Virginia Hit and Run Charge
July 5, 2017 by Jean Humbrecht
A Virginia Hit and Run charge, or failing to report an accident, can result from a car accident involving unoccupied property, occupied property, injury or death. Penalties for a Virginia Hit and Run charge can be very serious.
For more information on a Virginia Hit and Run charge involving unoccupied property, click here. For more information on a Virginia Hit and Run charge involving occupied property, click here. For more information on a Virginia Hit and Run charge resulting in death or injury, click here.
Virginia Hit and Run Charge (Failure to Report Accident)
Virginia Hit and Run Charges Can Be Punished with up to 10 Years in Prison
A Virginia driver involved in any car accident is required by law to stop and give the other driver his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration information. If the accident involved unoccupied property, the driver must make a reasonable effort to locate the property owner and provide his information. If he cannot locate the owner, he must leave a note and report the accident to the police within 24 hours. He is also required to render “reasonable assistance” to anyone injured as a result of the accident.
Failure to report a car accident in Virginia is also known as a Hit and Run, and it is a crime. A conviction will remain on a driver’s permanent criminal record. Serious consequences can result from a Virginia Hit and Run charge which resulted in property damage. The penalties for a Hit and Run which injured or killed someone in Virginia are far worse.
Passengers in a vehicle involved in a Hit and Run can also be charged with a Virginia Hit and Run if they knew of the accident, knew the driver failed to report it, and did not report the accident within 24 hours.
Proof of Virginia Hit and Run Charge
A Virginia Hit and Run occurs when a driver’s vehicle made physical contact with another vehicle, person, or object, caused property damage or injured or killed someone, and the driver failed to stop or provide his information.
Penalties for a Virginia Hit and Run Charge
A Virginia Hit and Run charge can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the amount of property damage and if someone was injured or killed. A Virginia Hit and Run charge is punished with jail, fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and DMV demerit points.
Hit and Run Charges in Virginia
A Virginia Hit and Run Charge Involving Unoccupied Property is a Misdemeanor
Hit and Run Involving Unoccupied Property (Va. Code §46.2-896)
Failure to report an accident involving unoccupied property causing less than $250 in damage is a Class 4 misdemeanor, punished with a fine up to $250 and 3 DMV demerit points. If the property damage exceeded $250, the offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and 3 DMV demerit points. If the accident resulted in more than $500 in damage, the offender’s driver’s license can be suspended for up to 6 months and the DMV will automatically add 4 demerit points to the driver’s record.
Passenger Failure to Report Hit and Run Involving Unoccupied Property (Va. Code §46.2-897)
A passenger who fails to report a Hit and Run involving less than $250 damage to unoccupied property has committed a Class 4 misdemeanor. The offense becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor if the property damage exceeded $250. Failing to report a Hit and Run resulting in more than $500 in property damage is also a Class 1 misdemeanor but has an added punishment of up to 6 months of driver’s license suspension.
Hit and Run Involving Occupied Property (Va. Code §46.2-894)
A Hit and Run resulting in less than $1,000 in damage to occupied property is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2500, and 4 DMV demerit points. If the property damage exceeded $500, the driver’s license can be suspended for up to 6 months. A Hit and Run involving an occupied vehicle resulting in more than $1,000 in damage is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 10 years in prison, fines, driver’s license revocation for one year, and the DMV will add 6 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
Passenger Failure to Report Hit and Run Involving Occupied Property (Va. Code §46.2-895)
A passenger who fails to report a Hit and Run involving occupied property has committed a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500. If the property damage exceeded $500, his driver’s license can be suspended for up to 6 months.
Hit and Run Involving Injury or Death (Va. Code §46.2-894)
A Virginia Hit and Run resulting in injury or death is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 10 years in prison, fines, 6 demerit points and driver’s license revocation for one year.
Passenger Failure to Report Hit and Run Involving Injury or Death (Va. Code §46.2-895)
If a passenger fails to report a Hit and Run that resulted in injury or death, he has committed a Class 6 felony, punished with up to 5 years in prison and driver’s license revocation for one year.
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