If you suffer a car accident, the steps you take can significantly impact your claim. Reporting your accident is just one of the steps you should take after a crash so that you can ensure the details are on record. In Virginia, there are specific rules regarding accident reports, especially concerning law enforcement.
In Virginia, you must report an accident to law-enforcement if an attended vehicle suffers property damage or if someone in the crash suffered an injury or died. Non-reportable accidents are essentially those in which nobody was hurt and nobody was in a vehicle that sustained property damage.
Why Act Quickly?
The faster you report the crash, the better it is for your evidence. You may be able to have law enforcement detail your accident and preserve evidence from your crash scene. You should also report the accident to your insurance company, whether you were or were not at fault.
What Are Statutes of Limitations?
The Virginia statute of limitations sets forth timeframes you must abide by when filing a car accident claim. To pursue compensation for injuries after an accident, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the crash. For property damages, you have five years to file your case. For a wrongful death claim, you have two years to file a lawsuit.
At Shevlin Smith, our Fairfax car accident attorneys go above and beyond to help our clients pursue the compensation they deserve. If you suffer injuries because of someone else’s negligence, work quickly to get the results you need. Get our firm on your side, and we’ll go to work for you when you need it most.
Call our firm at 703-634-7350 for a free consultation.