Virginia Hit-and-Run Laws: What Drivers Should Know

Hit-and-run crashes can have serious consequences for victims and families throughout Virginia. In Hampton Roads, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists are struck and left at the scene by drivers who choose to flee rather than stop and take responsibility. Understanding what Virginia law requires of drivers after a crash — and what rights injured people have when a driver runs — is important for anyone who uses the roads in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and the surrounding region.

What Virginia Law Requires After a Crash

Virginia Code § 46.2-894 imposes clear obligations on any driver involved in a crash that results in injury, death, or property damage. The driver must stop immediately at the scene or as close to it as possible. They must render reasonable assistance to anyone who has been injured, including calling for emergency help if needed. They must provide their name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration information to anyone injured in the crash, to the driver or occupants of any other vehicle involved, and to any law enforcement officer who responds.

Failing to fulfill these legal obligations after a crash can result in criminal charges under Virginia law. The potential charge and penalties depend on the circumstances of the collision, including whether someone was injured or killed and the extent of any property damage.

When a Hit-and-Run Driver Cannot Be Identified

When a driver leaves the scene of a crash without being identified, an injured person may face additional challenges determining who was responsible and what insurance coverage may be available. For the person left behind, the result is often the same: a seriously injured victim with no immediate identification of who caused the harm, and significant uncertainty about whether compensation will ever be available.

Depending on the circumstances and available insurance coverage, an injured person may have options even when the hit-and-run driver is never identified. Uninsured motorist coverage may apply in some hit-and-run cases, but coverage requirements depend on the circumstances of the collision and the applicable insurance policy.

When the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Caught

When a hit-and-run driver is identified, the incident may involve both criminal proceedings and potential civil claims. A criminal case addresses alleged violations of Virginia law, while a wrongful death or personal injury claim may provide a separate avenue for an injured person or surviving family members to pursue compensation.

Criminal and civil proceedings serve different purposes, and the outcome of one does not necessarily determine the outcome of the other. The legal options available to an injured person or surviving family members depend on the specific circumstances of the crash.

Acting Quickly After a Hit-and-Run

Evidence can be especially time-sensitive in hit-and-run cases. Surveillance footage from businesses, traffic cameras, and residences near the scene may capture the fleeing vehicle — but that footage is often overwritten within days. Witness memories fade. Physical evidence at the scene may be lost before investigators return. After a hit-and-run crash, promptly reporting the collision to law enforcement and preserving available evidence can be important. Surveillance footage, witness information, photographs, and other records may help investigators identify the vehicle involved and determine what happened.

If you or a loved one was injured in a hit-and-run crash anywhere in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, or across Hampton Roads, Breit Law is here to help. With more than 47 years of trial experience, William Breit has represented injured individuals and families throughout Hampton Roads. Contact us today to discuss your situation.

Map of the Hampton Roads region in Virginia, where Breit Law represents individuals and families affected by serious crashes.