Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Richmond, Virginia
The firms in this guide
1. Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, impaired driving accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, bus accidents, boating accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation coordination
Background: Founded in 1910, the firm has over 40 attorneys with more than 700 years of combined experience. Nine attorneys recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Attorney Derrick Walker elected Parliamentarian of the American Association for Justice. Attorney Bridget Long elected Chair of the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus for AAJ. Multiple attorneys hold Super Lawyers designations. The firm has secured record-setting results including a $47.5 million single-plaintiff settlement (largest in Virginia history), a $42 million workplace explosion settlement, and a $24 million wrongful death recovery.
Location: 1809 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA 23230
Contact: (866) 388-1307 | https://www.allenandallen.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained), available at office locations or client’s home/hospital
2. Marks & Harrison
Practice Focus: Car accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, dog bites, nursing home negligence
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability benefits
Background: Established in 1911 with over 100 years of continuous operation. The firm employs 32 personal injury attorneys and over 130 support personnel including former insurance claims adjusters, law enforcement investigators, and research attorneys. U.S. News & World Report has named Marks & Harrison a Tier 1 firm in personal injury litigation for over 10 years. Multiple attorneys listed in Best Lawyers in America. Richmond Times-Dispatch readers voted the firm “Best Law Firm in Richmond” for eight consecutive years. Notable results include $12 million truck accident recovery and $11 million truck accident settlement.
Location: 1500 Forest Avenue, Room 100, Richmond, VA 23229
Contact: (804) 282-0999 | (800) 283-2202 | https://www.marksandharrison.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement, 24/7 availability, available at 14 office locations throughout Virginia or at client’s home/hospital
3. Emroch & Kilduff
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic 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, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, premises liability, medical malpractice
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, third-party liability claims
Background: Founded in 1970 with over 50 years serving Virginia clients. The firm maintains a headquarters in Richmond and has developed extensive experience in complex personal injury matters. Attorneys have represented clients in federal and state courts throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
Location: 7301 Forest Avenue, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23226
Contact: (804) 358-1568 | (888) 358-1568 | https://emrochandkilduff.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement, available by appointment
4. Latham & Martin, P.C.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, nursing home neglect, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, defective product injuries, premises liability, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical record gathering, evidence preservation, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Attorney Wiley J. Latham IV is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. He has successfully argued cases before the Virginia Supreme Court. In 2016, Virginia Super Lawyers recognized Mr. Latham as a Rising Star (awarded to no more than 2.5% of licensed attorneys in Virginia). Attorney Kelly Martin is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, achieving the ninth-largest jury verdict in 2014.
Location: Richmond, VA (contact for specific address)
Contact: (804) 821-0090 | https://www.richmondinjurylawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free no-obligation consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Blank & Marcus, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, defective products
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, drunk driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, paralysis cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: The firm has been serving Virginians since 1951. Attorney Keith Marcus and partners have recovered over $100 million for clients across Virginia. The firm prepares every case for trial rather than just settlement, which insurance companies recognize during negotiations. The firm handles serious injury cases throughout Virginia and is known for accepting cases that other firms decline.
Location: Richmond, VA (contact for specific address)
Contact: (804) contact via website | https://www.blankmarcus.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Commonwealth Claims, Seat Belt Evidence and Death Claim Distribution for Richmond Car Crashes
A Richmond car crash claim against the Commonwealth, such as one over a state employee’s driving, follows Virginia’s own notice rule and recovery limit. State law also bars use of a seat belt violation in the civil case, sets the liability minimums by policy date, and decides who shares a wrongful death recovery.
Claims Against the Commonwealth
Under Virginia Code 8.01-195.3, the Commonwealth is liable for an employee’s negligence within the scope of employment as a private person would be, without punitive damages or prejudgment interest, up to $100,000 for claims accruing on or after July 1, 1993, or the limits of any applicable liability policy, whichever is greater. Under 8.01-195.6(A), a written statement of the claim with the time, place and agency must be filed within one year after accrual, and for a Department of Transportation claim the notice is filed with the Commissioner of Highways.
Seat Belt Violations in Court
Under Virginia Code 46.2-1094(D), a seat belt violation is not negligence, is not considered in mitigation of damages, is not admissible in evidence and may not be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for damages arising from the operation of a motor vehicle. Under (C), the violation carries a $25 civil penalty, and under (F) an officer may not stop a vehicle for it.
Liability Minimums by Policy Date
Under Virginia Code 46.2-472, owner’s policies effective from January 1, 2022 to before January 1, 2025 carried at least $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $60,000 for two or more persons and $20,000 for property damage, and policies effective on or after January 1, 2025 must carry at least $50,000, $100,000 and $25,000.
Who Shares a Wrongful Death Recovery
Under Virginia Code 8.01-244(B), the personal representative brings the action within two years after the death. Under 8.01-53(A), the award is distributed to the surviving spouse, children and children of a deceased child, with parents included if, within 12 months before the death, they regularly received support or services from the decedent for necessaries; if there is no spouse, child or grandchild, it goes to the parents, siblings and dependent household relatives.
Richmond Car Accident Questions
What happens if I was partly at fault?
Virginia allows contributory negligence as a complete defense. In O’Neill v. Windshire-Copeland Associates (2004), the Supreme Court of Virginia answered in the affirmative a certified question asking whether a plaintiff’s contributory negligence is available to the defendant as a complete defense, even where the defendant’s building code violation was negligence per se. A driver whose own negligence helped cause the crash can lose the whole claim, so ask counsel how the defense applies to the facts. The court also noted that children under 14 are presumed incapable of contributory negligence.
How long do I have to sue the other driver?
Two years after the cause of action accrues for personal injury under Virginia Code 8.01-243(A), and five years for injury to property under 8.01-243(B). A negligence claim against the City of Richmond has an earlier deadline: under Virginia Code 15.2-209, a written statement of the claim with the time and place of the injury must be filed with the city attorney, chief executive or mayor within six months after accrual, unless one of them or the city’s insurer had actual knowledge of the claim within that time, and the section does not change the city’s sovereign immunity.
Does my policy cover an uninsured driver?
Yes. Under Virginia Code 38.2-2206(A), a motor vehicle liability policy must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, at limits equal to the liability limits unless a named insured rejects the additional coverage above the 46.2-472 minimums.
Is there a cap on punitive damages?
Yes. Under Virginia Code 8.01-38.1, total punitive damages against all defendants may not exceed $350,000, and the judge reduces a larger verdict to that amount.