Virginia Personal Injury Laws, Deadlines and Local Guides

Personal injury claims in Virginia

This is the Virginia hub of the Ask Legal Matters injury law guides. It summarizes the rules that apply to every injury claim in the state and links to local guides for 247 Virginia communities, each with pages on car, truck, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, workplace injuries and workers' compensation, medical malpractice and wrongful death.

Virginia gives injured people two years to file most personal injury lawsuits (Va. Code § 8.01-243(A)) and a different deadline for medical malpractice (two years). The state follows contributory negligence: you can be barred from any recovery if the defense proves you were even 1% at fault, which makes early evidence preservation critical. Virginia is an at-fault auto insurance state with minimum liability limits of 50/100/25. Injury cases are tried in the Circuit Court of the county where the accident happened, and work injuries must be reported to your employer within 30 days, in writing (Va. Code § 65.2-600).

Virginia injury law at a glance

Personal injury deadline: two years from the injury (Va. Code § 8.01-243(A))
Medical malpractice deadline: two years (discovery-rule exceptions)
Fault rule: contributory negligence
Auto insurance: At-fault
Minimum auto liability: 50/100/25
Trial court: County Circuit Court
Workers' compensation: Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission
Workers' comp claim deadline: About two years

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Virginia injury guides by county

Every Virginia county has its own page covering the county court, the state rules and every community in the county, large or small.

Largest communities in Virginia

More Virginia city guides: Staunton, VA, Winchester, VA.

Virginia cities with the most fatal crashes, 2019-2023

These Virginia communities recorded the most fatal crashes coded to them in NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 2019 through 2023. Each community page breaks down its own numbers by year, time of day and road.

Virginia claims by injury type

Read the statute of limitations overview for every state for a side-by-side comparison of filing deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Virginia?

Generally two years from the date of injury (Va. Code § 8.01-243(A)). Medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two years, and claims against government entities require a notice of claim much sooner.

What happens if I was partly at fault in Virginia?

Virginia applies contributory negligence: you can be barred from any recovery if the defense proves you were even 1% at fault, which makes early evidence preservation critical.

Is Virginia a no-fault state?

No. Virginia is an at-fault state; the negligent driver's liability insurance (minimum 50/100/25) is the primary source of compensation.

Where are injury lawsuits filed in Virginia?

In the Circuit Court of the county where the accident happened or where the defendant resides. Claims against out-of-state companies may be removed to federal court.

How do I find a personal injury lawyer near me in Virginia?

Choose your county or community below for local information, or click the free claim review button; your request may be shared with independent attorneys and legal services partners who handle inquiries in Virginia.

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Ready to share what happened in Virginia?

Click here for a free claim review — submit accident details

Ask Legal Matters is a lead-generation service, not a law firm. Submitting a request does not hire an attorney. Review the contact consent and privacy policy on the form before submitting.