{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-373.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-373.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-373.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-373.html"}],"law_id":60928,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60928,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-373","catch_line":"Report by law-enforcement official investigating accident","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-399; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-401; 1975, c. 553; 1986, c. 639; 1988, cc. 662, 897; 1989, c. 727; 1992, cc. 149, 413; 2009, c. 1; 2024, cc. 79, 80; 2025, c. 255.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery law-enforcement officer who in the course of duty investigates a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $3,000 or more, either at the time of and at the scene of the accident or thereafter and elsewhere, by interviewing participants or witnesses shall, within twenty-four hours after completing the investigation, forward a written report of the accident to the Department. The report shall include the name or names of the insurance carrier or of the insurance agent of the automobile liability policy on each vehicle involved in the accident. A law-enforcement agency may utilize a contracted service provider to forward reports electronically to the Department in compliance with this section and to manage or disseminate copies of such reports to persons identified in, and in a manner consistent with, § 46.2-380, provided such contracted service provider complies with the requirements applicable to an agency in Chapter 38 (§ 2.2-3800 et seq.) of Title 2.2.B\n\nAny report filed pursuant to subsection A of this section shall include information as to (i) the speed of each vehicle involved in the accident and (ii) the type of vehicles involved in all accidents between passenger vehicles and vehicles or combinations of vehicles used to transport property, and (iii) whether any trucks involved in such accidents were covered or uncovered.C\n\nThe Department shall supply copies of accident reports received under this section to the Commissioner of Highways who shall exercise the authority granted to him under §§ 46.2-870 through 46.2-878 to reduce speed limits where accident frequency or severity or other factors may indicate the course of action to be warranted.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":222851,"text":"Every law-enforcement officer who in the course of duty investigates a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $3,000 or more, either at the time of and at the scene of the accident or thereafter and elsewhere, by interviewing participants or witnesses shall, within twenty-four hours after completing the investigation, forward a written report of the accident to the Department. The report shall include the name or names of the insurance carrier or of the insurance agent of the automobile liability policy on each vehicle involved in the accident. A law-enforcement agency may utilize a contracted service provider to forward reports electronically to the Department in compliance with this section and to manage or disseminate copies of such reports to persons identified in, and in a manner consistent with, § 46.2-380, provided such contracted service provider complies with the requirements applicable to an agency in Chapter 38 (§ 2.2-3800 et seq.) of Title 2.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":222852,"text":"Any report filed pursuant to subsection A of this section shall include information as to (i) the speed of each vehicle involved in the accident and (ii) the type of vehicles involved in all accidents between passenger vehicles and vehicles or combinations of vehicles used to transport property, and (iii) whether any trucks involved in such accidents were covered or uncovered.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":222853,"text":"The Department shall supply copies of accident reports received under this section to the Commissioner of Highways who shall exercise the authority granted to him under §§ 46.2-870 through 46.2-878 to reduce speed limits where accident frequency or severity or other factors may indicate the course of action to be warranted.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13851,"edition_id":1,"name":"Accident Reports","identifier":"11","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12772,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:05","permalink":{"id":225679,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13851,"identifier":"11","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12772,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure of Drivers","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12771,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225629,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12772,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/II\/3","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling, Registration and Licensure","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12771,"identifier":"II","token":"46.2\/II","url":"\/46.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":85198,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-371","catch_line":"Driver to give immediate notice of certain accidents","url":"\/46.2-371\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-371","metadata":false},{"id":66632,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-372","catch_line":"Driver to report certain accidents in writing; certification of financial responsibility to Department; supplemental reports; reports by witnesses","url":"\/46.2-372\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-372","metadata":false},{"id":60928,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-373","catch_line":"Report by law-enforcement official investigating accident","url":"\/46.2-373\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-373","metadata":false},{"id":66903,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-373.1","catch_line":"Report of law-enforcement officer involved in accident","url":"\/46.2-373.