Car Accident Claims in Virginia
Minimum car insurance in Virginia, whether the state is no-fault, how fault is shared, and the deadline to sue after a crash.
Short answer: The driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone (or someone acting for the driver) must immediately notify a law-enforcement officer; willfully failing to do so is a Class 4 misdemeanor. Va. Code §§ 46.2-371, 46.2-894, 46.2-896
| Reporting a crash to police | The driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone (or someone acting for the driver) must immediately notify a law-enforcement officer; willfully failing to do so is a Class 4 misdemeanor. In addition, a driver in a crash causing injury, death or damage to attended property must report their name, address, driver's license number and registration number to the State Police or local law enforcement. If an unattended vehicle or property is damaged and the owner cannot be found, the driver must leave a note and report the crash in writing to the State Police or local law enforcement within 24 hours. |
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| Crash report to the DMV | Anyone involved in a crash causing injury, death or property damage — or where a vehicle involved may have been uninsured — may file a written report with the DMV Commissioner on the department's form. When such a report is filed, the Commissioner requires the vehicle owner to provide insurance or bond certification, which the DMV verifies with the insurer. Source: Va. Code § 46.2-372 |
| Leaving the scene (hit and run) | A driver in a crash in which someone is killed or injured, or attended property is damaged, must immediately stop as close to the scene as possible without blocking traffic, give their name, address, driver's license number and registration number to police and to the injured person or the other driver/occupant or property custodian, and give reasonable help to anyone injured (including taking them for medical care if needed). A driver too injured to comply must do so as soon as reasonably possible. Violating this is a Class 5 felony if anyone is injured or killed or property damage is more than $1,000, or a Class 1 misdemeanor if property damage is $1,000 or less. For unattended property, the driver must try to find the owner, or leave a note with identification and contact information and report in writing to police within 24 hours. Source: Va. Code §§ 46.2-894, 46.2-896 |
| Minimum car insurance | For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, an owner's policy must provide at least $50,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $100,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Source: Va. Code § 46.2-472(B) |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Two years after the cause of action accrues for every action for personal injuries, whatever the legal theory. Source: Va. Code § 8.01-243(A) |
| Deadline to sue for property damage | Five years after the cause of action accrues for every action for injury to property. Source: Va. Code § 8.01-243(B) |
More Virginia personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Virginia
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Virginia
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Virginia
- Dog Bite Liability in Virginia
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Virginia
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Virginia
- Bicycle Accident Claims in Virginia
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Virginia
- Truck Accident Claims in Virginia
- Construction Site Injuries in Virginia
- All Virginia personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
When do you have to report a car accident to the police in Virginia?
The driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone (or someone acting for the driver) must immediately notify a law-enforcement officer; willfully failing to do so is a Class 4 misdemeanor. In addition, a driver in a crash causing injury, death or damage to attended property must report their name, address, driver's license number and registration number to the State Police or local law enforcement. If an unattended vehicle or property is damaged and the owner cannot be found, the driver must leave a note and report the crash in writing to the State Police or local law enforcement within 24 hours.
Do you have to report a car accident to the DMV in Virginia?
Anyone involved in a crash causing injury, death or property damage — or where a vehicle involved may have been uninsured — may file a written report with the DMV Commissioner on the department's form. When such a report is filed, the Commissioner requires the vehicle owner to provide insurance or bond certification, which the DMV verifies with the insurer.
What are your duties after a car accident in Virginia?
A driver in a crash in which someone is killed or injured, or attended property is damaged, must immediately stop as close to the scene as possible without blocking traffic, give their name, address, driver's license number and registration number to police and to the injured person or the other driver/occupant or property custodian, and give reasonable help to anyone injured (including taking them for medical care if needed). A driver too injured to comply must do so as soon as reasonably possible. Violating this is a Class 5 felony if anyone is injured or killed or property damage is more than $1,000, or a Class 1 misdemeanor if property damage is $1,000 or less. For unattended property, the driver must try to find the owner, or leave a note with identification and contact information and report in writing to police within 24 hours.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Virginia?
For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, an owner's policy must provide at least $50,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $100,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Virginia?
Two years after the cause of action accrues for every action for personal injuries, whatever the legal theory.
How long do you have to sue for property damage in Virginia?
Five years after the cause of action accrues for every action for injury to property.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.