Auto Accident Lawyers Serving Virginia

Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve suffered serious injuries like head, brain, neck, or spine trauma. Insurance companies often prioritize their bottom line over your well-being. That’s where a Virginia car accident lawyer comes in.

Car accidents can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. But, a lawyer will have your back, making sure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.

At The Smith Law Center, our Virginia car accident attorney can investigate your accident, calculate how much you’re entitled to, and represent you in negotiations or court. 

We have fought for the rights of car accident victims for over 75 years, and we won’t rest until you receive a fair settlement. Contact us online or call (757) 244-7000 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What Kind of Settlement Can a Virginia Car Accident Attorney Help You Secure?

Your Virginia car accident attorney may help you secure compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses: This includes the cost of hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any other medical bills related to your injuries.
• Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you lost during your recovery period.
• Pain and suffering: This includes the physical and emotional pain you’ve experienced as a result of the accident.
• Property damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as any other property that was damaged in the accident.
• Punitive damages: In some cases, a court may award punitive damages if the at-fault driver did something very wrong, like if the driver was driving drunk.

The settlement amount will depend on various factors, including: 

• The severity of your injuries.
• The extent of the property damage.
• The at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits.

While there is no guaranteed amount you can receive in a lawsuit, your attorney will work hard to negotiate a settlement that covers all of your damages and losses.

Also, If you’ve lost a loved one due to a car accident in Virginia, you may qualify for wrongful death damages. These can cover both economic concerns like loss of income or paying for a funeral, as well as the deep sadness of losing that special person in your life.

See our wrongful death FAQs for more information, and reach out to The Smith Law Center directly at (757) 244-7000 to discuss your family’s needs.

“I highly recommend the Smith Law Center - our attorney David Holt and paralegal Aaron and the whole team worked diligently to get us a fair settlement in our auto accident case. From the beginning of the litigation process to the final settlement- we were kept updated and all of our questions/concerns addressed in a timely manner. Our family is so thankful that we chose the Smith Law Center!”

- A. Epstein

Beware of Recorded Statements to Insurance Companies

When you’re in a car accident, it’s important to know that providing a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance is one of the worst things you can do for your case. 

Doing so can seriously harm your claim because when the other insurance company asks for a recorded statement, they are trained to ask questions that benefit them, not you. Even innocent-sounding questions can still be used against you. 

For example, they may ask you how you’re feeling right after the accident. The exchange might sound something like this: 

Insurance Company: “Hi David, I’m Linda with Allstate Insurance, calling on a recorded line. How are you feeling today?”

David: “I’m fine, how are you?”

If you say, "I'm fine," their lawyers can use that statement in their case against you to argue later that you weren't seriously injured, even if you were in pain but didn't realize the full extent of your injuries at the time.

Insurance companies have protocols and strategies to minimize payouts. Let’s say that if you do respond that you’re in pain, the insurance company will likely avoid encouraging you to seek medical help because that could lead to medical records to support your claim.

If you don't see a doctor after you're injured, you won't have medical records from a Medical Doctor (MD) who can diagnose your injury. Nurses, firefighters, or police reports can't provide this type of diagnosis.

Remember, anything you say in a recorded statement can be used to undermine your claim for compensation. That’s why it’s recommended that you consult with an attorney first. 

Protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact The Smith Law Center online or call (757) 244-7000 to learn more about what steps you should take following a car accident.

Examples of Settlements & Verdicts We Have Won for Our Clients

You don’t just need a lawyer who knows your state’s car accident laws; you need a legal team with tangible, proven results. 

At The Smith Law Center, we offer exactly that. But don’t just take our word for it—see for yourself the compensation our clients received when they worked with us. The following is just a sample of some of the life-changing compensation we have recovered for our clients in the past: 

• We secured a record $7.5 million verdict for a Hampton, VA, woman who suffered a brain injury because of a car accident. 
• Our team successfully fought a company responsible for our client’s mild TBI caused by an auto wreck and won a $4,750,000.00 settlement.
• The lawyers at our firm achieved a $4,100,000.00 verdict for our Hampton, VA, client who developed a TBI following a car crash. 
• We helped the family of a woman killed in a traffic collision in Richmond, VA, receive a $1,760,000.00 settlement against the U.S. Postal Service.

What Types of Injuries Does a Virginia Auto Accident Attorney Handle?

