2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-372 - Driver to report certain accidents in writing; certification of financial responsibility to Departm...

46.2-372. Driver to report certain accidents in writing; certification offinancial responsibility to Department; supplemental reports; reports bywitnesses.

A. Any person involved in an accident (i) resulting in injury to or death ofany person or property damage, or (ii) when there is reason to believe amotor vehicle involved in the accident was uninsured at the time of theaccident, may make a written report of it to the Commissioner, on a formprescribed by the Department.

B. If any accident report filed pursuant to the provisions of this article isalleged to be false or inaccurate, the Commissioner shall withhold any actionunder this section or imposition of any penalty and shall investigate anddetermine the true circumstances of the accident, including a determinationof the identity of the parties involved.

C. For the purposes of this article the definitions provided in subsection Bof 38.2-2206 shall apply.

D. The Commissioner shall require the owner of a motor vehicle involved inany accident of which report is made pursuant to this section to provideinformation relating to certification of insurance or bond if there was ineffect at the time of the accident with respect to the motor vehicle involved:

1. A standard provisions automobile liability policy in form approved by theState Corporation Commission and issued by an insurance carrier authorized todo business in the Commonwealth or, if the motor vehicle was not registeredin the Commonwealth or was a motor vehicle which was registered elsewherethan in the Commonwealth at the effective date of the policy, or at its mostrecent renewal, an automobile liability policy acceptable to that Commissionas substantially the equivalent of a standard provisions automobile liabilitypolicy; in either event, every automobile liability policy is subject to thelimits provided in 46.2-472.

2. Any other form of liability insurance policy issued by an insurancecarrier authorized to do business in the Commonwealth or by a bond; providedthat every such policy or bond mentioned herein is subject to limits set outin 46.2-472.

E. The Commissioner shall forward the certification of insurance or bond tothe insurance company or surety company, whichever is applicable, forverification as to whether or not the policy or bond certified was applicableto any liability that may arise out of the accident as to the named insured.A copy of the certification of insurance or bond shall be retained by theCommissioner and shall be disclosed pursuant to 46.2-380.

(Code 1950, 46-398; 1958, c. 541, 46.1-400; 1966, c. 130; 1972, c. 442;1974, c. 453; 1975, c. 553; 1978, c. 205; 1979, c. 228; 1982, c. 221; 1986,c. 639; 1989, c. 727.)