Norfolk, VA, Car Accident Lawyer

Car and other motor vehicle accidents can cause overwhelming financial and emotional hardship. With millions of accidents occurring every year in the U.S., leading to permanent injury and death, the costs can be devastating.

An experienced car accident attorney can help you secure the funds you deserve. As one of the oldest law firms in Norfolk, VA, The Smith Law Center has the resources and connections to secure compensation for your pain, losses, and future care needs.

Our attorneys have recovered over $1 billion for our clients. These funds create financial stability and guarantee dignified care for long-term injuries.

You only have one chance to file a claim after a crash. You need a proven Norfolk, VA, car accident lawyer. Let us build a substantial case on your behalf. Contact The Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 for a free and fully confidential consultation. A robust settlement or verdict could impact the quality of your life.

“After sustaining injuries from a car accident that wasn’t my fault and then having to spend $8,000 of my savings to replace my car, it was very frustrating to hear from two separate attorneys that I had no grounds for filing suit. I’ll always be thankful that I happened to see The Smith Law Center on Facebook during that time and decided it was worth one more phone call. I really can’t thank you enough for securing the damages to which I was entitled.”

Nancy A.

What Makes Virginia Roads So Dangerous?

As a Norfolk, VA, car accident attorney, here's what the data shows are contributing factors for fatal crashes in Norfolk and Virginia from 2022 to now:

• The total number of fatal crashes is increasing. According to the 2022 Virginia Traffic Crash Fact Report, 43.9% of all fatalities recorded in Virginia in 2022 were speeding-related.
• Alcohol and speeding are the top driver contributing factors for all fatal crashes. 43.5% of all fatalities were alcohol-related, and 39.1% were speeding-related.
• Vehicle speed increases both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of the crash.
• Virginia’s I-64 has the deadliest portion of road in the entire state– specifically, the stretch of highway between Exit 261A and 264 near a major casino. The area has seen 11 fatal accidents in just two years.
• Virginia is the 11th worst state for distracted driving fatalities. Close to 14% of lethal crashes involve distracted drivers. 
• Truck accidents are the most fatal auto accidents. They almost always lead to death or permanent disability.
• October is the deadliest month in Virginia. It may coincide with tourism and the beginning of snowy/icy winter road conditions.

Coastal cities like Norfolk, VA, experience a rise in fatal crashes during tourist season. An experienced Norfolk, VA, car accident attorney will know how to use these circumstances to build your case.

How Can a Norfolk, VA, Car Accident Lawyer Support My Claim?

Never speak to third parties or insurance companies without your lawyer present. The information you share might be used against you to assign fault or to deny coverage. Contact The Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 as soon as possible, and we'll deal with impatient insurance providers.

An experienced car accident attorney in Norfolk, VA, can assist in collecting evidence, such as:

• Police reports: Gathering official accident reports from law enforcement. These detail the crash's circumstances and any initial fault findings.
• Photographs and videos: Obtaining visual evidence from the scene. This includes vehicle damage, road conditions, and traffic signs or signals.
• Eyewitness statements: Identifying and interviewing witnesses. They can provide objective accounts of the incident.
• Medical records: Collect documentation of injuries sustained in the crash. This may include diagnoses, treatment plans, and any long-term medical effects.
• Surveillance footage: Obtain footage from nearby traffic or security cameras if available.
• Vehicle damage reports: Working with experts to assess the extent of damage to your vehicle.
• Expert testimony: Consulting accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash and provide insight into fault.
• Cell phone records: If distracted driving is suspected, request and analyze the other driver’s phone records. This determines if they were texting or calling during the crash.

This evidence builds a strong case and may help you get the compensation you deserve. 

An auto accident lawyer in Norfolk, VA, will know how to talk to insurance companies. In Virginia, all motorists must carry insurance with minimum coverage, but that doesn't mean it'll be respected. 

Although you’d think your compensation will be granted fairly, this is rarely the case. Without an experienced lawyer to advocate for you, you might be offered a fraction of what you're entitled to.

What Kind of Settlement Can a Norfolk, VA, Car Accident Attorney Help Me Secure?

