Yes, it is a good idea to get a police report after a car accident in Virginia because it can provide essential information for an insurance claim or lawsuit. Drivers in Virginia are required by law to report to the police any car accidents resulting in injury or death. Furthermore, many insurance policies require policyholders to include police reports with their claims.
A capable car accident lawyer understands how essential police reports are in these cases and can help clients obtain them. If you are in a car accident in Virginia, it’s necessary to know what information is included in a police report, how you can get a copy, and how an attorney can help.
What Information Is Included in a Virginia Police Report?
Typically, police crash reports in Virginia contain the following information:
- The location of the crash, including the city or town where the accident occurred, the street address, nearby landmarks, and the closest highway mile marker
- The names of all the drivers involved in the crash
- Each driver’s home address, date of birth, and driver’s license number
- Each driver’s insurance information
- Details about the vehicles involved in the crash, including the vehicle owner, the license plate number, the make and model, and the VIN
- Details about any passengers injured or killed in the crash, including their position in the vehicle, date of birth, injury type, whether they were taken to the hospital, whether their airbag activated, and whether they were ejected in the crash
- The names of any pedestrians or cyclists injured in the crash
- Any traffic citations issued to any of the drivers in the crash
- The road conditions, weather conditions, and visibility at the time of the crash
- Whether the collision occurred in a work zone
- Where the crash occurred on the roadway, such as at an intersection or on the road’s shoulder
- The type of collision, such as head-on, rear-end, and so on
- A diagram of how the crash occurred
- A brief narrative description of the crash
- The speed of each vehicle at the time of the crash
Is a Police Officer Required to Write a Police Crash Report?
According to Virginia law, police must prepare and file a report for any car accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage of $1,500 or more. The written report must be submitted within 24 hours of the crash.
Furthermore, the Code of Virginia requires any driver involved in a car accident resulting in injury or death to notify the police of the crash immediately. Failing to do so is a Class 4 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250.
Virginia law allows any driver to voluntarily submit a written report after a crash involving injury, death, property damage, or an uninsured motorist. A driver may also submit a report if the other driver involved in the collision left the scene. You can find a copy of the voluntary accident report form here.
Finally, state law requires any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage to stop at the scene of the crash and give their name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number to law enforcement, anyone injured in the wreck, and other drivers involved in the crash. Drivers must also render reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the crash, including taking the injured person to a hospital if necessary.
How Do I Obtain a Police Report in Virginia?
According to the Virginia DMV, you must submit a written request or a completed information request form to obtain a police accident report. (The form you need to fill out is here.) Your written request must include the following information:
- Your role in the crash
- The date and time of the crash
- The collision location, including the street and city/town/county
- The driver’s name, if you were not driving when the crash happened
- Your driver’s license number, if you were involved in the crash
You can submit your written request or information request form by mail, fax, or in person. There is a fee of $8 per crash report requested. You can mail your form with a check or money order to the following address:
Customer Records Work Center, Room 514
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Post Office Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269
Alternatively, bring your completed request form and the $8 fee to a DMV customer service center to obtain the crash report in person. You can find your closest customer service center here and schedule an appointment here. You can pay the fee in person using cash, check, money order, or credit card.
You can fax your request form to the DMV at (804) 367-0390. If you fax your request form, you must complete and submit the license, ID card, and records payment authorization form to pay the $8 fee.
How Can a Police Report Help When Filing an Insurance Claim?
A police report can strengthen your insurance claim in a couple of ways. First, it is proof that the accident happened and provides a detailed description of how the police officer believes the crash occurred. A police report can be helpful should any dispute arise or if there is any question about the validity of your claim.
Furthermore, a police report can help speed up the process because the insurance company can investigate your claim more quickly using the information the report provides. Many insurance companies require you to submit a police report when you file a claim. If you’re unsure if your insurer requires you to include an accident report with your claim, review your auto insurance policy or speak to a trusted car accident attorney.
Contact Our Virginia Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you were involved in a crash, the Virginia car accident lawyers at Marks & Harrison want to help you pursue maximum compensation for all your losses. Contact us now for a free consultation about your legal options.
