Crashes, deer and traffic stops

Key points

1. If the vehicles can be moved, no one is hurt and you can do it safely, move them off the road right away.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Drivers must move vehicles from the road immediately if the vehicles are able to be moved, no one is injured and the driver is capable of safely doing so.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

2. Crashes involving property damage, personal injury or death must be reported to the police.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Motor vehicle crashes involving property damage, personal injury or death must be reported to the police.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

3. Do not move an injured person unless you have medical training or there is immediate danger such as fire.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Do not attempt to move an injured person from a wrecked vehicle unless you have the necessary medical training or there is an immediate danger such as fire.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

4. Police send a crash report to DMV when someone is hurt or killed or damage is over $3,000.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Law enforcement officers are required to forward a written crash report to DMV when a traffic crash results in injury or the death of any person or total property damage is in excess of $3,000.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

5. If you damage an unattended vehicle and cannot find the owner, leave a note that is easy to find.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “If you cannot locate anyone, leave a note that can be found easily at the scene of the crash.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

6. The note must include your name, phone number, the date and time, and a description of the damage.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Include your name, telephone number, the date and time of the crash, and a description of the damage. You must also report the crash to the police within 24 hours.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

7. Be alert for deer at dusk and dawn, especially in the fall.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Be alert at dusk and dawn especially in the fall.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

8. If hitting a deer is unavoidable, do not swerve; brake firmly, stay in your lane and come to a controlled stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “If a collision with a deer or other animal is unavoidable, do not swerve. Brake firmly, stay in your lane, and come to a controlled stop.”
   Virginia Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Virginia practice test

1. 1. After a crash with no injuries, when may the drivers move the vehicles?

   1. When the vehicles can be moved safely and the drivers can do so without blocking traffic
   2. Never, because crash vehicles must remain in place
   3. Immediately, even if someone is injured
   4. Only after a tow truck arrives
   Show answer

   When the vehicles can be moved safely and the drivers can do so without blocking traffic. Virginia's manual directs drivers to move vehicles from the road immediately when they are able to move them, nobody is injured, and the driver can do it safely. This protects people from traffic and reduces a secondary collision. Waiting for a tow truck is unnecessary, and leaving vehicles in the travel lane creates another hazard. Injury changes the condition, so moving a vehicle immediately without checking for injured people is also wrong. Turn on hazard flashers and choose a safe location when possible.

2. 2. You hit an unattended parked vehicle in Virginia and cannot find the owner. What must you do?

   1. Drive away, since no one was present
   2. Wait at the scene for one hour then leave
   3. Leave an easily found note with your name, phone, date, time and damage description, and report to police within 24 hours
   4. Call your insurer only
   Show answer

   Leave an easily found note with your name, phone, date, time and damage description, and report to police within 24 hours. You must make a reasonable effort to find the owner of an unattended vehicle or other property damaged in a crash. If you cannot locate anyone, leave a note that can be found easily at the scene with your name, telephone number, the date and time of the crash, and a description of the damage. You must also report the crash to the police within 24 hours.

3. 3. After a crash involving property damage, personal injury, or death, what must be reported to the police?

   1. Only the vehicle color
   2. The motor vehicle crash
   3. Only the weather conditions
   4. Nothing unless another driver asks
   Show answer

   The motor vehicle crash. Virginia requires a motor vehicle crash involving property damage, personal injury, or death to be reported to the police. This duty concerns the crash itself and does not depend on a request from another driver. Vehicle color and weather may be useful details, but neither replaces the report. If the crash causes an injury, give reasonable help without moving an injured person unless you have medical training or an immediate danger such as fire exists. Contact police promptly, protect the scene from further danger, and exchange identifying information with the people involved.

Source: the Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.