Here are the most common types of injuries that our Virginia auto accident attorneys regularly handle:

• Traumatic brain injuries: These injuries can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. They can occur when the head is struck or jolted during a car accident.
• Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can be catastrophic and may result in partial or complete paralysis. They can occur when the spinal cord is damaged in a car accident.
• Whiplash: This is a soft tissue injury that occurs when the head is jerked forward and then backward suddenly. It is a common injury in rear-end collisions.
• Broken bones: Broken bones can occur in any type of car accident, especially in high-speed collisions or rollover accidents.
• Internal injuries: These injuries may not be immediately apparent after a car accident, but they can be life-threatening. They include internal bleeding, organ damage, and other injuries that occur inside the body.

A Virginia auto accident attorney can handle a wide range of injuries that result from car accidents, including bicycle collision accidents, and psychological injuries that can cause PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Our attorneys will work with medical experts to fully understand how bad your injuries are and determine the long-term impact they may have on your life. This helps ensure you get the funds necessary for appropriate medical care going forward.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident, it can completely derail your life. You might be feeling hopeless, but you don’t have to do this alone. 

Let the lawyers at The Smith Law Center take the burden off your shoulders so you can look ahead to your healing. Contact us online or call (757) 244-7000 today to take the first steps toward getting the support and compensation you deserve.

What Does a Virginia Auto Accident Lawyer Do for Your Case?

An auto accident lawyer can provide a range of services to help you with your case, including working to:

• Investigate the accident: A Virginia auto accident lawyer can investigate the accident to determine who was at fault. We can gather and save evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and photographs to build the strongest case possible.
• Calculate how much you’re owed: Your attorney can help figure out how much you’ve been hurt, both physically and emotionally, or otherwise. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to the accident. 
• Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies might try to pay you less money than you deserve for your claim. But your lawyer can talk to them for you to make sure you get the most money possible.
• File and take a case to court: If negotiations with insurance companies fail, an auto accident lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf. Our team at The Smith Law Center can represent you in court and fight for your rights in front of a judge or jury.

One of the most valuable aspects of hiring an attorney is that we do all the talking with the other party so that you don’t have to. 

This can help reduce stress and anxiety for you while still making sure your rights and privacy are protected throughout the process. Every task we complete for your case is one less chore you deal with as you heal and return to enjoying your life.

“We’re always ready for trial. Sometimes to get it done, you have to fight harder. With an attorney, you have someone who knows how to stand up for you, negotiate with insurance companies, and make sure you get the money you’re owed.” 

- Attorney David Holt

A Lawyer Makes a Huge Difference for Your Claim

Hiring a lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. 

A 2016 study by Martindale-Nolo found that people who have a lawyer get 4.5 times more money than those who file a claim alone.

Also, the study showed that more than nine out of ten people with legal representation received a settlement or award. In contrast, only about half of those who handled their own claims were successful.

And as shown above, hiring a lawyer can mean the difference between a decent settlement and a much larger reward that truly reflects the harm you’ve suffered. 

Five Reasons to Choose The Smith Law Center

At The Smith Law Center, we understand that there are many law firms to choose from, but we pride ourselves on being different. We don’t just simply represent our clients; we partner with them and always place their goals and priorities above all else.

When you choose The Smith Law Center, you are choosing a brighter and more financially secure future because: 

1. We are one of Virginia’s largest and most successful law firms: Our law firm has a rich history of helping people in Virginia and beyond since 1949. Founded by Joseph Smith and carried on by his sons Stephen and Howard, our family-run firm has been dedicated to supporting victims of negligence for generations.

2. If we don’t win, you don’t pay: Car accidents are expensive, with repairs and medical bills adding up quickly. We strongly believe you shouldn’t have to worry about legal fees on top of that. You only pay if we win your case, so you can recover without added stress.

3. Over a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts: This impressive track record shows that we know how to handle cases to improve your chances of success. When partnering with us, you get peace of mind knowing you’re in capable hands.

4. Record-setting success: We’ve made history with some of the largest verdicts in the region. This includes the biggest slip-and-fall case in Virginia, the largest verdict in South Carolina, and over $60 million for one brain injury survivor—the largest verdict worldwide for that type of case.

5. Experienced team support: Our attorneys are backed by a diverse staff of 28 professionals, bringing over 300 years of combined experience to The Smith Law Center. This strong support ensures that you receive reliable assistance throughout your case.

If you’re ready to learn more about how we’d be a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us online or call us at (757) 244-7000 for a 100% free consultation, where you can get answers to any of your questions at no cost.