The court, in which an action is pending against a nonresident growing out of an accident or collision as specified in §§ 8.01-308 and 8.01-309, or in an action pending against a person or entity served with process through the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission as statutory agent pursuant to § 12.1-19.1, may order such continuances as necessary to afford such nonresident, person, or entity reasonable opportunity to defend the action.