Shevlin Smith
Shevlin Smith

Schedule A Free Consultation. Call: 703-634-7350 

Shevlin Smith
EMAIL
CALL

When You Have Been Injured,Your Attorney's Experience Matters

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Individuals And Families Throughout Fairfax, Virginia And D.C.

Last updated on April 9, 2025

A serious injury or the loss of a loved one can create an emotional impact that reverberates through every area of your life. In addition to experiencing feelings of grief, helplessness and anger, you may be facing looming financial difficulties that have the potential to last a lifetime. In these troubling times, Shevlin Smith, P.C., is here to help.

We assist individuals and families who have suffered the harmful effects of negligence, malpractice and wrongdoing. We can work to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions, pursuing financial compensation that can cover medical bills, ongoing treatment, lost wages and even emotional trauma. We’ve built our reputation on credibility and capability, offering personalized, uncompromising legal representation and a proven track record of winning results.

Included In The Best Lawyers In America List

Attorney Michael Shevlin has practiced personal injury law in Virginia and Washington, D.C., for over 30 years. Among his accolades are his selections for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2008 and in Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers annually since 2009.

He and the rest of our team have handled thousands of personal injury claims arising out of a wide range of incidents and obtained several significant settlements. These include the following:

  • $10.35 million for a family injured in a collision with a semi truck with faulty brakes that failed inspection but was nevertheless on the road
  • $925,000 for a cervical spine injury suffered by our client in a car accident, which later required surgery
  • $600,000 for injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident caused by a driver who cut off our client’s motorcycle, caused him to lose control and fled the scene – our client suffered third-degree burns to his leg and foot. We challenged the insurance company’s denial of the rider’s claim and produced a witness who verified the dangerous driver’s existence. The claim settled at the policy limit soon after.

Our Primary Practice Areas

Personal injury law encompasses a wide range of injuries that are caused by negligent or wrongful conduct. In Virginia and Washington, D.C., a person who has suffered such an injury may be able to pursue compensation from the responsible party. We are Fairfax personal injury attorneys with over 70 combined years of legal experience that we use to help the injured recover fair settlements and awards.

Our primary areas of practice in this field include:

We are Virginia personal injury attorneys who understand how daunting the legal process can be. With this in mind, we are capable of handling every aspect of your case, offering compassionate, personalized guidance every step of the way. No matter how complex or serious your case is, we can provide you with the sound legal counsel and uncompromising representation you need. We are happy to sit down with you to discuss the details of your case and work toward the most optimal outcome possible.

We are ready to help you. Begin your case today by scheduling a free consultation.

Contributory Negligence In Virginia

Five states, including Virginia, use a contributory negligence law in considering personal injury cases. It is considered contributory negligence when a plaintiff fails to exercise reasonable care in their safety and the damages were at least in part caused by this. An important thing to consider with this law is that if you are even the slightest bit to blame for the incident, you will not be able to recover any damages whatsoever. An example of this would be if you were hit by a car that ran a stop sign while you were looking in your rearview mirror to comb your hair. Since you were distracted, you could be found partially at fault.

If you are unsure whether any of your actions could be to blame for contributing to the accident, speak to a Virginia personal injury attorney today.

Empowering You With Our Knowledge

We have helped numerous individuals receive fair and just compensation. Knowing where to start can be difficult on your own. That’s why it’s so important to have qualified representation on your side. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., we will strive to educate and prepare you. We want you to know your rights, what legal options are available to you and how to use our knowledge to make the right decisions for you and your family. Below are our answers to a few common questions and concerns that personal injury clients ask.

What is a personal injury lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer is an attorney who provides legal services to those who have been physically, psychologically or economically injured because of the negligence of another person, company, government agency or any other entity. Personal injury lawyers specialize in tort law and civil wrongs that usually involve unintentional misconduct – such as a car accident, dog bite or slip-and-fall – or intentional conduct, such as an assault.

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., we understand what you are going through and will work hard to ensure that you get the justice you deserve. Contact us today for more information from Fairfax personal injury attorneys. We look forward to hearing from you.

How can a personal injury attorney help you?

Having a reputable attorney by your side during this time is essential in providing you with the legal support and guidance that you need. Personal injury claims can be extremely complicated.

An experienced attorney will know the ins and outs of the legal system and will have worked with many individuals facing a similar struggle to yours. Your lawyers will work to try to ensure that you avoid costly mistakes and receive the highest compensation possible for your personal injury claim.

A personal injury attorney will:

  • Take care of the paperwork: There is a great amount of paperwork involved with personal injury cases. Your attorney will handle the paperwork for you to help ensure that everything gets to the appropriate parties at the right time.
  • Save you time and money: A single mistake on your paperwork or throughout your personal injury case process can cost you both time and money. Having an experienced lawyer by your side who knows what they are doing is critical for preventing you from making costly mistakes.
  • Maximize compensation: Your attorney will have the experience necessary to effectively communicate and negotiate with insurance companies and work to try to maximize your compensation.
  • Provide legal guidance: Having access to objective legal advice is crucial during this time. Your attorney will be able to answer any questions that you have regarding the legal concerns of your case and provide you with the guidance that you need.
  • Offer emotional support: Going through a personal injury case can be extremely stressful. Knowing that you have an experienced attorney by your side can help you alleviate stress levels and provide you with the emotional reassurance that you need.
  • Effectively represent you: In the event that you need to go to court, your lawyer will be able to effectively represent you and work to try to ensure that you receive the best outcome possible for your case. Your attorney is truly your best advocate.

When should I reach out to a personal injury attorney?

If you or a loved one has been injured, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. There are deadlines for filing personal injury claims – known as statutes of limitations – and if you miss these deadlines, then you will be unable to pursue legal action against the party responsible for your injuries.

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

For most personal injury cases in Virginia, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. In some cases, such as medical malpractice or wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations may be as short as one year. It is important to speak with an attorney who can determine which deadline applies to your case and take appropriate action accordingly. The sooner you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer, the better.

What constitutes a personal injury case?

The key factor in any personal injury case is negligence. To be successful, you have to show that another party was negligent. Injuries resulting from negligence can happen in many ways. Some of the most common types of personal injury claims are those related to car accidents. Other types of personal injury claims include:

  • Premises liability
  • Medical malpractice
  • Defective products
  • Victims of assault

How can you strengthen your personal injury case?

As with any legal case, the stronger the evidence you have, the greater your chance of success is. It’s important to gather as much information about the accident as possible, such as vehicle registration plates, details of those involved and medical reports that document your injuries.

What type of damages may be awarded in a personal injury claim?

The amount of damages awarded in a personal injury case will depend on several factors. You may be awarded damages for your physical pain and suffering. You can also obtain damages for lost wages and medical expenses. Furthermore, if you have suffered a life-changing injury, you may be awarded damages that take this into account so that you do not have to struggle financially in the future.

Call Shevlin Smith, P.C., Today

You deserve effective and caring legal representation, and at Shevlin Smith, we are prepared to provide this to you and your family. Collectively, we have over seven collective decades of legal experience. We believe that the fight isn’t over until you’re fully satisfied with the result. Call 703-634-7350 or fill out our online form to schedule a free confidential consultation with us.

Our Office

Shevlin Smith, P.C.

3975 University Drive #405
Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: 703-634-7350