Virginia · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Virginia: police, state report and crash report copies

When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.

Short answer

After any crash where someone is hurt or killed, or an attended car or other attended property is damaged, you must stop and right away give your name, address, driver's license number and registration number to the State Police or local police, or to the injured person, the other driver or an occupant, or the property owner. No required driver report to the DMV. A police officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or apparent property damage of $3,000 or more sends a written report to the DMV within 24 hours after finishing the investigation.

Law
Va. Code §§ 46.2-894, 46.2-373, 46.2-372

When to call the police in Virginia

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police
After any crash where someone is hurt or killed, or an attended car or other attended property is damaged, you must stop and right away give your name, address, driver's license number and registration number to the State Police or local police, or to the injured person, the other driver or an occupant, or the property owner. If you were hurt and could not, report to police as soon as reasonably possible. Leaving without doing this is a crime: a felony if anyone is hurt or killed or property damage is over $1,000, otherwise a misdemeanor.
Law
Va. Code §§ 46.2-894, 46.2-373, 46.2-372
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Virginia

Your own report
No required driver report to the DMV. A police officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or apparent property damage of $3,000 or more sends a written report to the DMV within 24 hours after finishing the investigation. You may file your own written report with the DMV on its form (for example, if you think the other car was uninsured).

How to get a copy of the crash report in Virginia

  • If you were involved (driver, injured person, owner, or their attorney, insurer or family representative), request the police crash report from the Virginia DMV with a written request or the DMV Information Request Form, checking 'Police Crash Report'.
  • Send it by mail (Customer Records Work Center, Room 514, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269), by fax (804-367-0390) or in person at a customer service center.
  • The fee is $8 per report, refunded if no report is found.
  • DMV keeps reports at least 36 months.
  • Official page: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/records/request-police-crash-report

Our data shows no confirmed online way to order crash reports in Virginia, so you can ask the agency by mail with our free request letter.

Step by step after a crash in Virginia

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when Virginia law requires it. After any crash where someone is hurt or killed, or an attended car or other attended property is damaged, you must stop and right away give your name, address, driver's license number and registration number to the State Police or local police, or to the injured person, the other driver or an occupant, or the property owner.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. No required driver report to the DMV. A police officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or apparent property damage of $3,000 or more sends a written report to the DMV within 24 hours after finishing the investigation.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. If you were involved (driver, injured person, owner, or their attorney, insurer or family representative), request the police crash report from the Virginia DMV with a written request or the DMV Information Request Form, checking 'Police Crash Report'.
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Virginia

Questions about reporting a crash in Virginia

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Virginia?

After any crash where someone is hurt or killed, or an attended car or other attended property is damaged, you must stop and right away give your name, address, driver's license number and registration number to the State Police or local police, or to the injured person, the other driver or an occupant, or the property owner. If you were hurt and could not, report to police as soon as reasonably possible. Leaving without doing this is a crime: a felony if anyone is hurt or killed or property damage is over $1,000, otherwise a misdemeanor.

Do I have to file my own accident report in Virginia?

No required driver report to the DMV. A police officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or apparent property damage of $3,000 or more sends a written report to the DMV within 24 hours after finishing the investigation. You may file your own written report with the DMV on its form (for example, if you think the other car was uninsured).

How do I get a copy of a crash report in Virginia?

If you were involved (driver, injured person, owner, or their attorney, insurer or family representative), request the police crash report from the Virginia DMV with a written request or the DMV Information Request Form, checking 'Police Crash Report'. Send it by mail (Customer Records Work Center, Room 514, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269), by fax (804-367-0390) or in person at a customer service center. The fee is $8 per report, refunded if no report is found. DMV keeps reports at least 36 months. Official page: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/records/request-police-crash-report

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.