Portsmouth Personal Injury Attorney

Portsmouth residents are familiar with the daily rhythm of life here. People commute to work on busy highways, drop off their kids at school, shop at local stores, and visit healthcare providers throughout the city. 

The area's naval heritage means that many work at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard or serve at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, while others pursue careers in education, healthcare, retail, and other industries that keep the community thriving.

This daily life feels safe and familiar until an injury changes it. A distracted driver runs the red light at High Street and Effingham Street, one of Portsmouth's most dangerous intersections. Someone slips on an unmarked wet floor at a Midtown shopping center. A patient suffers harm during medical treatment due to a doctor's mistake.

When any of these situations happen to you, your focus shifts from work schedules and family obligations to emergency room visits, specialist appointments, and how to pay bills during your recovery.

For over 70 years, area residents have turned to Smith Law Center when they need a Portsmouth personal injury lawyer. When you've suffered injuries due to someone else's negligence, we work to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and the impact this injury has on your daily life.

Call Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 or reach out online to arrange your free case review with a Portsmouth personal injury lawyer.

"They made a confusing, stressful process feel manageable, and they fought for every dollar I deserved." 

— Linda Gervin, Smith Law Center Client

Results That Matter

Linda Gervin's accident left her dealing with serious injuries, medical appointments, and mounting bills. Like many injury victims in Portsmouth, she needed help securing fair compensation.

Watch Linda's full story about how Smith Law Center helped her during her case. Her experience reflects the dedicated representation we provide to clients throughout the city facing similar situations.

Why People Call a Portsmouth Personal Injury Attorney

Portsmouth is home to military families, working professionals, retirees, and students who depend on local roads, businesses, healthcare providers, and property owners to maintain reasonable safety standards. Yet injuries happen regularly in places where people should feel secure.

Smith Law Center often hears from people after accidents like these:

• A sailor stationed at Naval Station Norfolk injured in a rear-end crash on I-264 during evening rush hour,
• A retired shipyard worker who slipped on a wet floor at a High Street grocery store with no warning signs posted,
• A Portsmouth nursing home resident who fell due to inadequate supervision and care,
• A family driving to Portsmouth Naval Medical Center struck by a drunk driver at the Victory Boulevard intersection, or
• A construction worker hurt when a defective power tool malfunctioned at a Midtown job site.

Many of these accidents seem straightforward at first. But when you file an injury claim, insurance companies look for ways to shift blame. Virginia's contributory negligence rule allows them to deny compensation entirely if they can prove you were even slightly at fault.

Virginia's Contributory Negligence Law

Virginia follows one of the strictest rules in the country for injury victims. Under this statute, if you're found to be even 1% responsible for your accident, you can't recover any compensation from the other party. This means even the slightest contribution to an accident can completely bar your claim.

Insurance companies understand how this law affects your case. They may look for ways to assign partial fault to you, even when the other party was responsible for the accident. For example, they might argue that the sailor was speeding slightly when another driver ran a red light and hit them, or claim that the retired worker should have noticed the water on the floor despite there being no warning signs.

Portsmouth personal injury attorneys at Smith Law Center help clients handle cases under Virginia's contributory negligence standard. We work to build strong cases that demonstrate the other party's complete responsibility for your injuries.

After an accident, insurance adjusters often contact you quickly, requesting recorded statements. While this might seem routine, these conversations can significantly impact your case under Virginia law.

Before speaking with an insurance adjuster, get legal advice that protects your claim. Call (757) 244-7000 or contact a Portsmouth personal injury attorney at Smith Law Center to set up a no-cost consultation.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Portsmouth

Locals in Portsmouth lead active lives, commuting to work at the naval base, enjoying the waterfront, and visiting local businesses. When injuries happen in these everyday activities, we're here to help.

Our Portsmouth personal injury lawyers represent clients harmed by negligence in situations like:

• Motor vehicle crashes involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles on Portsmouth highways;
• Pedestrian and bicycle injuries from vehicle strikes or unsafe road conditions;
• Commercial vehicle collisions with delivery trucks, tractor-trailers, and work vehicles;
• Slip and fall injuries at retail stores, restaurants, parking lots, and office buildings;
• Property hazards, including broken steps, inadequate lighting, and unsafe walkways;
• Medical malpractice from surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and treatment mistakes;
• Birth injuries caused by negligence during labor and delivery;
• Nursing home neglect resulting in falls, infections, or inadequate care;
• Catastrophic trauma, including brain injuries, paralysis, and severe burns; and
• Wrongful death cases when negligence results in fatal injuries.

