Personal Injury Attorneys Near Me

When you or a loved one is injured in an accident, finding a trusted personal injury attorney near you can make all the difference. You need someone who understands your community, has experience navigating Virginia’s legal system, and is committed to helping local families rebuild their lives.

At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys near me law firm brings over 75 years of combined experience to personal injury cases throughout Winchester and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley. Our firm has recovered more than $100 million for people just like you, and we’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why Local Experience Matters in Personal Injury Cases

You’ve seen the billboards and ads for out-of-town firms, but there’s no substitute for a personal injury lawyer who knows your roads, your courts, and your community. When you work with a personal injury lawyer in or near Winchester, VA, you benefit from:

Familiarity with local judges and court procedures
Relationships with area medical providers and accident investigators
Knowledge of traffic patterns on I-81, Route 50, and Route 522
A convenient office just a short drive from Strasburg, Berryville, and Stephens City

Being local also means we can meet you at your home or hospital if your injuries make travel difficult.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have spent decades representing individuals and families throughout Winchester and the Shenandoah Valley. We understand that no two injuries are alike, and each case deserves personal attention and a tailored legal approach. Whether your injury occurred on a busy Winchester highway or a quiet neighborhood street, we’re here to help.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common personal injury claims we handle. Rear-end collisions on Valley Avenue, intersection crashes on Berryville Pike, and high-speed wrecks on I-81 can all leave victims with serious, life-altering injuries. From broken bones and whiplash to traumatic brain injuries, we work with clients to document every aspect of their harm and fight for the compensation they need to recover. We also help victims of hit-and-run accidents and uninsured drivers navigate their legal options.

Truck and Big Rig Accidents

Crashes involving large commercial vehicles, like 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and delivery trucks, tend to result in catastrophic injuries due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles involved. Winchester’s proximity to major trucking routes, such as I-81 and U.S. Route 11, makes our community especially vulnerable. We investigate every aspect of these crashes, including driver fatigue, maintenance failures, cargo loading mistakes, and FMCSA violations. Our firm knows how to stand up to powerful trucking companies and their insurers.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists have every right to the road, but they’re often overlooked or disrespected by other drivers. Even when wearing a helmet and following traffic laws, riders can be seriously hurt by careless or distracted drivers. We help injured motorcyclists recover damages for road rash, fractures, spinal injuries, and other devastating harm. Roads like Route 7 and Route 50, as well as the scenic byways of the Shenandoah Valley, can be particularly hazardous for riders during busy travel seasons.

Wrongful Death

When a family loses someone due to negligence, whether in a car crash, workplace accident, or product failure, the emotional and financial impact is overwhelming. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost future income, and the loss of companionship and support. Our personal injury attorneys offer compassionate legal representation during this incredibly difficult time, making sure your loved one’s legacy is honored and justice is pursued.

Work Injuries

If you were injured on the job, especially in construction, manufacturing, or agriculture, you may have more than just a workers’ compensation claim. If a third party, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, contributed to your injury, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit. We help clients identify all liable parties and maximize their recovery beyond what traditional workers’ comp benefits may provide.

Product Liability

Dangerous or defective products can cause serious injuries in the home, at work, or on the road. Whether it’s a faulty set of brakes, a malfunctioning power tool, or a contaminated pharmaceutical drug, manufacturers and distributors must be held accountable when their products harm consumers. We investigate design flaws, manufacturing errors, and inadequate warnings or labeling. Our firm has the resources and experience to take on large corporations in complex product liability cases.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

A personal injury attorney advocates for individuals who were harmed due to someone else’s negligence. That includes a wide range of accidents and injuries. At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, our personal injury lawyers near you handle the following:

Investigation and Case Evaluation

We start with a free consultation to understand what happened and assess your legal options. If we take on your case, our team will immediately begin investigating the facts. That includes reviewing police reports, speaking with witnesses, analyzing photos and video footage, and consulting with medical and accident reconstruction experts.

Preserving and Gathering Evidence

Personal injury claims are only as strong as the evidence behind them. We ensure that critical information is preserved before it can be lost or destroyed, including vehicle damage, medical records, electronic logging data from trucks, and surveillance footage.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies may pretend to be on your side, but their goal is often to settle quickly and cheaply. We handle all communications with insurers to protect you from tactics designed to delay, deny, or underpay your claim. Our Winchester, VA personal injury attorneys push for fair and full compensation that reflects the actual value of your losses.

Building a Case for Compensation

Whether your injury involved a car crash, a slip and fall, or a defective product, we build a comprehensive case that clearly shows how the other party was negligent and how their negligence impacted your life. This includes documenting medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any future damages you may face.

