# What does Virginia law require you to do after a crash?

Page: After a Crash in Virginia: Legal Duties, Step by Step
URL: https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/steps/after-a-crash/
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13

> A driver in a Virginia collision must stop, render reasonable assistance, and report name, address, license number and registration number to police (Va. Code § 46.2-894). If anyone is injured or killed, a law-enforcement officer must be notified immediately (§ 46.2-371). The remaining steps protect your claim.

## What are the statutory duties of a driver, in order?

Four duties apply to a driver in a crash that injures or kills someone. Follow them in this order.

1. **Stop.** 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 aid.** Give 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 details.** Report name, address, driver's license number and vehicle registration number "forthwith" to the State Police or the local law-enforcement agency. If injuries prevent this, make the report as soon as reasonably possible ([Va. Code § 46.2-894](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-894/)).
4. **Notify police.** The driver, or someone acting for the driver, must immediately give notice of the accident to a law-enforcement officer when it results in injury to or death of any person ([Va. Code § 46.2-371](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-371/)).

| Duty | Statute | When |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stop near the scene | [§ 46.2-894](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-894/) | At the time of the crash |
| Render reasonable assistance | [§ 46.2-894](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-894/) | At the scene |
| Report name, address, license and registration numbers | [§ 46.2-894](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-894/) | "Forthwith," or as soon as reasonably possible if injuries prevent it |
| Notify a law-enforcement officer | [§ 46.2-371](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-371/) | Immediately, when anyone is injured or killed |
| Passenger report if the driver left | [§ 46.2-895](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-895/) | within twenty-four hours |

## When must police be notified, and when does an officer file a report?

Notice to police is required when a crash injures or kills anyone ([Va. Code § 46.2-371](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-371/)).

If the driver fails to stop and report, each person 16 or older in the vehicle who knows of the accident must ensure that a report is made within twenty-four hours to the State Police or, in a city or town, the local law-enforcement agency ([Va. Code § 46.2-895](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-895/)).

An officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or property damage of $3,000 or more must forward a written report to the DMV within twenty-four hours after completing the investigation ([Va. Code § 46.2-373](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-373/)).

A driver's own written report to the DMV is a different matter. Any person involved in a crash with injury, death or property damage "may make a written report" to the Commissioner, and it is tied to a reason to believe a vehicle was uninsured ([Va. Code § 46.2-372](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-372/)). Confirm with the DMV whether any dollar threshold applies to a driver's report.

## What if the other vehicle was unattended?

Section 46.2-896 covers a crash that damages only unattended property. It is not an injury-crash rule. The driver must report the accident in writing within 24 hours to the State Police or the local law-enforcement agency ([Va. Code § 46.2-896](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-896/)).

## Which steps protect the record of your claim?

The next steps are practical guidance. No statute in this guide requires them, but each preserves information a claim may need.

5. **Get a medical evaluation.** Have injuries examined and keep the records and bills.
6. **Photograph the scene.** Record the vehicles, the road, visible injuries and any signs or signals nearby.
7. **Record witnesses.** Write down names and phone numbers before people leave.
8. **Notify your own insurer.** Check your policy for its notice terms. For a crash with no contact with the other vehicle, report it promptly to your insurer or a law-enforcement officer ([Va. Code § 38.2-2206(D)](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title38.2/chapter22/section38.2-2206/)).
9. **Request the crash report.** Follow the steps on the [crash report page](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/steps/get-crash-report/).

## What should not be said or signed?

State facts only. Do not guess about fault, speed or the extent of your injuries, and do not sign a release or medical authorization from another party's insurer without review. Virginia applies a fault rule described as contributory negligence, a complete bar to recovery, so statements can matter. See [contributory negligence](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/virginia-law/contributory-negligence/) and the [adjuster call protocol](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/claims/insurance-adjuster/).

## What deadlines start on the day of the crash?

Time limits begin to run when the cause of action accrues. Personal injury must be filed within two years ([Va. Code § 8.01-243](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-243/)). A claim against a county, city or town needs written notice within six months ([Va. Code § 15.2-209](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter2/section15.2-209/)). Use the [claim deadline checker](https://roanokecrashlawyerguide.com/tools/claim-deadline/) for your dates.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is it a crime to leave the scene in Virginia?

Va. Code § 46.2-894 imposes the duty to stop, report and render aid after a crash involving injury, death or damage to attended property, and its caption refers to a penalty. Read the section or ask a lawyer for the classification of the offense.

### Must every crash be reported to police?

When a crash injures or kills anyone, Va. Code § 46.2-371 requires immediate notice to a law-enforcement officer. Section 46.2-894 separately requires a report of the driver's details to State Police or local law enforcement. Damage-only crashes follow separate rules for attended and unattended property, so confirm with the agency.

### Do I have to file my own report with the DMV?

Va. Code § 46.2-372 says a person involved in a crash with injury, death or property damage may make a written report to the Commissioner. Filing is optional and tied to a reason to believe a vehicle was uninsured. Confirm with the DMV whether any threshold applies to you.

### What information must drivers report?

Va. Code § 46.2-894 requires the driver to report name, address, driver's license number and vehicle registration number to the State Police or the local law-enforcement agency. Read the full section for any duty to give information at the scene, and keep your own notes.

## 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 § 46.2-896](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-896/)
- [Va. Code § 46.2-373](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-373/)
- [Va. Code § 46.2-372](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter3/section46.2-372/)
- [Va. Code § 38.2-2206](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title38.2/chapter22/section38.2-2206/)
- [Va. Code § 8.01-243](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-243/)
- [Va. Code § 8.01-230](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-230/)