Virginia Car Accident Laws

After a car, truck, or motorcycle accident in Virginia, drivers and even passengers may have specific legal obligations under state law.

These duties are designed to ensure that all parties involved are properly identified, injured individuals receive necessary assistance, and law enforcement is notified in a timely manner.

The table below summarizes these code sections, the nature of the offenses, and the corresponding penalties:

Code Section	Description	Class	Penalties
§ 46.2-894	Duty to stop, report, and render aid in accidents involving injury, death, or damage to attended property	Class 5 Felony (If injury/death involved OR If MORE than $1,000 resulted in the damage of the property) Class 1 Misdemeanor (If $1,000 or BELOW resulted in the damage of the property)	Felony:  1-10 Years in Prison  Misdemeanor:  Up to 12 Months in Jail  $2,500 Fine
§ 46.2-895	Duty of passengers (16+) to report if driver fails to stop/report accident	Class 1 Misdemeanor	Up to 12 Months in Jail  $2,500 Fine
§ 46.2-896	Duty to report accidents causing damage to unattended property only (no injury/death)	Class 1 Misdemeanor	Up to 12 Months in Jail  $2,500 Fine
§ 46.2-901	Failure to report accident that resulted in damage to property exceeding $500		Suspension of Driver’s License for up to 6 Months

Virginia Code § 46.2-894 through 46.2-896 outline these responsibilities. They require drivers to stop at the scene, provide identifying information, render aid if necessary, and report the incident to the appropriate authorities.

Passengers aged 16 and older may also be held legally responsible if the driver fails to report the accident. The severity of the charges depends on factors such as whether the accident involved injuries, fatalities, or only property damage.

Any person convicted of violating the provisions of
§§ 46.2-895 through 46.2-897

Code Section:	Description	Class	Penalties
§ 46.2-900	Accident resulted in injury or death of any person	Class 6 Felony	1-5 Years in Prison  Maximum Fine of $2,500
§ 46.2-900	Accident resulted ONLY in damage to property	Class 1 Misdemeanor	Up to 12 months in Jail  Fine up to $2,500
§ 46.2-900	Accident resulted in damage to unattended property LESS than $250	Class 4 Misdemeanor	Fine up to $250  Three demerit point by DMV Commissioner

Virginia law establishes strict and graduated penalties for failing to fulfill accident reporting and assistance duties under §§ 46.2-895 through 46.2-897, as outlined in Virginia Code § 46.2-900. These escalating penalties underscore Virginia’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions on the road and protecting the rights and safety of all involved.

Contact Us

We, American Lawyers Group, urge you to use transportation in the safest way possible. Whether it is by car, truck, or motorcycle, but if you or a loved one who has been charged or convicted of any of these violations, we have experienced Traffic Lawyers in Northern Virginia who will help you. Hire us now and we will get you justice! Call us today at (703) 786-8340 to schedule a consultation.

Disclaimer: This article is not actual legal advice and is only meant for blog/content purposes.