# Hit in the Roanoke Valley? Find the rule that applies to you.

Page: Roanoke Crash Lawyer Guide: Virginia Crash Law Explained
URL: https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13

> Virginia law sets duties and deadlines after a collision: stop, report your details, render aid, notify police if anyone is hurt, and file an injury suit within two years. Choose your situation below for the governing rule and the steps that follow.

## What were you hit by?

Choose the situation closest to yours. Each link opens the rule that governs it and the steps that follow.

- [A car](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/steps/after-a-crash/): Steps after a crash
- [A tractor-trailer on I-81](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/crash-types/i-81-truck/): Liability and federal rules
- [A driver with no insurance](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/virginia-law/uninsured-motorist/): Or one who fled the scene
- [A car, while cycling](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/crash-types/bicycle/): Bicycle rules
- [A car, while riding a motorcycle](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/crash-types/motorcycle/): Motorcycle rules
- [A government vehicle](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/tools/claim-deadline/): Notice deadlines come first
- [A family member was killed](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/virginia-law/wrongful-death/): Wrongful death in Virginia

## What does Virginia law require in the first days?

The Code of Virginia sets out duties for drivers in a collision. They apply in this order:

1. Stop as close to the scene as possible without obstructing traffic ([Va. Code § 46.2-894](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-894/)).
2. Render reasonable assistance to any person injured ([Va. Code § 46.2-894](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-894/)).
3. Report your name, address, driver's license number and vehicle registration number to the State Police or the local law-enforcement agency. If injuries prevent this, report as soon as reasonably possible ([Va. Code § 46.2-894](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-894/)).
4. If anyone is injured or killed, the driver, or someone acting for the driver, must immediately give notice of the accident to a law-enforcement officer ([Va. Code § 46.2-371](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-371/)).

A passenger 16 or older who knows the driver did not stop and report must see that a report is made within twenty-four hours ([Va. Code § 46.2-895](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-895/)).

An investigating officer must forward a written report to the DMV within twenty-four hours after finishing the investigation of a crash with injury, death or property damage of $3,000 or more ([Va. Code § 46.2-373](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-373/)). The full sequence, including what protects your claim, is on [the steps page](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/steps/after-a-crash/).

## Which rules decide a claim?

Four pages explain the rules that most often decide a Roanoke Valley crash claim.

- **Fault.** [Contributory negligence](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/virginia-law/contributory-negligence/) is applied by Virginia courts as a complete bar. It can bar a plaintiff whose own negligence contributed to the injury.
- **No insurance, or an unknown driver.** [Va. Code § 38.2-2206](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title38.2/chapter22/section38.2-2206/) requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and treats a vehicle as uninsured when its owner or operator is unknown. See [uninsured motorist claims](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/virginia-law/uninsured-motorist/).
- **A death.** [Va. Code § 8.01-50](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter3/section8.01-50/) provides an action for damages when a wrongful act causes death, brought by the personal representative. See [wrongful death](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/virginia-law/wrongful-death/).
- **Time limits.** Filing periods and notice rules are collected in the [claim deadline checker](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/tools/claim-deadline/).

## What are the deadlines?

Each period has its own statute and starting point. The table summarizes them. Exceptions exist, so confirm your dates with a lawyer.

| Claim | Period | Statute |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Personal injury | two years after the cause of action accrues | [§ 8.01-243(A)](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-243/) |
| Injury to property | five years after the cause of action accrues | [§ 8.01-243(B)](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-243/) |
| Wrongful death | two years after the death | [§ 8.01-244(B)](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-244/) |
| Written notice to a county, city or town | six months after the cause of action accrued | [§ 15.2-209](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter2/section15.2-209/) |
| Written notice to the Commonwealth | one year after the cause of action accrued | [§ 8.01-195.6](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter3.2/section8.01-195.6/) |

Enter your crash date in the [claim deadline checker](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/tools/claim-deadline/) to see each date and the statute behind it.

## Where do local matters go?

Local agencies differ in how they release reports and what they charge.

1. Identify the agency that investigated. The [crash report page](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/steps/get-crash-report/) covers Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem, Vinton and State Police reports and the DMV request.
2. For a crash in the county, see [Roanoke County](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/areas/roanoke-county/).
3. For a crash in Salem, see [Salem](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/areas/salem/).
4. For insurance and bills, see [the adjuster call](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/claims/insurance-adjuster/), [medical bills](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/claims/medical-bills/) and the [claim timeline](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/claims/timeline/).

## Which lawyers handle these cases locally?

The lawyers page explains how to choose counsel and lists Roanoke-area firms. Our picks are below.

### Our picks for you

Firms that handle these cases, chosen by our editors. Listing is not a ranking or an endorsement of results.

1. **Fishwick & Associates PLC**: 30 Franklin Rd SW Ste 700, Roanoke, VA 24011; (540) 345-5890.
   Practice areas: Bicycle accident; Brain injury; Car accident; Motorcycle accident; Personal injury; Truck accident; Wrongful death.
   Fees: No attorney fee unless the firm recovers compensation on your behalf.
   The initial consultation is free.
2. **Altizer Law, P.C.**: 324 Washington Avenue Southwest, Ste A, Roanoke, VA 24016; (540) 345-2000.
   Practice areas: Car accidents; Truck, motorcycle and bicycle injuries; Wrongful death; Medical malpractice.
3. **Loeschen Law Firm PLLC**: 30 East Clay St. #210, Salem, VA 24153; (877) 645-0683.
   Practice areas: Car accidents; Truck and motorcycle accidents; Slip and fall; Wrongful death.

## Frequently asked questions

### What must a driver do after a collision in Virginia?

A driver must stop as close to the scene as possible without obstructing traffic, render reasonable assistance to anyone injured, and report name, address, license number and registration number to State Police or local law enforcement. If anyone is hurt or killed, notice to a law-enforcement officer must be given immediately.

### What is the deadline to sue after a crash?

Va. Code § 8.01-243 sets two years after the cause of action accrues for personal injury and five years for injury to property. A wrongful death action has its own period under § 8.01-244. Claims against a locality or the Commonwealth also need written notice. Use the checker for your dates.

### Does fault on my part bar a claim?

Virginia courts apply contributory negligence as a complete bar to recovery. Under it, a plaintiff whose own negligence contributed to the injury can be barred from recovering damages. Because the rule can decide a claim, read the dedicated page and seek advice from a lawyer before you give any statement to an insurer.

### Which police agency has my report?

The agency that investigated holds the report: Roanoke Police, Roanoke County Police, Salem Police, Vinton Police or Virginia State Police. State Police crash reports are requested through the Virginia DMV. Va. Code § 46.2-380 lists who may obtain a report, including persons involved, their attorneys and insurers.

## Sources

- [Va. Code § 46.2-894](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-894/)
- [Va. Code § 46.2-371](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-371/)
- [Va. Code § 46.2-895](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-895/)
- [Va. Code § 46.2-373](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-373/)
- [Va. Code § 46.2-380](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-380/)
- [Va. Code § 8.01-243](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-243/)
- [Va. Code § 8.01-244](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-244/)
- [Va. Code § 15.2-209](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter2/section15.2-209/)
- [Va. Code § 8.01-195.6](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter3.2/section8.01-195.6/)
- [Va. Code § 38.2-2206](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title38.2/chapter22/section38.2-2206/)
- [Va. Code § 8.01-50](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter3/section8.01-50/)