If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Richmond or Virginia Beach, you need an attorney who understands Virginia’s contributory negligence law — and knows how to prove the other driver was 100% at fault. Geoff McDonald & Associates has fought for accident victims for more than 30 years and recovered over $400 million for injured Virginians.
Virginia is one of the few states where any fault on your part — even 1% — can bar you from recovering damages. That makes having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side not just helpful, but necessary. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
At Geoff McDonald & Associates, our legal team has been fighting for accident victims’ rights for more than 30 years and helping them recover fair compensation throughout Virginia — including a $1,750,000 recovery for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a rear-end collision, and $860,000 for a motorist struck by a drunk driver. Our Chief Executive Officer, President, and Attorney, Geoff McDonald, has obtained over $400 million for injured clients and is a member of the National Trial Lawyers – Top 100, an organization comprised of the country’s premier trial lawyers.
Contact a Richmond car accident lawyer for assistance with your claim today. We offer free consultations to help explain the legal options that may be available to you, and our lawyers only get paid when we obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Free Consultation. Call 804-888-8888
Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Richmond?
You’ve had a car wreck, but you’re unsure whether hiring a car accident attorney makes sense. You might not need one if the collision was minor and nobody was injured. But if any of the following ring true for you, give Geoff McDonald & Associates a call:
- The driver who hit you is uninsured or underinsured. If you don’t have uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage, your only recourse for compensation is to file a lawsuit.
- You have a previous injury that was worsened by the car accident. The insurance company may refuse to pay by claiming that the injury happened earlier, so covering treatment isn’t its responsibility.
- The insurance company is offering you an unfairly low settlement or refusing to reach an agreement regarding a settlement. If you have a Richmond car accident lawyer to fight for you, it’s possible to negotiate for a larger settlement.
- You think you might be partially at fault for the accident. In this case, you need to hire a car accident lawyer. Virginia follows a pure contributory negligence rule, which states that you can’t recover damages if you’re even 1% at fault for a crash.
- You were the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Virginia. These cases require immediate legal action to identify the at-fault driver and preserve evidence.
Still unsure whether you’d benefit from having a car accident law firm to fight for you? Give Geoff McDonald & Associates a call.
Virginia Car Accident Statistics
From 2019 to 2023, there were nearly 127,600 car crashes in Virginia, 849 of which were fatal. More than 900 people were killed, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, and 7,488 were seriously injured.
Here are some fast facts about car crashes in Virginia from 2019 to 2023:
- One out of 26.3 licensed drivers was involved in an accident.
- One crash occurred every 4.1 minutes.
- There were 2.5 deaths and 175 injuries per day due to crashes.
If you’ve been in a car crash in Richmond or Virginia Beach, you’re far from alone. A personal injury lawyer from Geoff McDonald & Associates is here to help. Call to talk to a Virginia car accident attorney now.
Common Car Accident Locations in Richmond
Richmond and the surrounding metro area see thousands of car accidents every year, with certain corridors accounting for a disproportionate share of serious crashes. The I-95 corridor through Richmond carries the highest volume of truck and passenger vehicle collisions in the state, particularly through the merge points near Chamberlayne Avenue and the I-64/I-95 interchange.
Other high-accident corridors include Midlothian Turnpike, Parham Road, and West Broad Street, where heavy commercial traffic, multiple lane changes, and frequent intersection conflicts contribute to rear-end and side-impact collisions. For a detailed look at crash data, read our analysis of the most dangerous intersections in Richmond.
Geoff McDonald & Associates represents accident victims in Richmond as well as Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and surrounding communities, including Midlothian and Short Pump. Car accident lawsuits in the Richmond area are typically filed in the Richmond Circuit Court at the John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
Car Accident Attorney in Virginia Beach
Geoff McDonald & Associates also represents car accident victims in Virginia Beach and the greater Hampton Roads region from our Virginia Beach office. The I-264 corridor, the Resort Beach area along Atlantic Avenue, and the routes feeding into the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are among the most common locations for serious crashes in the city.
Virginia Beach car accident cases are filed in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court at 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. Virginia’s contributory negligence standard and two-year statute of limitations apply in Virginia Beach exactly as they do in Richmond — if you’ve been hurt in a crash, time is limited to pursue your claim.
Whether your accident happened on Shore Drive, Independence Boulevard, or anywhere else in the Virginia Beach area, our attorneys are ready to help. Call 757-500-8000 to reach our Virginia Beach office for a free consultation.
Understanding Virginia’s Car Accident Claim Laws
If you plan to file a claim against the driver who hit you, you must pay attention to Virginia’s statute of limitations. You must file a claim within two years of the date of the crash. If you don’t, you’ll miss your opportunity to recover damages.
