What to Do After a Car Accident on I-264 in Virginia Beach

Interstate 264 is a major east-west route through Virginia Beach, linking Norfolk to the Oceanfront and carrying local and regional traffic throughout the area. A car accident on I-264 in Virginia Beach can involve unique circumstances because of highway speeds, merging traffic, and multiple travel lanes. This guide explains what to do at the scene, how interstate crashes may be investigated, and how Virginia law can affect an injury claim afterward.

Why I-264 Crashes Can Be Complicated

Interstate crashes can involve multiple lanes of traffic, entrance and exit ramps, merging vehicles, and vehicles traveling at highway speeds. I-264 also includes numerous interchanges throughout Virginia Beach, including Newtown Road, Witchduck Road, Independence Boulevard, Rosemont Road, and Lynnhaven Parkway.

When a crash involves several vehicles, determining how it occurred may require examining the sequence of impacts and the actions of multiple drivers. Depending on the circumstances, investigators may review vehicle positions, witness statements, photographs, available video footage, and electronic vehicle data.

Multi-vehicle crashes, rear-end collisions, lane-change accidents, commercial truck crashes, and secondary collisions can all occur on interstate highways. The circumstances and evidence involved will determine which legal issues become relevant after a particular crash.

What to Do at the Scene of an I-264 Crash

The moments after a highway collision are disorienting, and safety comes first. These steps reflect Virginia’s legal requirements and common-sense precautions:

• Check for injuries and call 911. Tell the dispatcher you are on I-264, which direction you were traveling, and the nearest exit or cross street.
• Turn on your hazard lights and move if it’s safe. Under Va. Code § 46.2-888, when no one is hurt or killed and the vehicle can be driven, the driver should move it out of the travel lanes if they can do so safely.
• Stay at the scene and exchange information. Va. Code § 46.2-894 requires drivers in crashes involving injury, death, or damage to an attended vehicle to stop and report their name, address, license and registration, and to give reasonable help to anyone injured.
• Stay out of moving traffic. If you can’t reach the shoulder safely, it’s often better to remain belted in your vehicle until help arrives than to walk between lanes.
• Document what you can. Photos of vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and the nearest exit sign may be useful later. Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers.
• Seek medical attention when needed. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent after a collision. Medical evaluation can help identify injuries and create documentation of the treatment received after the crash.

How Interstate Crashes Are Usually Investigated

Crashes on interstate highways in Virginia are commonly handled by Virginia State Police troopers, while collisions on city streets are typically worked by the Virginia Beach Police Department. Whichever agency responds, ask the officer for the report number and the agency name before you leave. That number can make it easier to obtain a copy of the report later.

The report may include a diagram, information gathered during the investigation, citations, and witness information. It can be useful when understanding what was documented after a collision, but it does not determine civil liability. Under Virginia Code § 46.2-379, an investigating officer’s crash report generally cannot be used as evidence in a civil or criminal trial arising from the accident. Our guide on how to read a Virginia car accident police report explains the information these reports may contain. In multi-vehicle highway crashes, other evidence such as photographs, witness accounts, available video footage, and electronic vehicle data may also become important.

Injuries After Highway Crashes

Injuries following an interstate collision can vary considerably depending on the circumstances of the crash. People involved may experience head, neck, back, spinal, orthopedic, or other injuries requiring medical treatment. Some injuries may require ongoing care or affect a person’s ability to work and carry out normal activities.

Medical records documenting the injuries, treatment received, and recovery can become important when evaluating damages in a personal injury claim.

Virginia Law and Car Accidents on I-264

Several parts of Virginia law affect what happens after a highway crash.

Contributory Negligence

Virginia’s contributory negligence rule can significantly affect car accident claims. If an injured person’s own negligence contributed to causing a collision, it may affect the person’s ability to recover compensation under Virginia law. In a multi-vehicle interstate crash, the actions of each driver and the specific circumstances surrounding the collision may therefore become important when determining responsibility.

Traffic Laws That Come Up Often

Va. Code § 46.2-816 prohibits following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent given speed, traffic, and road conditions, a rule that may become relevant in rear-end collisions on busy interstates. Citations for speeding, improper lane changes, reckless driving, or DUI may also become relevant when evaluating how a crash occurred, although a citation alone does not determine civil liability.

Insurance Minimums

For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, Va. Code § 46.2-472 requires liability coverage of at least $50,000 for injury or death of one person, $100,000 for injury or death of two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage. In a serious multi-vehicle crash, available liability coverage may become an important consideration, along with any applicable uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Filing Deadlines

Under Va. Code § 8.01-243(A), most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the injury. When a crash is fatal, Virginia’s wrongful death laws set out who may bring a claim and the time limits that apply. An attorney who handles car accident cases can help you understand how these rules fit your situation and what evidence should be preserved early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to move my car after a crash on I-264?
If no one was hurt or killed, the vehicle can be driven, and you can move it safely, Virginia law generally requires you to get it out of the travel lanes. If anyone is injured or the vehicle cannot be moved safely, call 911 and follow instructions from police and emergency personnel.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Virginia?
Most personal injury lawsuits in Virginia must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. Insurance claims should generally be reported much sooner in accordance with applicable policy requirements. Different rules or deadlines may apply in certain circumstances, including wrongful death cases, claims involving government entities, and claims involving minors.

What happens if I was partly at fault for a crash on the interstate?
Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule. If an injured person’s own negligence contributed to causing the collision, it may affect their ability to recover compensation. In multi-vehicle crashes, photographs, witness statements, video footage, physical evidence, and other available information may help determine the actions of each driver.

Who investigates crashes on I-264 in Virginia Beach?
Crashes on interstate highways in Virginia are commonly investigated by Virginia State Police, while crashes on city streets are typically handled by the Virginia Beach Police Department. Before leaving the scene, ask the responding officer for the agency name and report number so you can request a copy of the crash report later.

A crash on a busy interstate can result in medical treatment, missed work, and insurance claims. If you or someone you love was hurt in a collision on I-264 or anywhere in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, or Suffolk, our Virginia Beach personal injury lawyers are here to answer your questions. William Breit brings decades of Hampton Roads trial experience to every case at Breit Law, and you can contact our office to schedule a free consultation.

Map showing I-264 near Independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach, Virginia, along the interstate corridor discussed in this article.