Negotiating a Settlement, or Going to Trial

Most personal injury claims are resolved through settlement, but we never assume that’s where your case will end. We prepare every case as if it’s going to court, which gives us leverage in negotiations and ensures we’re ready if litigation becomes necessary. If your case goes to trial, we’re experienced, aggressive litigators who know how to present a compelling argument to the jury.

Keeping You Informed

We believe in transparency and communication. Throughout the legal process, you’ll receive regular updates, answers to your questions, and honest advice about your options. You’ll never be left in the dark about what’s happening or where your case stands.

What Must You Prove in a Virginia Personal Injury Case?

Even though Virginia law allows individuals who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim, winning these claims isn’t automatic. You must meet specific legal requirements and follow strict procedural rules. Our personal injury lawyers near you help clients throughout the Shenandoah Valley understand their rights and face the challenging legal system with confidence.

Personal injury cases in Virginia are governed by the laws of negligence. To prevail, you must establish all four elements of negligence. Each of these must be proven with clear and convincing evidence:

Duty of Care

The first step is showing that the person or entity responsible for your injury owed you a duty of care. This means they had a legal obligation to act in a reasonably safe and responsible manner. For example:

Drivers must follow traffic laws and avoid distractions.
Property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors.
Employers must provide a safe working environment.
Manufacturers must ensure their products are safe for consumer use.

This legal duty varies depending on the relationship between the parties and the nature of the activity involved.

Breach of Duty

Next, you must prove that the defendant breached their duty through negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior. A breach might involve:

A driver running a red light or texting behind the wheel
A property owner ignoring a broken handrail or slippery floor
A trucking company skipping required maintenance checks
A business selling a product that lacks adequate safety warnings

The key question is whether the defendant failed to act as a reasonable person would under the circumstances.

Causation

It’s not enough to show that someone was careless; you must prove that their breach of duty directly caused your injuries. Virginia law looks at two types of causation:

Actual Case (Also Known as “Cause in Fact”): But for the defendant’s actions, the injury would not have occurred.
Proximate Cause: The injury must have been a foreseeable result of the defendant’s actions.

This step is often hotly contested in personal injury cases, especially when the defense tries to shift blame or argue that another factor caused your harm.

Damages

Finally, you must demonstrate that you suffered real, measurable damages as a result of the accident. This can include:

Medical expenses (both current and future)
Lost income or diminished earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life

At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, our local Winchester personal injury lawyers work with medical professionals, economists, and vocational experts to fully document your losses and fight for a fair valuation of your claim.

The Role of Contributory Negligence

Virginia follows a stringent rule known as contributory negligence, which bars an injured person from recovering any compensation if they are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident. This is one of the most unforgiving negligence standards in the country, and it’s why having a seasoned personal injury attorney from our firm is essential.

Insurance companies often try to exploit this rule by shifting even minimal blame onto the victim. Our attorneys understand these tactics and know how to push back with clear evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis to protect your right to recover damages.

How We Prove Your Personal Injury Case

Building a successful personal injury claim in Virginia requires more than just stating your injuries; it requires clear documentation, persuasive argumentation, and familiarity with court procedures.

At our firm, we:

Gather police reports, witness statements, and video evidence
Work with accident reconstructionists and medical experts
Communicate directly with insurance companies to avoid bad faith tactics
Prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, even if it ultimately settles

We leave no stone unturned when it comes to protecting your future.

Virginia’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

Under Virginia law, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your claim may be permanently barred, no matter how serious your injuries are.

Some exceptions may apply, such as:

Minors – The clock typically starts on the child’s 18th birthday.
Delayed Discovery – In rare cases, the time limit starts when the injury is discovered.
Claims Against the Government – Require earlier notice, sometimes within months.

Don’t wait. The sooner you contact the personal injury attorneys near you at our Winchester law office, the sooner we can preserve evidence and protect your right to compensation.

Why Choose Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers

There’s a reason why so many clients throughout Winchester, VA and the Shenandoah Valley turn to our firm for help after a serious accident:

75+ Years of Combined Experience: Attorneys Stephen and Andrew Skinner lead a team with decades of experience handling challenging personal injury cases.
Proven Results: We’ve recovered more than $100 million for clients in West Virginia and Virginia.
Big Firm Experience, Local Dedication: Stephen represented 9/11 victims in New York. Andrew is a U.S. Army veteran who worked for a national firm. Now, they bring that knowledge home to help local clients.
We Treat You Like Family: We keep our caseloads low so we can focus on personalized service. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.
Community Focus: Our Winchester office serves the entire Shenandoah Valley, including Strasburg, Front Royal, Woodstock, and beyond.

Reach Out to Our Personal Injury Attorneys Near Me Law firm Today

The sooner you take action, the stronger your case will be. Let our Winchester personal injury attorneys put their experience to work for you. We’re proud to serve individuals and families across the Shenandoah Valley. Call us today at (540) 888-8888 or visit us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.