Additionally, as mentioned above, you lose the eligibility for compensation if you’re even slightly at fault for the accident. For example, if the other driver ran a red light but you were speeding when the crash happened, you’d be found negligent and barred from recovering damages.
Virginia is one of only four states — along with Maryland, North Carolina, and Alabama, plus the District of Columbia — that still follows pure contributory negligence. Most of the country uses a comparative fault system where your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. In Virginia, there is no reduction — any fault on your part, no matter how small, eliminates your right to compensation entirely.
Here is what that looks like in practice: if the other driver ran a red light and caused the collision, but the insurance company can show you were traveling 5 miles per hour over the speed limit at the time, they will argue that your speeding contributed to the crash. That argument, if successful, bars your recovery completely. This is why having an experienced car accident attorney is not optional in Virginia — building a case that proves 100% fault on the other driver is the core legal challenge in every claim. To learn more, read our guide to Virginia’s contributory negligence law.
This is why it’s critical to hire a Richmond car accident attorney promptly after your crash. They can help you understand whether you’re partially at fault and file a claim well within the state’s statute of limitations.
What Is the Value of My Car Accident Case?
When making a car accident claim, putting a dollar amount on the injuries, property damage, and other losses you sustained requires a detailed understanding of everything that contributed to the crash with the help of a Richmond car accident lawyer.
Many car accident victims may be eligible to recover the following forms of compensation:
Medical Expenses
These are medical bills you have acquired and may continue to rack up for future treatment of your injuries, such as hospital stays, emergency services, surgical procedures, imaging tests, rehabilitation and/or therapy sessions, prescription medications, follow-up doctor’s appointments, assistive medical devices, and more.
Vehicle Damage
If your vehicle sustained significant damage in the crash, you may be able to recover compensation for the reasonable costs to repair your vehicle, pay for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, or the fair market value of your vehicle if it is a total loss.
Lost Income/Lost Earning Capacity
This includes income you have lost and may continue to lose in the future because your car accident injuries prevent you from working for some time, working in the same capacity as before, or returning to work at all.
Pain and Suffering
These damages include the physical pain and discomfort you may have experienced from the crash, your injuries, as well as your medical treatment. It could even include mental and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, fear, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn more about how pain and suffering in a car accident is calculated.
Loss of Consortium
If the injuries you sustained because of the crash have affected your relationship with your spouse or partner, the affected spouse may be able to recover compensation for loss of physical companionship and support.
While there are no caps on the amount of economic or non-economic compensation you may be able to recover in a car accident claim, Virginia does have a $350,000 limit on punitive damages, which are rarely awarded and are meant to punish the at-fault party for gross negligence or malicious intent.
Filing Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage Claims with a Car Accident Lawyer
When an underinsured or uninsured driver hurts you in an accident, you may be unsure if your damages will be covered. This is a valid concern that should be discussed in greater detail with our dedicated legal team. Learn what to do when an uninsured driver hits your car.
You may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages by filing a claim with your own Uninsured Motorist (UM)/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) insurance company. The required state minimum is $20,000 for property damage, $25,000 per person, and $50,000 per accident.
You must also provide proof to the insurance company that the other driver caused the crash, you suffered injuries related to the crash, and your injuries required medical treatment that resulted in additional expenses.
If your car accident happened while you were working, you may also have a workers’ compensation claim.
A Richmond car accident lawyer at Geoff McDonald & Associates has in-depth knowledge of Virginia auto insurance requirements and other coverage rules that may apply to these types of claims.
Building a Stronger Case for Compensation
To help secure financial compensation, you want to be sure you have the strongest case possible. There are several steps you can take to help protect your well-being and your potential claim. Avoid common mistakes to avoid after a car accident that can weaken your case.
Report the Accident
It is important to report the car accident to the state police or local law enforcement agency as soon as possible if it resulted in injury, death, or property damage. The responding officer will investigate the scene to determine what caused the accident, what damage was done, who may be at fault, and file a police report. This report could help provide detailed information about the accident and be useful in settlement negotiations. Learn more about how to secure a police report for your car accident case.
Preserve Evidence
Evidence could help show that you are not to blame for the crash. If you can, some of the most vital evidence to collect includes photographs and/or video of the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, skid marks, traffic signs, and anything else deemed relevant, as well as contact information from witnesses.
Visit the Doctor
Delaying medical treatment, even if you think your injuries are minor, could be detrimental to your health and cast doubt on the severity of your injuries during the claims process. Visiting a doctor immediately after an accident could help link your injuries to the accident and will create a medical record of your treatment plan.
Communicating With the Insurance Company After a Crash
After a car accident, you should expect to receive a phone call from the other driver’s insurance company. It is important that you are careful with the information you provide them, as anything you say could be used against you. The insurance company’s main goal is to pay out as little money as possible. Know what to do if an insurance adjuster calls you after an accident.
