1. Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen
Focus Area: Personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, catastrophic injury, product liability, premises liability, pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, nursing home abuse
Background: Founded in 1910 by George E. Allen, the firm has over 115 years of experience in personal injury law. The firm employs more than 40 attorneys and over 100 support staff members. Ten attorneys have been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, and 25 attorneys have been named Super Lawyers. The firm secured the largest single-plaintiff settlement in Virginia history in a workplace explosion case.
Location: 1809 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA 23230
Contact: (804) 836-1170 | https://www.allenandallen.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation with no upfront fees. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
2. Marks & Harrison
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation, workers’ compensation, and Social Security disability
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, dog bites, defective products, slip and fall, nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability
Background: Established in 1911, the firm has represented injured persons throughout Virginia for over 110 years. The legal team includes more than 30 attorneys and 130 support personnel, including former insurance claims adjusters and law enforcement investigators. Marks & Harrison received a Tier 1 Ranking for the Richmond Metro Area in Personal Injury Litigation by U.S. News & World Report. Attorneys at the firm have served as President of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
Location: 1500 Forest Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23229
Contact: (804) 282-0999 | https://www.marksandharrison.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm works on a contingency fee arrangement.
3. Latham & Martin, P.C.
Focus Area: Personal injury and wrongful death
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall, dog bites, nursing home neglect and abuse, medical malpractice, defective products, premises liability, wrongful death
Background: Both partners, Wiley Latham and Kelly Martin, have more than ten years of exclusive practice in plaintiffs’ personal injury law. Both are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Wiley Latham has successfully argued cases before the Virginia Supreme Court and was recognized as a Rising Star by Virginia Super Lawyers in 2016. Kelly Martin achieved the ninth-largest jury verdict in Virginia in 2014 and was named a “Top 40 under 40” attorney by the National Trial Lawyers.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Contact: (804) 823-8484 | https://www.richmondinjurylawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation provided. Contingency fee basis with no upfront costs.
4. River Run Law
Focus Area: Personal injury and accident claims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, premises liability
Background: River Run Law serves clients across Richmond and surrounding areas including Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover. The firm focuses on personal injury representation and helping clients understand their rights after accidents. The attorneys handle all case aspects from investigation through resolution or trial.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Contact: (804) 507-6911 | https://riverrunlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis applies.
5. Wind Law, LLC
Focus Area: Personal injury claims in Central Virginia
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, wrongful death
Background: Attorney Ryan Wind is licensed to practice in all courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia. He is a member of multiple trial lawyer professional organizations at local, state, and national levels. The firm serves clients in Richmond, Mechanicsville, and surrounding areas throughout Virginia.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Contact: (804) 215-1200 | https://www.windinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm operates on a contingency fee structure.
Personal Injury Laws in Virginia
Statute of Limitations
Virginia law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This period begins on the date of injury. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years from the date of death. Missing this deadline generally results in permanent loss of the right to pursue legal action.
Exceptions may apply for minors, who have until their 20th birthday to file, and for individuals declared incapacitated by the court. Medical malpractice claims have additional discovery rules in cases involving fraud, concealment, or foreign objects left in patients.
Negligence Rule
Virginia follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine, making it one of only four states plus Washington D.C. that applies this strict standard. Under this rule, if an injured party is found to bear even 1% responsibility for the accident, they are completely barred from recovering any compensation from the at-fault party.
An exception exists for common carriers such as buses and trains, where contributory negligence may not completely bar recovery if a safety code was violated. The “last clear chance” doctrine may also provide relief in limited circumstances where the defendant had the final opportunity to avoid the accident but failed to do so.
Damage Caps
Virginia does not impose caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Victims may recover full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. However, punitive damages are capped at $350,000 in all Virginia personal injury cases. Punitive damages are rarely awarded and require proof of willful or wanton misconduct.
For claims against local governments, damages are limited to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident.
Auto Insurance Requirements
As of January 1, 2025, Virginia requires all drivers to maintain liability insurance with minimum limits of:
$50,000 per person for bodily injury or death, $100,000 per accident for total bodily injury or death liability, $25,000 per accident for property damage
Virginia eliminated the option to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee as of July 1, 2024. All drivers must now carry liability insurance. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is also required at the same limits as liability coverage.
Virginia operates as an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for an accident bears financial responsibility for resulting damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Virginia’s contributory negligence rule affect my car accident claim?
Virginia’s contributory negligence doctrine means that if you share any fault for the accident, even a minimal amount, you may be barred from recovering damages. For example, if you were slightly exceeding the speed limit when another driver ran a red light and hit you, the at-fault driver’s insurance may argue you contributed to the crash. This strict standard makes it particularly important to avoid admitting fault at accident scenes and to work with an attorney who can challenge attempts to shift blame.
What should I do if I was injured by an uninsured driver in Richmond?
If you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy, you can file a claim through your insurer to recover compensation. Virginia law now requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage, which pays when at-fault drivers lack insurance or assets. As of January 2025, UM/UIM coverage requirements match liability minimums at $50,000/$100,000/$25,000. If you declined this coverage when purchasing your policy, your options may be limited to pursuing the uninsured driver personally.
What types of compensation can I recover in a Virginia personal injury case?
Virginia allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. While there is no cap on compensatory damages, punitive damages are limited to $350,000 and require proof of egregious conduct by the defendant.
How long do I have to file a claim against a Virginia government entity?
Claims against Virginia cities, towns, or counties require written notice within six months of the injury. This notice must include specific information about the nature of the claim and be filed with designated officials. After providing notice, you must wait for the claim to be resolved or denied before filing a lawsuit. Different rules apply to state agencies and federal entities. Failing to meet these strict deadlines typically results in permanent loss of the right to sue.
Can I still recover damages if my medical treatment is ongoing?
Yes, you can file a claim while still receiving medical treatment. Your attorney can work with medical providers to estimate future treatment costs and include them in your demand. Virginia law allows recovery for both past and future medical expenses, as well as projected lost earnings if your injury affects your ability to work. Filing within the two-year statute of limitations is critical, even if your treatment continues beyond that date.