Requirements of Driver Involved in Car Accident in Virginia
Any Virginia driver involved in a car accident must stop as close to the scene of the accident as possible and provide his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number to the other driver or property owner. Leaving the scene of the accident without providing this information will result in a Manassas Hit and Run charge.
Unoccupied Property
Manassas Hit and Run Charges Involving Property Damage Can be Misdemeanors or Felonies
Manassas Hit and Run charges involving property damage to unoccupied property are charged under Va. Code §46.2-896. A driver involved in an accident involving unattended property is required to find the owner and provide his vehicle information.
If the property owner cannot be located, the driver must leave a note at the scene of the accident with his contact and vehicle information. He also must report the accident to the police in writing within 24 hours, noting the location, time and date of the accident, and a description of the property damage. Failure to follow these steps will result in a Manassas Hit and Run charge (Va. Code §46.2-896).
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Occupied Property
Va. Code §46.2-894 criminalizes failure to report an accident involving occupied property. The driver must report his name, address, driver’s license number and vehicle identification number to the other driver, property owner or police. If the driver was injured and unable to provide this information, he must make a reasonable effort to locate the property owner as soon as possible and report this information to him and the police. Failing to provide this information can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount of property damage resulting from the accident.
Click here for more information on Manassas Hit and Run charges involving property damage to occupied property.
Passenger Liability for Hit and Run
Passengers involved in a car accident in Manassas have a duty to report the accident and driver’s information to police if the driver fails to do so. If a passenger knows the driver did not make the required report and does not report the accident within 24 hours, he can be charged with a crime himself.
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Penalties for Manassas Hit and Run Charges Involving Property Damage
Manassas Hit and Run Charges Can be Punished with Prison
Manassas Hit and Run charges involving property damage are punished with jail, fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and automatic DMV demerit points.
- Unoccupied Property (Damage Less than $250): A Manassas Hit and Run involving unoccupied property resulting in less than $250 in damage is a Class 4 misdemeanor, punished with a fine up to $250 and 3 DMV demerit points.
- Unoccupied Property (Damage More than $250): A Hit and Run charge in Manassas involving unoccupied property resulting in more than $250 in damage is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and 3 DMV demerit points.
- Unoccupied Property (Damage More than $500): This charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months, and 4 DMV points.
- Occupied Property (Less than $500 Damage): A Manassas Hit and Run charge involving occupied property and damage less than $500 is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and 4 demerit points.
- Occupied Property (More than $500 but Less Than $1,000 Damage): A Manassas Hit and Run charge resulting in more than $500 but less than $1,000 in property damage is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months, and 4 DMV demerit points.
- Occupied Property (More than $1,000 Damage): A Manassas Hit and Run charge involving occupied property with property damage exceeding $1,000 is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, driver’s license revocation for one year, and 6 DMV demerit points.