Hit and Run (Property Damage)

Virginia hit and run charges can result from failing to report a car accident.  Virginia hit and run charges involving property damage can be misdemeanors or felonies and a conviction will remain on a driver’s permanent criminal record.

Requirements of Driver Involved in Car Accident in Virginia

Any Virginia driver involved in an accident, no matter how minor, must stop as close to the scene of the accident as possible (without obstructing traffic) and provide his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number to the other driver or property owner.  Failing to provide this information and leaving the scene of the accident will result in a Virginia hit and run charge.

Unoccupied Property

Virginia hit and run charges involving property damage to unoccupied property are charged under Va. Code §46.2-896.  A driver involved in an accident with an unattended vehicle or 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, as well as a description of the property damage.  Failure to follow these steps will result in a Virginia hit and run charge involving unoccupied property (Va. Code §46.2-896).

For more information on Virginia hit and run charges involving property damage to unoccupied property, click here.

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 stop and provide the other driver or property owner with his information can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount of property damage resulting from the accident.

For more information on Virginia hit and run charges involving property damage to occupied vehicles and property, click here.

Passenger Liability for Hit and Run

Passengers involved in a car accident in Virginia 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 as well.

For more information on passenger liability for Virginia hit and run charges involving property damage, click here.

Penalties for Virginia Hit and Run Charges involving Property Damage

Virginia hit and run charges involving property damage are punished with jail, fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and the DMV will add demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.

• Unoccupied Property (Damage Less than $250): A hit and run in Virginia involving unoccupied property resulting in less than $250 in damage is a Class 4 misdemeanor.  It is punished with a fine up to $250 and the DMV will add 3 demerit points to the driver’s record.
• Unoccupied Property (Damage More than $250): A Virginia hit and run charge involving unoccupied property resulting in more than $250 in damage is a Class 1 misdemeanor.  It is punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and the DMV will add 3 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
• 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 the DMV will add 4 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
• Occupied Property (Less than $500 Damage): A Virginia 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 the DMV will add 4 demerit points to the offender’s driving record.
• Occupied Property (More than $500 but Less Than $1,000 Damage): A Virginia 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 the DMV will add 4 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
• Occupied Property (More than $1,000 Damage): A Virginia hit and run charge involving occupied property with property damage exceeding $1,000 is a Class 5 felony.  It is punished with up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, driver’s license revocation for one year, and the DMV will add 6 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.