Top Rated Virginia Hit and Run Lawyer • 1500+ Reviews
Hit and run in Virginia, also referred to as leaving the scene of an accident, occurs when a person involved in a collision leaves the scene without performing certain functions. A hit & run violation is a criminal offense and can either be a felony or a misdemeanor depending on whether there was an injury or amount of property damage. Penalties may include incarceration, a fine & loss of driving privileges. If you have been involved in an accident that is being investigated by law enforcement as a hit or run or you have already been arrested, then you will need a top rated hit and run criminal defense attorney.
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Experienced VA Leaving The Scene of an Accident Attorney
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law has been successfully defending hit-and-run allegations for over 60 combined years throughout the Virginia Courts, including the Court of Appeals. Our firm is recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report. A violation of the hit-and-run law can result in serious consequences. Hit and run is one of several serious Virginia traffic offenses that may be charged as a criminal case depending on the facts. For broader guidance on traffic tickets, criminal traffic charges, and court process, see our Virginia Traffic Lawyer page. A common misconception is that you must be the at-fault driver to violate this law. NOTE: An arrest for hit and run is NOT a conviction. Do not waive your rights. Consult a law firm that specializes in this area and is dedicated to successfully defending clients accused of hit and run. Our firm has been positively reviewed more than any other law firm that defends hit and run cases.
Most Rated Hit and Run VA Lawyer Review
Representation for VA Hit and Run Accident Police Investigation
Police departments investigate traffic accidents that involve a party who leaves the scene of the accident. These law enforcement investigations almost always start with the police making contact with the owner of the suspect vehicle. These cases sometimes involve witnesses who were involved in the incident, independent witnesses and video evidence. Law enforcement will eventually want to speak with who they identify as a target of their investigation. Speaking with the police about a hit and run incident without first consulting a lawyer or having a lawyer present who regularly represents clients in this area can be a huge mistake. CAUTION: Law enforcement officers are trained professionals.
Hit & Run Accidents In The Commonwealth Involving an Occupied Vehicle
Va. Code 46.2-894 prohibits a driver involved in an accident to leave the scene if there is personal injury or damage to attended property. The law requires that you stop immediately as close to the scene as possible without obstructing traffic. The driver is also required to report name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration to police and to the injured party or to a person of the attended property. A violation of this law is a felony if the accident results in injury or death of any person or property damage exceeding $1000. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor if the accident results in property damage of $1000 or less.
Assistance Requirements for Hit & Run Personal Injury Cases
Va. Code 46.2-894 also has a reasonable assistance provision. The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident shall also render reasonable assistance to any person injured in such accident, including taking such injured person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital if it is apparent that medical treatment is necessary or is requested by the injured person. If the involved driver is unable to comply due to injuries sustained in the accident, then the driver shall as soon as reasonably possible make the required report to police and make a reasonable effort to locate the person struck or the person of the attended property, and report his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number.
Legal Elite Recognizes Top Hit and Run Attorney
Virginia Business is dedicated to covering the legal community across the Commonwealth. In cooperation with the Bar Association, they have been recognizing Top Attorneys in the Commonwealth including those who defend hit and run cases with its Legal Elite Award since 2000. There are over 23,000 legal practitioners in the Commonwealth. Legal Elite recognitions are awarded to approximately 1400 attorneys each year. This is an exclusive list of top rated lawyers who have been recognized for excellence. Only outstanding and experienced professionals are recognized for being Legal Elite. A lawyer cannot purchase their way in to being recognized as a member of the Business Legal Elite community. Allow a VA Legal Elite hit and run attorney to review your case.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Unattended Property
Any type of hit & run allegation requires a top rated Virginia Hit & Run Lawyer to successfully present your best defense. Va. Code § 46.2-896 requires the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident involving unattended property to make a reasonable effort to find the owner of the property and provide his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration. If the owner cannot be found then a note is to be left along with a written report to police within 24 hours including date, time and place of the accident along with a description of the property damage. If injured, the driver shall make the report as soon as reasonably possible. A conviction is punishable as a misdemeanor.
