaint with Vermont's Department of Financial Regulation online, or by mailing or faxing the Insurance Complaint Form.
“Filing a complaint online allows you to more easily and quickly communicate with the Insurance Division and electronically upload documents to support your complaint.”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have three years from the date you are injured, or from when you discover the injury, to sue over injuries from a car crash.
“Actions for the following causes shall be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have three years to sue over damage to your vehicle or other property from a car crash.
“Actions for the following causes shall be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of discovering the death.
“commenced within two years from the discovery of the death of such person”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a town bridge or culvert caused the crash, you must give the town written notice within 20 days of the injury or damage. Vermont's Tort Claims Act, which covers the state itself, does not set a separate notice deadline, so the normal injury lawsuit deadline applies to state claims.
“notice is first given in writing, signed by the party injured or damnified or by the party's agent, to one or more of the selectboard members of the town in which the bridge or culvert is situated, within 20 days”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- 23 V.S.A. § 800
- 12 V.S.A. § 1036
- 12 V.S.A. § 512
- 14 V.S.A. § 1492
- 19 V.S.A. § 987
- 23 V.S.A. § 1128
- 23 V.S.A. § 1129
- 23 V.S.A. § 941
- State of Vermont Insurance Division, Private Passenger Auto Guidelines
- 23 V.S.A. § 1102(g)
- Vermont State Police, Record Requests
- Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, Insurance Complaints
- Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(c)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.