Unlike a lawyer, the insurance adjuster will not have your best interests in mind. Avoid statements such as “I feel fine” or “My injuries are not that bad,” as these could be misconstrued or twisted. The insurance adjuster wants to find evidence that you were at fault for the accident and that your injuries and damages are minor or nonexistent.
Anything you communicate to the insurance company should be brief and honest, sticking only to the facts. Do not volunteer any unnecessary information or agree to have your statement recorded, whether it is in writing or over the phone. Never accept the first settlement offer after a crash without consulting an attorney first.
You should consider referring the insurance company to your attorney, who can deal with them throughout the legal process.
Hidden Injuries Caused By Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a number of serious and often debilitating injuries. However, certain injuries could remain hidden for days or weeks afterward and could become chronic, severely affecting your quality of life. Learn more about hidden injuries from car accidents and why they may be worth more than you think.
Some of these hidden injuries may include:
- Herniated discs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Psychological injuries
Distracted Driving Accidents in Virginia
Virginia’s hands-free driving law, which took effect on January 1, 2021, makes it illegal to hold a phone while driving. Texting behind the wheel is a primary offense, meaning an officer can pull you over for that violation alone. Despite the law, distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of car accidents across the state.
If you were hit by a distracted driver, evidence like the other driver’s phone records, dashcam footage, and witness statements can help prove they were not paying attention to the road. Our attorneys have experience gathering this type of evidence and building cases against distracted drivers. Learn more about distracted driving accidents in Richmond and how dashcams and smartphone videos influence fault determinations.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Virginia
Richmond has the second-highest rate of alcohol-related crashes in Virginia, and drunk driving collisions frequently result in catastrophic injuries. If a drunk driver hit you, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit for damages regardless of whether the driver faces criminal DUI charges. The criminal case and your personal injury claim are entirely separate proceedings — you do not need to wait for a criminal conviction to pursue compensation. Read more in our guide: Can I sue a drunk driver who hit me?
In drunk driving cases, you may also be eligible for punitive damages in addition to your compensatory damages. Virginia caps punitive damages at $350,000 under Va. Code § 8.01-38.1. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault driver for reckless behavior, and they can make a significant difference in the total value of your case. Our attorneys have recovered substantial settlements in drunk driving crash cases, including $860,000 for a client struck by an intoxicated driver.
Car Accident FAQs
How Do I Know If I Have a Car Accident Case?
Each car accident claim is unique, and determining if you have a viable case often requires an attorney to review various elements of the incident including:
- Details from the scene of the accident
- Photographic evidence of the scene, including any visible injuries and property damage
- Police or accident reports filed
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Medical records showing the severity of your injuries
If the car accident was due to another driver’s negligence, our lawyers are prepared to seek maximum compensation for the injuries and damages you have suffered.
How Is Negligence Determined After a Car Accident?
There are four elements of negligence in a car accident case we must be able to prove with evidence:
- The driver owed you a duty of care — Every driver owes other drivers sharing the road a basic duty of care. They must take reasonable precautions to avoid accidents. For example, state law prohibits speeding, tailgating, driving while intoxicated, or texting and driving, as these actions could cause a car crash.
- The driver breached this duty of care — The driver failed to act as any other reasonable person would have done in the same situation. Examples of breach of duty of care include crossing into another lane without signaling, failing to stop at a red light or texting while operating a vehicle.
- Causation — The driver’s negligence must have been both the actual and proximate cause of your injury. The actual cause means if the driver had not failed to exercise reasonable care, you would have been unharmed. The proximate cause means the injury was foreseeable — a reasonable person would think that driving while intoxicated could result in a collision.
- Damages — Any injuries sustained from the accident must have caused you to suffer damages, such as medical bills related to your treatment and recovery or repair bills for damage to your vehicle.
Our qualified lawyers have over two decades of experience building car accident cases and recovering fair compensation.
What If I Am Partially to Blame for the Crash?
Your right to compensation will be affected if you share part of the blame for the car accident.
Under Virginia law, if an accident victim is found to have contributed to the crash or any resulting injuries in any way, even if it is minor, he or she does not have a case. This is known as the pure contributory negligence rule. The other driver must be 100 percent at fault for the victim to be able to recover compensation.
If you have been harmed in an accident and are concerned you may be partially at fault, you should discuss it with a licensed attorney.
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?
If you were hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, the insurance company has professionals who seek to reduce or deny your compensation. By reducing the amount of money they pay out, they increase their profits at your expense. You need a lawyer on your side to level the scales. Learn more about whether you need a lawyer after a no-fault accident.
If Someone Runs a Red Light, Can They Be Sued in Virginia?
