Portsmouth, VA, Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can be life-altering events, leaving individuals with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and emotional distress. Whether you're dealing with the aftermath of a crash on I-264, a busy intersection in Midtown, or a side street in Olde Towne, you deserve trusted legal guidance from a team that puts your future first.

Contacting a car accident lawyer in Portsmouth, VA, can help you take back control of your situation and pursue the full and fair compensation you're entitled to.

At Smith Law Center, we've successfully represented injured Virginians from all walks of life—people like Nancy Harris, who sustained a life-altering brain injury after her car was struck by a commercial truck.

Need legal guidance after a crash? Call (757) 244-7000 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Portsmouth, VA, car accident lawyer.

Types of Collisions We Handle in Portsmouth, VA

Over the past 70+ years, we've seen virtually every type of vehicle accident. Our team handles a wide range of crash-related injury cases in Portsmouth, VA, including:

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents make up nearly 29% of serious injury crashes. Often caused by distracted driving or following too closely, these impacts may result in spine, head, or back trauma requiring long-term treatment. We help you recover the costs tied to your injuries, rehab, and time away from work.

DUI Accidents

Driving under the influence continues to be a persistent (and preventable) cause of severe injury and death across Virginia. Our team pursues justice for DUI-related crashes with a focus on accountability, full compensation, and long-term recovery for victims.

Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists are especially vulnerable in a crash. We've represented riders with fractures, road rash, and traumatic brain injuries, even when wearing helmets. Our firm understands these cases often require extra care to prove liability, especially in hostile traffic environments.

T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions

These crashes often occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield or runs a red light. The impact on the side of a vehicle can cause broken bones, brain injuries, or internal damage, especially for passengers sitting on the struck side. These cases often involve disputed fault and require a detailed investigation.

Head-On Collisions

Among the most dangerous car accidents, head-on collisions frequently result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. Common causes include drowsy driving, distracted driving, or impaired driving. Our firm has handled numerous high-impact cases with complex liability and serious, life-altering outcomes.

If you've experienced one or more of the above scenarios, Smith Law Center is here to guide you from investigation through litigation and negotiation. When Linda Gervin was nearly killed in a traumatic accident, our team fought for her future and secured an $8 million settlement.

Don't Give a Recorded Statement Without Legal Representation

After an accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you quickly, asking for a recorded statement. While they may sound helpful, their goal is usually to minimize the company's financial responsibility.

You are not required to give a recorded statement. Doing so without a Portsmouth, VA, auto accident attorney could damage your case.

Even innocent comments like "I'm okay" or "I didn't see them coming" can be used out of context to deny compensation. Let our lawyers handle communications with the insurer so you don't have to.

Call (757) 244-7000 to speak with a Portsmouth, VA, car accident lawyer before giving any statements.

"The insurance company already has its team. We believe you should have one just as strong—someone who's done this before and knows what to push for. It's a different kind of fight when you're dealing with life-changing injuries."

—Stephen M. Smith, Founder of Smith Law Center

A Portsmouth, VA, Auto Accident Attorney Can Help You Prove Fault

Under Virginia law, you must prove that another party was responsible for your crash to recover compensation. This is known as "pure contributory negligence," and it means even a small percentage of fault on your part could prevent recovery.

Proving the other party's negligence involves four essential elements:

• Duty of care. The other driver had a legal obligation to drive safely and obey traffic laws.
• Breach of duty. They failed to meet that obligation. For instance, by texting while driving or running a red light.
• Causation. Their actions directly caused the crash.
• Damages. You suffered measurable harm, like injuries, hospital bills, or emotional trauma.

An experienced auto accident attorney in Portsmouth, VA, will collect and present evidence that supports your version of events. That may include:

• Police reports,
• Traffic camera or dashcam footage,
• Eyewitness statements,
• Vehicle data (black box info),
• Phone records, and
• Expert crash reconstruction.

To recover compensation, we must prove your claim is "more likely true than not." Our Portsmouth, VA, car accident law firm has extensive experience in building persuasive, well-documented personal injury claims that adhere to Virginia's strict legal standards.

The sooner you speak to a Portsmouth, VA, car accident attorney, the more time we have to collect evidence, consult experts, and act before deadlines close in. Call (757) 244-7000 or contact us online to request a free case evaluation.

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Portsmouth?

The most common car accident injuries we encounter include:

• Neck and spinal injuries,
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs),
• Head trauma and concussions,
• Internal injuries, and
• Chronic pain and loss of mobility.

At Smith Law Center, our attorneys have distinguished themselves specifically in brain and spine injury cases—areas recognized as complex and medically nuanced.

What Compensation Can a Portsmouth, VA, Car Accident Attorney Help You Recover?

A successful claim can provide financial support for:

• Medical expenses for hospitalization, surgery, rehab, and follow-up care;
• Lost wages, including income from missed work or future earning capacity;
• Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional;
• Exceptional damages in cases involving reckless behavior or DUI; or
• Wrongful death compensation for the loss of life, funeral expenses, and lost household contributions.

Our goal is always to pursue a settlement that reflects the actual cost of the accident, not just what the defendant or their insurance company is willing to offer. A national survey by Martindale-Nolo found that car accident victims who hired an attorney received settlements nearly three times higher than those who pursued claims on their own.

That's why experience matters. At Smith Law Center, we don't just calculate what's already happened—we work with specialists, economists, and medical experts to understand how the injury will affect your life moving forward. In short, we fight for the whole picture.

Why Choose Smith Law Center After a Crash?

Here's what sets our Portsmouth, VA, car accident lawyers apart:

• One of the largest personal injury firms in Virginia and on the Peninsula;
• Over $1 billion secured in verdicts and settlements;
• Backed by neuroscience education and national recognition in brain injury law; and
• Proven in court—but always prepared to negotiate on your behalf.

We don't take shortcuts, and we don't treat you like just another claim. You'll have the full weight of our team behind your case, from the day you call to the day your case is resolved.

Call (757) 244-7000 today to schedule a complimentary consultation, or send us a message and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.