If you were in a car accident in Virginia Beach, you are probably surrounded by stress, confusion, and a lot of unanswered questions. Where do you even begin to get your life back in order after a crash?
One of the most important and overlooked steps you can take to start clearing up post-accident matters is getting your Virginia Beach accident report.
This report is more than just paperwork. It can help protect your rights, support your insurance claim, and strengthen your case.
At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we have spent over 25 years helping people through situations just like this. And in this guide, our Virginia Beach personal injury lawyers walk you through why and how accident reporting can help you.
Why Your Virginia Beach Accident Report Matters
After a crash, it’s easy to focus on your vehicle or your injuries. And you should—seeking medical attention for your injuries right away is essential for your health, and documenting property damage is important to your case.
However, a Virginia Beach police report is also a critical element in a case or claim. Here’s why.
Reporting an Accident is Often Required by Law
Virginia law requires certain accidents to be reported. Under the Virginia Code, drivers must report a crash to law enforcement when the crash involves an injury or death. And law enforcement must make a report when there is:
- An injury,
- A death, or
- Property damage worth $3,000 or more.
Failure to report an incident when required by state law could result in penalties.
Obtaining a Virginia Beach Police Report Can Help You Get Compensation
Insurance companies often require and rely on accident reports to determine fault. Without a report, you may have a harder time supporting your insurance claim for compensation for medical care and property repair (or replacement) expenses.
While it may not be admissible to prove fault in court, a report can also help you identify witnesses and uncover details you may not remember clearly after the accident. Reports often contain information about:
- Owners of the vehicles involved;
- Insurance companies for the drivers and vehicles involved;
- Accident witnesses;
- The location, date, and time of the accident;
- Individuals injured in the accident; and
- At least one of the investigating officers.
This information can provide vital evidence for any claim you make or court case you file regarding the accident.
How to Get an Accident Report in Virginia Beach
Getting your Virginia Beach accident report is usually straightforward. The Virginia DMV provides access to police crash reports through its official system.
The Step-by-Step Process
To access the report:
- Contact the DMV online, by phone, or in person to obtain a request form for the DMV to perform a Virginia Beach police report lookup;
- Make a written request on the request form by providing the date of the accident, the location, the names of people involved, and your driver’s license number (if you have one); and
- Pay the required fee (currently $8).
In general, the DMV sends the report by mail. And the report request can usually be completed in just a few minutes if you have the right information.
Who Can Request an Accident Report?
Not everyone can access a crash report. Typically, access is limited to people involved in the accident or those with a legitimate interest.
Under the Virginia Code, the following individuals are typically allowed to request a report:
- Drivers involved in the accident,
- Individuals injured in the accident,
- Vehicle owners,
- Owners of damaged property,
- Attorneys or certain individuals representing those involved, and
- Insurance companies.
If you are unsure whether you qualify to receive a report, our Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options and obtain the report.
How Long Do You Have to Take Legal Action?
If you were injured in a car accident, timing matters for recouping damages. Under Virginia law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Also, the DMV typically keeps a Virginia Beach police report for three years or longer. Getting your accident report early can help you avoid delays and protect your case.
Our Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Car accident cases can be complex, but you can avoid some of the stress with a good advocate. At Merrick Brock, our highly experienced legal team guides clients in Virginia Beach through every step of a car accident case.
From obtaining a Virginia Beach accident report to building a strong case for compensation, we stay with you. Our goal is to make things simple and manageable for you while pursuing full and fair compensation. Please contact us on our website or by phone to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can I Obtain a Copy of My Report?
You can get a copy of your accident report from the Virginia DMV by submitting a written request containing personal and accident information and paying the report fee.
Am I the Only Person Who Can Request a Report?
No. Your attorney, the other driver, an involved insurance carrier, and anyone harmed by the accident can request the report as well. A representative (such as an immediate family member or guardian) for you or someone else involved may also have the right to request a report.
Can I Submit an Accident Report in Court?
Typically, accident reports cannot be used as evidence in a court case. But an accident report is useful for moving an insurance claim forward and locating evidence you can use in court (e.g., witness contacts for testimony).
What Happens If I Don’t Report an Accident?
Failing to report can also make it harder to file an insurance claim or prove your case later.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page
To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:
- Driver to give immediate notice of certain accidents, VA Code Ann., § 46.2-371 (1989).
- Driver to report certain accidents in writing, VA Code Ann., § 46.2-372 (1989).
- Report by law-enforcement official, VA Code Ann., § 46.2-373 (2025).
- Extent to which reports may be used as evidence, VA Code Ann., § 46.2-378 (1989).
- Use of crash reports, VA Code Ann., § 46.2-379 (2024).
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, “Request a Police Crash Report from DMV.”
- Statute of limitations, VA Code Ann., § 8.01-243 (2023).
- Report maintenance for three years, VA Code Ann., § 46.2-380 (2023).