Yes. A driver who runs a red light and causes an accident can be sued for negligence in Virginia. Running a red light is considered negligence per se, meaning the violation of the traffic law is itself evidence of negligence. However, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may still try to argue that you contributed to the crash — for example, by claiming you entered the intersection too quickly or failed to keep a proper lookout. Under Virginia’s contributory negligence rule, even a small share of fault can bar your recovery entirely.
An attorney can help gather traffic camera footage, intersection signal timing data, and witness statements to build a strong case that the other driver was solely at fault. Learn more about how fault is determined in a red light accident.
Do I Have a Right to Know the Other Driver’s Insurance Policy Limits?
Yes. Under Virginia law (Va. Code § 8.01-417), you have the right to know the other driver’s insurance policy limits once your documented damages exceed $12,500. At that point, the insurance company is required to disclose the policy limits upon written request.
This matters because the other driver’s policy limits directly affect your settlement strategy. If the at-fault driver carries only the state minimum of $25,000 per person, your attorney may need to pursue your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to recover the full value of your damages. Knowing the policy limits early helps your legal team plan the most effective path to maximum compensation. Learn more about policy limit reporting requirements in Virginia.
How Much Car Insurance is Required in Virginia?
Like other states, auto insurance coverage is mandatory for all Virginia drivers. Most accident victims who recover compensation do so through insurance claims.
All drivers are required to carry the following minimum amount of liability insurance on their vehicles:
- $20,000 for property damage
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people
However, drivers are not required to carry liability car insurance coverage if they pay a $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Once this fee is paid, it is valid for one year, and you are legally allowed to drive an uninsured vehicle at your own risk. Should you cause a crash, you would be liable for any injuries or damages sustained. This could result in significant out-of-pocket costs.
If you are injured in an accident caused by another driver, you may be able to obtain compensation from his or her liability coverage, up to the policy limits.
Our Richmond auto accident lawyers are prepared to review the insurance coverage that may be available for your accident to determine what may be covered.
How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action?
Virginia follows a statute of limitations that sets a strict deadline on the amount of time you have to take legal action. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the car accident, there are different deadlines.
For most personal injuries, car accident victims generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the party that caused the crash. Damage done to a vehicle or other personal property due to a car accident is granted a five-year deadline. If the crash resulted in someone’s death, the family or personal representative has two years from the date of the victim’s death to bring a wrongful death suit.
If you are unsure about your filing deadline, we encourage you to contact a Richmond car accident lawyer. We are prepared to review your claim and determine the legal options that may be available to you.
How Long After a Car Accident Can Injuries Appear?
Some car accident injuries do not show symptoms right away. Whiplash, herniated discs, concussions, and mild traumatic brain injuries may take days or even weeks to become noticeable. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain immediately following a crash, which is why it is critical to see a doctor within 24 hours of any accident — even if you feel fine at the scene. A medical evaluation creates a documented record linking your injuries to the crash, which is essential for your claim. Virginia’s two-year statute of limitations runs from the date of the accident, not the date your symptoms first appear, so acting quickly protects both your health and your legal rights. Read our full guide on delayed car accident injuries.
What Should I Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident in Virginia?
The steps you take in the first 24 hours after a car accident can significantly affect the outcome of your claim. Here is what you should do:
- Call 911 and file a report with the responding officer.
- Document the scene by taking photos of all vehicles involved, visible injuries, skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver.
- See a doctor within 24 hours, even if you feel fine. Some injuries take days to produce symptoms, and a medical record from the day of the crash is powerful evidence.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
- Contact a car accident attorney before accepting any settlement offer. Learn about the top 5 mistakes to avoid after a Virginia car accident.
Can I Sue If a Drunk Driver Hit Me in Virginia?
Yes. If a drunk driver caused your accident, you have the right to file a civil lawsuit for damages completely independent of any criminal DUI charges the driver may face. The criminal case is handled by the Commonwealth’s Attorney; your personal injury claim is a separate civil proceeding where you seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. In drunk driving cases, you may also be eligible for punitive damages, which are capped at $350,000 in Virginia under Va. Code § 8.01-38.1. Punitive damages are designed to punish particularly reckless conduct and send a message of deterrence. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling drunk driving accident claims in Richmond and Virginia Beach. For more information, read our guide: Can I sue a drunk driver who hit me in Virginia?
Contact Our Richmond Car Accident Lawyer for Legal Help
Reaching out to one of our experienced lawyers can be an important part of the recovery process. Geoff McDonald & Associates has obtained millions in compensation on behalf of accident victims for over two decades in the state of Virginia.
We know how insurance companies think and are prepared to handle all communications and negotiations with them as we pursue maximum compensation. The consultation is free and there are no upfront fees if you hire our firm. You only pay us if we successfully help you obtain a recovery.
Our office in Richmond is located less than 10 miles from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.