In Virginia, the driver in a crash in which someone is killed or injured, or an attended vehicle or property is damaged, stops immediately as close to the scene as possible without blocking traffic, and reports their name, address, license number and vehicle registration number to the police and to the other driver, the injured person or the property's custodian. The driver also renders reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including taking them for treatment if it is apparently needed or requested.
| Failing those duties when the crash causes | The offense |
|---|---|
| Failing those duties when the crash causesInjury or death, or more than $1000 of property damage | The offenseA Class 5 felony |
| Failing those duties when the crash causesProperty damage of $1000 or less | The offenseA Class 1 misdemeanor |
Where only an unattended vehicle or property is damaged, the driver makes a reasonable effort to find the owner. If the owner cannot be found, the driver leaves a note with their identification and contact information in a conspicuous place, and reports the crash in writing to the police within 24 hours.
An officer who investigates a crash with an injury, a death, or apparent property damage of $3,000 or more forwards a written report to the Department of Motor Vehicles within twenty-four hours after finishing the investigation.
Sources for this section (3)
- Va. Code 46.2-894 — Duty of driver to stop in event of accident involving injury, death or damage to attended property
- Va. Code 46.2-896 — Duties of driver in event of accident involving damage only to unattended property
- Va. Code 46.2-373 — Report by law-enforcement official investigating accident
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.