Depending on injuries, symptoms, and financial losses, a lawyer can help you recover funds for:

• Medical bills, including emergency transport, medications, and long-term care or physical therapy.
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity. Including compensation for missed work, lost employment, or lost job-related benefits.
• Pain and suffering, which could mean the physical pain of your injuries and the psychological trauma associated. This could include anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
• Exceptional damages are fees that may be charged to the other side to punish them for appallingly unsafe behavior. That money may then be awarded to you as compensation.
• Grieving family members may also file wrongful death claims. These claims can help recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and emotional loss.

The Smith Law Center has secured multi-million dollar results for our car accident clients. Recently, we won a $7.5 million jury verdict for a woman who suffered a brain injury from a car accident, as well as $4.75 million from a company defendant for a librarian with a mild TBI after an auto wreck.

Thanks to our founding attorney, Stephen M. Smith, and his background in neuroanatomical science, we have secured landmark victories for our clients. This has fostered a unique skill set for litigating head, brain, neck, and spinal cord injuries that result from car accidents.

Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer in Norfolk, VA

"We navigate your legal challenges with compassion and expertise."

Katie Carroll

Choosing a reputable Norfolk-area car accident lawyer for you will likely hinge on three key factors:

1. Proven experience: Has this attorney successfully represented car accident injuries like yours before? Are they willing to take your case to a full trial if negotiations stall? Ask for recent examples of cases like yours, or look for a case results or client reviews page on their website for specific information.
2. Local accessibility: Does the attorney hold consultations at their office, and are they willing to take the time to meet with you in person? Being able to build a personal rapport with your attorney matters. An established local lawyer will be more accessible. They will also be familiar with Virginia state laws and how to calculate losses for the courts in your district.
3. Payment arrangement: Does the law firm offer a contingency fee arrangement, or are you expected to pay upfront? We work on contingency at The Smith Law Center, meaning we only collect a fee if we successfully win your compensation. We understand that our clients might experience financial hardship after a car accident. We handle filing fees, investigations, and court appearances as an investment in your case.

The Advantages of Hiring an Experienced Norfolk, VA, Auto Accident Attorney

The benefit of hiring a Norfolk, VA, car accident attorney for your case is two-fold: you get peace of mind knowing a professional is handling the precise legal work on your behalf; and you’re more likely to receive a fair settlement.

According to a Martindale-Nolo study, settlements are typically higher if a lawyer is present to plead your case. Simply put, a car accident attorney will protect your best interests while you recover in peace.

When you hire us, feel confident that your case is in the hands of dedicated professionals. Our attorneys will provide updated timelines and layout information for your decisions. 

Contact us at (757) 244-7000 to discuss your options with a proven, compassionate team.

How Long Will My Norfolk, VA, Car Accident Case Take?

The timeline for your unique case will depend on multiple factors—mainly the availability of evidence and whether the opposing side is willing to negotiate.

The car accident attorneys at The Smith Law Center will conduct an independent investigation. This may include going to the crash scene, inspecting the vehicles, and speaking with the other driver so you do not have to endure unnecessary interaction with the person who harmed you.

We build your case as if we’re going to trial, but we can reach a substantial settlement out of court for most cases. However, if the other side refuses to compensate for your injuries fairly, we will not hesitate to go before a judge or jury.

A pre- or mid-trial settlement lets you move on immediately after a car accident.

However, if your case does go to trial, there are potential benefits to achieving a verdict: judges and juries can greatly increase your compensation. Once a verdict is made, the other side can no longer decide what they’ll settle for; it’s a court-mandated order that they pay what you’re owed.

Why Hire The Smith Law Center

If there’s an option between whether to settle or go to trial, you will always be empowered to make the best decision for you. We at The Smith Law Center are here to provide information as needed and then proceed with your choice.

At The Smith Law Center, we are a multi-generational, family-run personal injury law firm headquartered in Virginia. We have 300+ years of combined legal experience working for fellow Virginians. We’ve recovered $2 million in a verdict for a woman suffering a mild head injury in a collision and $10 million in a verdict for a trucking accident– the largest personal injury verdict in Norfolk, VA.