According to a Martindale-Nolo survey, people who hire personal injury lawyers receive settlements that are, on average, 3.5 times larger than those who represent themselves. The survey also found that attorneys help clients avoid common mistakes that can reduce compensation or eliminate claims entirely.

What a Personal Injury Claim Covers in Portsmouth

When people in Portsmouth ask what their injury case might be worth, the answer depends on factors that insurance companies often overlook. Your claim's value extends beyond emergency room bills to include every way the injury affects your life, both now and in the years ahead.

Our Portsmouth personal injury law firm pursues compensation for:

• Emergency care, surgeries, and follow-up treatment;
• Physical therapy, prescriptions, and medical devices;
• Transportation costs for medical appointments;
• Home modifications for permanent disabilities;
• Lost wages from time away from work;
• Future loss of earning capacity if you can't return to your job;
• Pain and suffering from your injuries;
• Emotional distress or trauma; and
• Funeral costs in wrongful death cases.

We fight for justice and fair compensation that reflects what you've actually lost and what you'll need going forward, whether that means negotiating with insurance companies or taking your case to trial.

"The most important thing we can do for our clients is listen to how this injury has affected their lives. Medical bills and lost wages are just the beginning. We want to make sure they receive compensation that truly addresses the full impact of what happened to them."

— Howard Smith, Managing Partner ⎹ Smith Law Center

See What Our Clients Have Recovered

That commitment to fighting for justice has helped Portsmouth families rebuild their lives after devastating injuries. These victories secured futures and provided peace of mind when families needed it most.

$14.6 Million Motorcycle Accident Settlement

A Virginia woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury when a defective tire caused her Harley Davidson to crash received this settlement from the motorcycle dealer and tire manufacturers. The case settled two days into trial, ensuring she would receive the lifelong care and financial security needed after her cognitive abilities were permanently affected.

$12.3 Million Record Slip & Fall Verdict

A Virginia resident who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a slip and fall at Miller Mart received this record-breaking verdict in Virginia history. The award ensures lifelong medical care and financial security for someone whose cognitive abilities were permanently affected by the store's negligence.

$7.5 Million Car Accident Recovery

A Portsmouth mother who suffered life-changing injuries in a rear-end crash on London Boulevard received this settlement. The recovery covered multiple surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and allows her to support her children without returning to work before she was ready.

Portsmouth locals trust Smith Law Center because we get results that change lives. When insurance companies see our name on a case, they know we're prepared to fight for every dollar our clients deserve, just like we fought for justice in these cases.

Local Portsmouth Resources for Injury Victims

Those living in Portsmouth who are recovering from accident-related injuries can find support through local organizations that provide therapy, counseling, and rehabilitation services during recovery.

Emergency Medical Care

• Portsmouth Naval Medical Center (emergency services for military families and retirees)
• Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center (full-service hospital with 24/7 emergency department)

Urgent Care Options

• Patient First Urgent Care Portsmouth (walk-in treatment for non-life-threatening injuries)
• NowCare Urgent Care Portsmouth (treatment for minor injuries and illnesses)

Rehabilitation Services

• Bon Secours Maryview Outpatient Rehabilitation (physical, occupational, and speech therapy)
• In Motion Physical Therapy at Maryview (orthopedic rehab, post-surgical recovery, and sports injury treatment)
• Pivot Physical Therapy Portsmouth (individualized injury rehabilitation programs)
• Select Physical Therapy Portsmouth (physical therapy and workplace injury rehab)

Mental Health Support

• Hampton Roads Community Services (free and low-cost trauma counseling)
• Portsmouth Community Services Board (sliding scale mental health services)
• Portsmouth Family YMCA (wellness programs and stress management classes)
• Local churches offering pastoral counseling and community support

Vehicle Services and Documentation

• Portsmouth Police Department (local accident reports)
• Virginia State Police (reports for highway collisions)
• Local auto body shops (repair estimates and insurance documentation assistance)

Smith Law Center can help connect you with these resources while handling your legal case. Time is also important when it comes to your legal rights. Virginia law requires personal injury lawsuits to be filed within two years of the date of your injury. Missing this deadline means losing your right to seek compensation.

Talk With a Portsmouth Personal Injury Attorney Today

For over 70 years, Smith Law Center has represented injury victims throughout Virginia. Our firm has recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, including the largest slip-and-fall verdict in the state's history.

Portsmouth residents turn to Smith Law Center for proven results and a track record of securing fair compensation. If you've suffered injuries due to someone's negligence, call us at (757) 244-7000 or send us a message online to speak with our Portsmouth personal injury attorneys about your case.