Portsmouth Personal Injury Attorney

Navigating a personal injury claim can be daunting. Especially when your odds of winning depend on the experience of those representing you.

The research shows your legal representation not only affects the success of your personal injury case but also the amount awarded. Those who hired a lawyer won an average of $77,600 in compensation, compared to just $17,600 for those who chose to represent themselves.

We understand the pressure to settle outside of court. However, if you let us help you fight, you’re likely to receive compensation that’s twice as high as if you didn’t. That’s a lot of money that can go toward lost wages, piling medical bills, and so much more.

Surviving a traumatic personal injury won’t be easy, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult either. The Smith Law Center is here to help you get the very best outcome out of your suit.

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Trust Smith Law Center to handle your case with the expertise that leads to winning results. Contact us online or by phone at (757) 244-7000.

Smith Law Center: Personal Injury Attorney in Portsmouth

For over 40 years, the Smith Law Center has provided legal representation for thousands of Virginia families. Our firm’s dedicated Portsmouth personal injury lawyer will help strengthen your case through expert counsel.

Our firm’s founder Stephen M. Smith is a graduate of the esteemed Marquette University’s Neuroanatomical Program. His unique background provides insights into the unique needs of brain injury victims in our cases.

But don’t just trust our words, trust our record-breaking verdicts and settlements, including a $5,200,000 award to a special education teacher–the largest personal injury verdict in the state of Virginia at its time.

Contact us today to receive a free legal consultation—one call could be the first step toward the justice you deserve. 

What Personal Injury Claims Does the Smith Law Center Work With?

Personal injury law encompasses a wide range of incidents where an individual suffers harm due to another party's negligence or intentional acts. 

Our Portsmouth personal injury attorney will be able to give you expert legal representation to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. Here are the primary types of personal injury suits we handle:

• Birth Injuries
• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• DUI Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Whiplash
• Delayed Injury Symptoms
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Medical Malpractice

Birth Injuries

Seven out of every one thousand births can result in a birthing injury. Don’t let your baby succumb to the statistics.

Birth injuries can result from medical negligence during the prenatal period, labor, or delivery. These injuries may include cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and other serious conditions that can have lifelong impacts on the child and family.

Car Accidents

In the state of Virginia, there’s a crash every four minutes, making car accidents one of the most common causes of personal injury claims. With fatal crashes on the rise in Portsmouth, it’s never been more important to hold negligent parties accountable.

Whether caused by distracted driving, speeding, or other forms of negligence, car accidents can lead to severe injuries and significant financial burdens. All of which deserve compensation.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents only account for 2.4% of Portsmouth crashes, but typically result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. 

These cases can be complex to handle by yourself as they often involve multiple parties such as the truck driver, trucking company, and insurance providers.

DUI Accidents

On average, one person is killed and 11 are injured in the state of Virginia, a trend that has been hard to reverse. 

Accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are particularly egregious, as they involve reckless behavior that endangers the lives of others. DUI accident claims seek to hold the impaired driver accountable and provide compensation for the victims.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on the road, and accidents can result in severe injuries or fatalities. According to studies, they make up the majority of fatalities on the road.

Too often, many cyclists are killed or severely injured through no fault of their own. These cases require a thorough understanding of motorcycle laws and the unique challenges faced by riders.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death claims arise when an individual's death is caused by the negligence or misconduct of another party. These cases seek compensation for the surviving family members for their loss, including funeral expenses, loss of income, and emotional suffering.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can have devastating, life-altering consequences, often resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These cases require substantial evidence to demonstrate the extent of the injury and its impact on the victim's life.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, characterized by neck pain and stiffness. While sometimes dismissed as minor, whiplash can lead to chronic pain and long-term complications.

Delayed Injury Symptoms

Some injuries, such as concussions or internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent following an accident. It is crucial to recognize and document these delayed symptoms to ensure proper compensation.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can occur due to hazardous conditions like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poorly maintained properties. Property owners may be held liable for injuries resulting from their negligence in maintaining safe premises.

Medical Malpractice

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis make up the majority of malpractice claims. If you have received a bad diagnosis, you may be eligible for a claim.

Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, resulting in injury or death to a patient. These cases can involve surgical errors, misdiagnoses, medication errors, and more.

Struggling to get the support you need after a traumatic injury? You might be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. Reach out by phone at (757) 244-7000 and let us help you with your claim.

Each type of personal injury case requires a tailored approach to effectively advocate for the victim's rights and secure fair compensation. At Smith Law Center, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support and representation for all these types of personal injury claims.

Smith Law Center: Leading Advocates for Victims of Brain Injuries

Most Portsmouth personal injury attorneys don’t have a Stephen M. Smith, Esq.–an internationally recognized law professional with experience in traumatic brain injury litigation, bringing over 47 years of experience to their law firm.

As the founder of the Brain Injury Law Center, Smith has litigated serious and catastrophic injury cases across the United States and worldwide, securing some of the most significant verdicts in history. 

Notably, he won the largest personal injury verdict in Virginia and the largest mild traumatic brain injury verdict ever awarded globally. 

Smith's track record includes numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts nationwide for survivors of catastrophic and traumatic brain injuries. 

He has proudly represented thousands of survivors and their families, offering compassionate and dedicated legal support to those brave enough to share their stories of how these injuries have altered their lives.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, Smith was inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2019. This honor is reserved for highly skilled attorneys who have made significant impacts throughout their careers. 

Smith is frequently sought after as a speaker and co-counsel and has been consistently featured in the U.S. News Best Lawyers in America, including the 2021 edition. His ongoing recognition as a Super Lawyer further underscores his expertise and dedication.

Smith has held numerous prestigious positions, including past chairman of the American Association of Justice Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group. 

He is the only attorney from Virginia to be awarded Diplomate status by the American Board of Trial Advocates and serves as a national board member. 

His leadership extends to roles such as president of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, board member of Public Justice, and national board member of the Belli Society.

At the Smith Law Center, we leverage this unparalleled expertise and dedication to advocate fiercely for victims of brain injuries, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

"I would like to thank your firm for representing our family on behalf of my late husband. This whole process was, at times, difficult for us and sometimes painful. But, we were always in good hands as Stephen and Howard are two of the hardest working and sincerest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. They did a tremendous job.

I am so grateful for the compensation we received. This will give us the opportunity to do some positive things in his memory, and for the first time in 18 years I have a sense of closure and the peace of mind that we did everything we could to see that there was some form of accountability.

I really can’t thank you, and your entire staff, enough for caring so much and seeing to it that the sacrifice my late husband made was not in vain. You and the members of your firm are personally responsible for taking what was a horrible tragedy and transforming it into a legacy that he would be very proud of. You have my deepest respect and admiration."

Kindest regards,
Donna

Read Our Recent Client Wins

A Hampton jury awarded a record $7.5 million to a woman who suffered a brain injury during a car accident. This award secured her the necessary funds for her ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation and provided financial stability during her recovery. 

The substantial compensation reflects the profound impact the injury had on her daily life and our commitment to fighting for the support our clients may need to rebuild their lives.

In another case, a middle school principal in Hampton, Virginia, was awarded $4.1 million for a mild traumatic brain injury suffered in an auto accident. 

The injury compromised his ability to lead his school and impacted his professional and personal life significantly. His compensation allowed for advanced medical treatment and ensured he could maintain his quality of life.