The Hit and Run Law Also Applies to Passengers of Involved Vehicles
The VA hit and run law does not only apply to involved drivers. Va. Code §§ 46.2-895 & 897 require certain persons accompanying the driver involved in an accident to make a report in cases involving attended property and unattended property. The law requires persons age sixteen or older who were in the vehicle at the time and had knowledge of the accident to ensure a report is made to the police within 24 hours. Such report shall include name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration. A violation is a felony if there is injury. Property damage only cases are either a class 1 misdemeanor or a class 4 misdemeanor depending on damage amount.
Defenses to VA Hit & Run Criminal Offenses
There may be defenses to your case. The prosecution will have to prove the identification of the driver that fled the scene beyond a reasonable doubt. A top rated VA hit and run attorney may be able to raise enough reasonable doubt that the prosecutor cannot meet their burden of proof that you were the driver. Lack of knowledge is also a defense. The prosecutor must prove that you knew of the accident and that you had actual knowledge that someone was injured or property was damaged. Finally, you may have tried to stop, but the other driver was the one who actually left the scene, but later reported the collision as a hit and run.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Hit & Run DISMISSED
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law represented a client who was alleged to be in violation of the felony hit and run leaving the scene of an accident law. During the trial, the prosecution did not present evidence of personal injury and the evidence of property damage did not prove damage over $1000. The Circuit Court Judge found our client guilty and ordered jail time but we believed the trial judge misapplied the law and made and error when he found our client guilty. We appealed the case to the Court of Appeals. We convinced the appeals court to reverse the trial court’s ruling. Our client was acquitted and the case was dismissed. See case file for full opinion.
Hit & Run Involving Pedestrian DISMISSED
Our hit and run attorneys represented a client accused of felony leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury to a pedestrian. The client was driving thru the Intersection near the college campus of VCU. The client had the green light and was driving the speed limit when contact was made with an unidentifiable object near a crosswalk. The client circled the block to return to the accident scene. The Commonwealth Attorney wanted a conviction because the pedestrian was severely injured. We pled not guilty because we believed our client did not violate the law. We argued the case and convinced the Judge to find our client NOT GUILTY and to dismiss the case.
Frequently Asked Hit and Run Questions
What is hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident in Virginia?
A hit and run charge in Virginia usually means the government claims a driver was involved in an accident and failed to stop, identify themselves, provide required information, or report the crash when the law required it. These cases often turn on what happened at the scene, what the driver knew, and whether the prosecution can prove the person knowingly left without meeting those legal duties.
Does every accident where someone leaves the scene become a hit and run conviction?
No. A charge does not automatically mean the prosecution can prove a criminal violation. In many cases, the real issues include whether the driver knew a collision occurred, whether there was actual property damage or injury, whether the person had a reasonable chance to stop safely, and whether identification of the driver is reliable.
Why do hit and run cases often depend on small facts?
These cases can turn on timing, vehicle damage, witness observations, surveillance video, what was said after the accident, and whether law enforcement can prove who was driving. Facts that seem minor at first can matter a great deal when the case depends on knowledge, identification, and what happened in the moments after the collision.
Can a Virginia hit and run charge involve more than just traffic penalties?
Yes. Depending on the facts, a hit and run charge can affect a person’s criminal record, driving privileges, employment, insurance, and future opportunities. Some cases are treated as more serious criminal matters, especially when injury is alleged or the claimed damage is significant.
What should I do if I am being investigated or charged with hit and run in Virginia?
Preserve photos, repair records, insurance information, dash camera footage, and any communication related to the accident. Avoid making assumptions about what the police can prove, and review the timeline, vehicle damage, and identification issues carefully before making unnecessary statements. Early decisions can matter in hit and run cases.
Request a Confidential Case Review
If you are facing a hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident charge in Virginia, early decisions can affect how the case is investigated, defended, and resolved. These cases often turn on identification, vehicle damage, witness statements, what the driver knew, and whether the evidence actually proves a legal duty was violated. Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law represent clients in Virginia criminal and traffic-related cases statewide and can help you understand the accusation, evaluate the evidence, and identify the practical next steps based on your specific facts and goals. To discuss your situation, request a confidential case review. For general background on penalties, proof, and common defense issues in these cases, review our Virginia hit and run charge guide.
11/10/2015 | Updated 3/28/2026