{"id":377183,"date":"2017-10-25T16:57:46","date_gmt":"2017-10-25T21:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/west-virginia-law\/west-virginia-car-accident-report-basics.html"},"modified":"2024-05-21T13:12:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T18:12:16","slug":"west-virginia-car-accident-report-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/west-virginia-law\/west-virginia-car-accident-report-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"West Virginia Car Accident Report Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

West Virginia Car Accident Report Basics<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Distracted drivers are a leading cause of car accidents in the U.S. In West Virginia, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) credits the state\u2019s distracted driving laws for the 18% decrease in roadway fatalities. But West Virginia still has more than 50,000 car accidents every year. <\/p>\r\n

Chances are, you or a loved one could be in a motor vehicle accident. Becoming familiar with West Virginia\u2019s car accident reporting basics will save you time. It can also save you money. The last thing you want is to pay a fine for not reporting your car crash.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll explain the traffic crash report laws in the state of West Virginia, discuss how to file this report, and briefly touch on how important the police report is to your car accident claim.<\/p>\r\n

How To File a Car Crash Report in West Virginia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The chart below summarizes West Virginia’s laws and procedures for filing a car crash report.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

State Accident Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Reporting Accidents to the Police<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

You must immediately call the police when an accident results in:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n

  • Personal injury or death<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

  • Total property damage of $1,000 or more<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Driver\u2019s Accident Report Filing<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Every driver must file a report with the DMV when an accident results in:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n

  • Bodily injury or death<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

  • Total property damage of $500 or more<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Crash Reports<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n