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-373.1","metadata":false},{"id":75021,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-374","catch_line":"Department to prepare and supply forms for reports","url":"\/46.2-374\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-374","metadata":false},{"id":79660,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-375","catch_line":"Reports by medical examiners of deaths resulting from accidents","url":"\/46.2-375\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-375","metadata":false},{"id":86185,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-376","catch_line":"Report required of person in charge of garage or repair shop","url":"\/46.2-376\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-376","metadata":false},{"id":86462,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-377","catch_line":"Reports made by garages to be without prejudice and confidential; exceptions","url":"\/46.2-377\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-377","metadata":false},{"id":57848,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-378","catch_line":"Extent to which reports may be used as evidence","url":"\/46.2-378\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-378","metadata":false},{"id":62688,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-379","catch_line":"Use of crash reports made by investigating officers","url":"\/46.2-379\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-379","metadata":false},{"id":60523,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-380","catch_line":"Reports made under certain sections open to inspection by certain persons; copies; maintenance of reports and photographs for three-year period","url":"\/46.2-380\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-380","metadata":false},{"id":84456,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-381","catch_line":"Accident reports required by county or municipal ordinance; copies","url":"\/46.2-381\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-381","metadata":false},{"id":55524,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-382","catch_line":"Courts to keep full records of certain cases","url":"\/46.2-382\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-382","metadata":false},{"id":68938,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-382.1","catch_line":"Courts to make findings relating to commercial motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-382.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-382.1","metadata":false},{"id":55824,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-383","catch_line":"Courts to forward abstracts of records or furnish abstract data of conviction by electronic means in certain cases; records in office of Department; inspection; clerk's fee for reports","url":"\/46.2-383\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-383","metadata":false},{"id":65847,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-384","catch_line":"Law-enforcement officers arresting drivers for certain offenses to request abstracts or transcripts of drivers' conviction records","url":"\/46.2-384\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-384","metadata":false},{"id":57729,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-385","catch_line":"Prosecuting attorneys to appear in certain cases","url":"\/46.2-385\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-385","metadata":false},{"id":59992,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-386","catch_line":"Forms for and information to be contained in abstracts; certification","url":"\/46.2-386\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-386","metadata":false},{"id":68441,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-387","catch_line":"Penalty for failure to forward record of conviction or of judgment for damages","url":"\/46.2-387\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-387","metadata":false},{"id":54873,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-388","catch_line":"Uniform summons to be used for reportable motor vehicle law violations; citations","url":"\/46.2-388\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-388","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":66632,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-372","catch_line":"Driver to report certain accidents in writing; certification of financial responsibility to Department; supplemental reports; reports by witnesses","url":"\/46.2-372\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-372","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66903,"structure_id":13851,"section_number":"46.2-373.1","catch_line":"Report of law-enforcement officer involved in accident","url":"\/46.2-373.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-373.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-373\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1975, chapter 553; in 1986, chapter 639; in 1988, chapters 662 and 897; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1992, chapters 149 and 413; in 2009, chapter 1<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 79<\/a> and 80<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 255<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82227,"section_number":"19.2-60.1","catch_line":"Use of unmanned aircraft systems by public bodies; search warrant required","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-60.1\/"},{"id":59691,"section_number":"46.2-208","catch_line":"Records of Department; when open for inspection; release of privileged information","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-208\/"},{"id":80663,"section_number":"46.2-368","catch_line":"Certificate of self-insurance exempts from chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-368\/"},{"id":66903,"section_number":"46.2-373.1","catch_line":"Report of law-enforcement officer involved in accident","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-373.1\/"},{"id":75021,"section_number":"46.2-374","catch_line":"Department to prepare and supply forms for reports","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-374\/"},{"id":60523,"section_number":"46.2-380","catch_line":"Reports made under certain sections open to inspection by certain persons; copies; maintenance of reports and photographs for three-year period","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-380\/"},{"id":75137,"section_number":"46.2-888","catch_line":"Stopping on highways; removing motor vehicle from roadway","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-888\/"},{"id":81237,"section_number":"46.2-902.1","catch_line":"Officer may require certain motorists to furnish proof of insurance; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-902.