Car Accident Attorneys in Virginia Beach, Virginia

January 1, 2026 / Comments Off

1. Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, P.L.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, hit and run accidents, drunk driving accidents

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, uninsured motorist claims

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Huffman & Huffman has served Virginia Beach residents since 1973, providing over 50 years of legal representation. The firm is family-owned with more than 150 years of combined experience among their attorneys. The firm has represented tens of thousands of families in the community. They handle cases throughout the Hampton Roads area.

Location: 4780 Euclid Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Contact: https://www.huffmanhuffman.com/areas-we-serve/virginia-beach-personal-injury/car-accident-lawyer/

Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no payment until they win)

2. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, maritime injuries, premises liability

Background: The firm’s attorneys have been recognized as Super Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Lawyers of Distinction, and Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia. Cooper Hurley focuses exclusively on personal injury cases and does not represent insurance companies. The firm has achieved multiple seven-figure results in settlements and jury awards. They serve Virginia Beach and the greater Hampton Roads region.

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Contact: https://cooperhurley.com/virginia-beach-injury/

Consultation: Free consultation, offers free guide “7 Secrets To Getting Better Results in Your Car Accident Case”

3. Tronfeld West & Durrett

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, medical malpractice

Background: The firm serves Virginia Beach and surrounding areas including Kempsville, Oceanfront, and Princess Anne. Their attorneys have extensive trial experience in Virginia courts. According to their case evaluations, settlements range from $21,000-$42,000 for minor injuries (Level I), $59,000-$160,000 for moderate injuries (Level II), and $198,000-$525,000 for severe injuries (Level III).

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Contact: https://twdinjurylaw.com/virginia-beach/car-accident-lawyer/

Consultation: Free consultation, no legal fees unless compensation is recovered

4. Rutter Mills Injury Lawyers

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, maritime injuries, workers’ compensation, daycare injuries

Background: Rutter Mills has served Virginia for over 60 years and has been recognized locally and nationally by clients, peers, and media. The firm is based in Norfolk and Newport News with attorneys who serve clients throughout Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina. Their team includes more than a dozen lawyers with comprehensive experience in Virginia personal injury law. They have particular expertise in maritime and water-related injuries due to their Hampton Roads location.

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia (offices in Norfolk and Newport News)

Contact: (757) 777-7777 | https://www.ruttermills.com/virginia-beach/

Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7

5. Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, medical malpractice, railroad injuries (FELA), brain injuries

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries

Background: The firm was established in 1985 and focuses exclusively on injury law (“All we do is injury law” is their slogan). Their attorneys have decades of experience in personal injury law and maintain numerous 5-star Google reviews. They handle railroad accidents under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for railroad workers injured in the eastern United States.

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia (serving Virginia and North Carolina)

Contact: https://www.hsinjurylaw.com/

Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained)

Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Virginia

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under Virginia Code § 8.01-243. For wrongful death claims, the clock starts on the date of death, not necessarily the date of the accident.

Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Five years from the date of the incident under Virginia Code § 8.01-243.

Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: Virginia is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages. Victims pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance company or through a personal injury lawsuit. Virginia does not have mandatory PIP coverage.

Comparative Negligence Rules: Virginia follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine, which is one of the strictest fault systems in the nation. If you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. Only Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama, and the District of Columbia still follow this rule. This makes it critical to have experienced legal representation to establish that you bear no fault.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. Property Damage Liability: $20,000. Alternatively, drivers may pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee to the DMV, but this does not provide any insurance coverage.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: Virginia does not require PIP coverage. Drivers cannot turn to their own insurance for injury claims by default and must pursue claims against the at-fault driver.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Regulations: Virginia requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in amounts equal to their liability limits. This coverage protects you if hit by an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage is recommended but not mandatory.

Damage Caps: Virginia does not impose caps on compensatory damages (economic or non-economic) in most personal injury cases. Medical malpractice cases have a cap on total damages that increases each year. Punitive damages are capped at $350,000 under Virginia Code § 8.01-38.1.

Dram Shop Liability Laws: Virginia has limited dram shop liability. Licensed alcohol vendors are generally not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons. Liability may exist if alcohol was sold to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor.

Vicarious Liability Rules for Vehicle Owners: Virginia does not follow a broad vicarious liability rule for vehicle owners. Owners are generally not liable for accidents caused by permissive users unless negligent entrustment can be proven.

Rental Car and Rideshare Accident Liability Rules: Rideshare companies must maintain liability coverage during active rides. Virginia requires rideshare companies to carry $1 million in liability coverage when drivers are transporting passengers.

Reporting Requirements: Accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 must be reported to the Virginia DMV within 5 days. Accidents involving injury or death must be reported to law enforcement immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for filing a car accident injury claim in Virginia?

In Virginia, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is established by Virginia Code § 8.01-243. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins on the date of death. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this period, the court will dismiss your case. Claims against government entities may have shorter notice requirements. Given Virginia’s strict contributory negligence rules, it is critical to consult with an attorney promptly to investigate the accident and preserve evidence that establishes the other party’s sole fault.

How does Virginia’s contributory negligence rule affect my car accident case?

Virginia is one of only five jurisdictions in the United States that follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine. Under this rule, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. Insurance companies and defense attorneys will aggressively look for any evidence that you contributed to the accident, such as minor speeding, distracted driving, or failure to take evasive action. This makes Virginia among the most challenging states for personal injury plaintiffs. Having an experienced attorney who can thoroughly investigate and establish that you bear no fault is essential to recovering compensation.

Where are car accident lawsuits filed in Virginia Beach?

Car accident lawsuits in Virginia Beach are typically filed in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, which handles civil matters including personal injury cases with damages exceeding $4,500. For smaller claims, cases may be filed in General District Court. Virginia Beach is an independent city (not part of any county), which is a unique feature of Virginia’s governmental structure. The Virginia Beach courts are familiar with local traffic patterns, common accident locations, and local insurance practices. An attorney experienced in the local court system can navigate the procedural requirements effectively.

What types of compensation can I recover in a Virginia car accident case?

In Virginia car accident cases where the other party is entirely at fault, you may recover economic damages including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases, families may recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. Virginia does not cap compensatory damages in standard personal injury cases. Punitive damages are available in cases of particularly egregious conduct but are capped at $350,000.

What should I do if the at-fault driver in my Virginia Beach accident is uninsured?

Virginia requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which protects you if you are injured by an uninsured driver. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you can file a claim under your own UM coverage. Your UM claim is handled similarly to a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, and you must still prove that the other driver was entirely at fault under Virginia’s contributory negligence rules. If the at-fault driver has insurance but insufficient coverage to pay for your damages, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can make up the difference. Virginia is unique in that drivers can pay a $500 fee to drive legally without insurance, meaning uninsured drivers are more common than in other states.