Call police — no driver form
- When
- Crashes are reported by law enforcement; Virginia DMV also accepts reports from a driver, owner or representative.
- Report to
- Police; Virginia DMV
- Form
- FR200 accident report (with CRD-93 request form)
Official source: Virginia DMV — Reporting a Crash to DMV
Virginia DMV charges $8 for a copy of a crash report.
What to do after a car accident in Virginia
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Virginia's rule above — as soon as you can.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- Keep the police report number — your insurer will ask for it.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Virginia compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | Call police — no driver form | — |
| Kentucky | You file only if police didn't | Within 10 days |
| Maryland | You file only if police didn't | Within 15 days |
| North Carolina | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Tennessee | You must file your own report | Within 20 days |
| West Virginia | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Washington, D.C. | Call police — no driver form | — |
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Virginia's total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Virginia?
You must notify police — there's no separate driver form. In Virginia that applies to: crashes are reported by law enforcement; Virginia DMV also accepts reports from a driver, owner or representative.
What form do I use to report a crash in Virginia?
FR200 accident report (with CRD-93 request form), filed with Police; Virginia DMV. Download it from the official source: Virginia DMV — Reporting a Crash to DMV.
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.