After a hit-and-run car crash, injured drivers are often left wondering what happened and what to do next. Even if the at-fault driver flees the scene, Virginia Beach residents may still have legal options for pursuing compensation.
If you’ve been injured by a driver who left the scene, call the Rutter Mills hit-and-run crash experts in Virginia Beach: (757) 777-7777.
At Rutter Mills Law Firm, we treat every hit-and-run as both an injury claim and an active investigation.
How our hit-and-run lawyers can help after a car crash:
With backgrounds in law enforcement, our investigative team is skilled at interviewing witnesses, tracking down surveillance footage, and filling in informational gaps. While our experienced hit-and-run attorneys build the case, our investigators preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and help identify fleeing drivers.
In most car accidents, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for damages. But in a hit-and-run car accident, who pays?
For Virginia Beach residents injured by another driver who fled the scene, compensation may be available through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage is typically used when a collision occurs, and one driver is uninsured. UM coverage is often used in hit-and-run crashes when the other driver cannot be identified.
These insurance policies may cover compensatory damages:
As of July 2026, injured Virginia Beach drivers may be able to claim punitive damages as well.
In certain cases, a hit-and-run can be classified as a felony in the state of Virginia. Recent changes to state law expressly permit courts to award punitive damages in hit-and-run car crashes in which the at-fault driver’s conduct constitutes a felony violation. This can provide injured victims another potential avenue for recovery.
Traditional compensatory damages are intended to reimburse the injured individuals for losses, while punitive damages are designed to punish and discourage similar behavior in the future.
Not every hit-and-run accident qualifies for punitive damages. However, when a driver causes a serious crash and knowingly leaves the scene, the circumstances of the case may support a claim for additional damages beyond those typically available in a car accident lawsuit.
Certain Virginia Beach roads, intersections, and highways experience a higher volume of crashes than others. Collisions are common with such heavy commuter traffic, military activity, seasonal tourism, nightlife, and busy pedestrian areas, and some drivers choose to flee the scene rather than stop and accept responsibility.
At 17.6 miles long, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) is one of the longest bridge-tunnels in the world. This impressive roadway is travelled by commercial vehicles, military traffic, motorcyclists, and tourists traveling to and from Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
High speeds, unpredictable weather, frequent backups, and long strips of unbroken straightaways make this route a hotspot for serious crashes. With limited space to pull over, many at-fault drivers may simply flee the scene.
As the largest and most populated city in the state, Virginia Beach attracts thousands of visitors each year. From Sandbridge and Rudee’s Inlet to Atlantic Avenue and the North End, the streets of Virginia Beach carry daily commuters, military traffic, rideshares, tourists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
With so many travelers sharing the streets, even minor mistakes can lead to serious collisions. Drivers who are impaired, uninsured, unfamiliar with the area, or fearful of the consequences may choose to flee the scene rather than stop and exchange information.
Home to military installations such as Naval Air Station Oceana and Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, Virginia Beach sees substantial daily traffic from service members, civilian employees, contractors, and visitors. Roads surrounding these facilities often experience congestion during shift changes and peak commuting hours, creating conditions where accidents can occur.
Town Center’s I-264 interchange is one of the busiest in Virginia Beach. Commuters in the early morning hours all the way to rush hour navigate multiple lanes of travel, frequent lane changes, and aggressive drivers. Free summer concerts and year-round nighttime foot traffic keep Town Center busy at all hours. This hustle and bustle can easily contribute to rear-end collisions, side-swipes, and other crashes where drivers leave the scene without stopping.
Shore Drive connects several of Virginia Beach’s most popular communities, parks, restaurants, and beaches. Heavy seasonal traffic, cyclists, pedestrians, and frequent turns can increase the risk of collisions, particularly during weekends and summer months.
The moments after a crash can be overwhelming, but the actions taken in the aftermath can significantly affect future car accident claims.
Because many hit-and-run claims involve uninsured motorist coverage, thorough documentation and prompt medical treatment can play an important role in the claims process.
Not every hit-and-run accident requires immediate legal action, but serious injuries, disputed insurance claims, and unidentified drivers can create challenges for victims seeking compensation.
An attorney can evaluate available insurance coverage, explain your legal options, and help determine whether additional compensation may be available. If you’ve been injured in a Virginia Beach hit-and-run accident, contact Rutter Mills hit-and-run experts for a free consultation: (757) 777-7777.
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If you’ve been injured on the job, workers’ compensation insurance may entitle you to critical assistance like medical treatment, lost wages, and more. But insurance companies will put up an aggressive fight to resist paying you the compensation you need and deserve. Rutter Mills can help get you the money you deserve.
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