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":69409,"section_number":"2.2-3800","catch_line":"Short title; findings; principles of information practice","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3800\/"},{"id":60523,"section_number":"46.2-380","catch_line":"Reports made under certain sections open to inspection by certain persons; copies; maintenance of reports and photographs for three-year period","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-380\/"},{"id":59540,"section_number":"46.2-870","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-870\/"},{"id":81825,"section_number":"46.2-878","catch_line":"Authority to change speed limits","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-878\/"}],"permalink":{"id":225689,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60928,"identifier":"46.2-373","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-373","url":"\/46.2-373\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-373\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/11\/46.2-373","dublin_core":{"Title":"Report by law-enforcement official investigating accident","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-373","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> who in the course of duty investigates a motor vehicle<\/span> accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $3,000 or more, either at the time of and at the scene of the accident or thereafter and elsewhere, by interviewing participants or witnesses shall, within twenty-four hours after completing the investigation, forward a written report of the accident to the Department<\/span>. The report shall include the name or names of the insurance carrier or of the insurance agent<\/span> of the automobile liability policy on each vehicle involved in the accident. A law<\/span>-enforcement agency may utilize a contracted service provider to forward reports electronically to the Department<\/span> in compliance with this section and to manage or disseminate copies of such reports to persons identified in, and in a manner consistent with, § 46.2-380<\/a>, provided such contracted service provider complies with the requirements applicable to an agency in Chapter 38 (§ 2.2-3800<\/a> et seq.) of Title 2.2. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any report filed pursuant to subsection A of this section shall include information as to (i) the speed of each vehicle involved in the accident and (ii) the type of vehicles<\/span> involved in all accidents between passenger vehicles<\/span> and vehicles<\/span> or combinations of vehicles<\/span> used to transport property, and (iii) whether any trucks<\/span> involved in such accidents were covered or uncovered. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall supply copies of accident reports received under this section to the Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span><\/span> who shall exercise the authority granted to him under §§ 46.2-870<\/a> through 46.2-878<\/a> to reduce speed limits where accident frequency or severity or other factors may indicate the course of action to be warranted. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREPORT BY LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL INVESTIGATING ACCIDENT (\u00a7 46.2-373)\n\nA. Every law-enforcement officer who in the course of duty investigates a motor\nvehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property\ndamage to an apparent extent of $3,000 or more, either at the time of and at the\nscene of the accident or thereafter and elsewhere, by interviewing participants\nor witnesses shall, within twenty-four hours after completing the investigation,\nforward a written report of the accident to the Department. The report shall\ninclude the name or names of the insurance carrier or of the insurance agent of\nthe automobile liability policy on each vehicle involved in the accident. A\nlaw-enforcement agency may utilize a contracted service provider to forward\nreports electronically to the Department in compliance with this section and to\nmanage or disseminate copies of such reports to persons identified in, and in a\nmanner consistent with, § 46.2-380, provided such contracted service\nprovider complies with the requirements applicable to an agency in Chapter 38\n(§ 2.2-3800 et seq.) of Title 2.2.\n\nB. Any report filed pursuant to subsection A of this section shall include\ninformation as to (i) the speed of each vehicle involved in the accident and\n(ii) the type of vehicles involved in all accidents between passenger vehicles\nand vehicles or combinations of vehicles used to transport property, and (iii)\nwhether any trucks involved in such accidents were covered or uncovered.\n\nC. The Department shall supply copies of accident reports received under this\nsection to the Commissioner of Highways who shall exercise the authority granted\nto him under §§ 46.2-870 through 46.2-878 to reduce speed limits where\naccident frequency or severity or other factors may indicate the course of\naction to be warranted.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-399; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-401; 1975, c. 553; 1986, c.\n639; 1988, cc. 662, 897; 1989, c. 727; 1992, cc. 149, 413; 2009, c. 1; 2024, cc.\n79, 80; 2025, c. 255.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}