Reaching out after an injury caused by someone else’s negligence can feel like one more difficult step in an already overwhelming time. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you call — our role is to help you understand your options. Breit Law has represented injured people throughout Virginia Beach and the rest of Hampton Roads for more than 47 years, and getting in touch costs you nothing.
Whether your injury happened recently or you’ve already been dealing with an insurance company or hospital billing department for weeks, it’s rarely too late to have your situation reviewed by an attorney — though the sooner you reach out, the more options are usually available to protect evidence and preserve your claim. Even a short conversation can help you understand whether an offer you’ve already received is fair.
What Happens When You Contact Breit Law
When you reach out, you’ll speak with our team about what happened, the injuries involved, and the information you have so far. We’ll walk you through what a free consultation involves and answer initial questions about the process, including how our contingency fee arrangement works.
If it makes sense to move forward, we’ll begin investigating your case, including identifying evidence that may need to be preserved quickly and understanding what documentation — medical records, incident reports, photos, and witness information — will support your claim.
From there, we manage communication with insurance companies, opposing parties, and their attorneys on your behalf, so you can focus on your recovery rather than fielding calls. As your case develops, we continue building the record needed to support a fair resolution, and if a fair resolution isn’t offered, we prepare to take your case to court.
Throughout the process, we aim to keep communication clear and direct, so you always know where your case stands and what to expect next, without legal jargon getting in the way.
Why Virginia Beach Residents Choose Breit Law
William Breit has practiced personal injury law in Hampton Roads and Pennsylvania for more than 47 years, building a reputation as a trial lawyer who doesn’t shy away from taking a case to court when that’s what it takes to pursue a fair outcome.
We understand the specific challenges Virginia law presents to injury victims, including the state’s strict contributory negligence rule, and we build cases with that reality in mind from the very first conversation. Breit Law handles cases on a contingency basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
William Breit’s father originally started a law firm that trained many of the personal injury attorneys now practicing throughout Hampton Roads, and that deep local history informs how Breit Law approaches every case, from a routine claim to a catastrophic injury matter. Insurance defense attorneys throughout the region are familiar with our firm, and that familiarity can shape how seriously an initial demand is taken.
What to Expect After You Reach Out
Every case moves at its own pace, largely dictated by how long your medical treatment or recovery takes and whether the opposing party is willing to negotiate reasonably. Straightforward claims involving clear liability and a shorter recovery period may resolve within a few months of treatment ending. Cases involving disputed fault, serious or long-term injuries, or a party unwilling to offer a fair amount can take considerably longer, particularly if a lawsuit becomes necessary.
We’ll keep you informed at each stage so the process feels manageable rather than uncertain, and we won’t push you toward a settlement before you’re ready.
How We Meet With You
We understand that after an injury, getting to an in-person meeting isn’t always easy, especially if you’re still recovering or don’t have reliable transportation. Consultations can typically be arranged by phone or video in addition to meeting in person at our Virginia Beach office, so distance or mobility isn’t a barrier to getting the conversation started. If your injuries make travel difficult, let us know and we’ll work out an arrangement that works for you, including a home or hospital visit if that’s genuinely what’s needed.
Personal Injury Risks and Resources in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach’s traffic patterns bring their own risks, shaped by seasonal oceanfront tourist congestion and heavy commuter traffic along I-264. Injury risk shows up in more than just car accidents — crashes are common along I-264 and Independence Blvd, while unsafe property conditions, workplace incidents, and medical errors add further risk beyond the road.
If your injury required emergency care, you may have been treated at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, or transferred to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital’s Level I Trauma Center for more serious injuries. Cases that proceed to litigation are typically filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court, and our familiarity with local procedures helps your case move efficiently.
We regularly handle claims arising throughout Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads area, and our familiarity with local insurance adjusters, defense counsel, and court personnel means we’re rarely starting from scratch when it comes to understanding how a case is likely to be received.
Practice Areas We Handle in Virginia Beach
Car Accident Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Car crashes remain one of the most common causes of serious injury in Hampton Roads, from rear-end collisions on congested commuter corridors like I-264 to multi-vehicle pileups during highway rush hour. Virginia Beach’s mix of residential streets, business corridors, and highway interchanges means these crashes happen in a wide range of settings, and the severity often comes down to speed, vehicle size, and how quickly emergency responders can reach the scene. Virginia’s contributory negligence rule means an insurance company may look for any opening to argue you share some blame, even a small amount, so documenting the scene early matters. We investigate every crash thoroughly, including police reports, dashcam and traffic camera footage, and witness statements, to build a claim an insurer can’t easily dismiss.
Injuries commonly associated with car accidents include:
- Whiplash and other soft-tissue neck injuries
- Herniated discs and spinal cord damage
- Broken bones and joint injuries
- Traumatic brain injury or concussion
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations and scarring from broken glass or metal
Drunk Driving Accident Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Impaired drivers cause a disproportionate share of the most severe crashes on Hampton Roads roads, and Virginia law allows for punitive damages in these cases in addition to standard compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Because a drunk driver is, by definition, driving in violation of the law, these cases often carry less risk of a contributory negligence dispute over who was at fault — though insurers may still try. BAC evidence, field sobriety results, and the responding officer’s report are central to these claims, so we move quickly to preserve them before records age out or footage is overwritten. A criminal conviction isn’t required for you to pursue a civil claim against the driver, and a civil case can move forward even while criminal charges are still pending.
Injuries commonly associated with drunk driving accidents include:
- Severe blunt-force trauma and internal injuries
- Spinal cord injury or paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Multiple or complex fractures
- Wrongful death in the most severe collisions
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD
Medical Malpractice Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
When a doctor, nurse, or hospital falls below the accepted standard of care, patients can suffer harm that was entirely preventable — a missed diagnosis, a surgical error, a medication mistake. Whether the care took place at a Virginia Beach facility or you were treated elsewhere in Hampton Roads, Virginia law imposes specific procedural requirements on these claims, including an expert certification of merit that must be obtained before the case can move forward to service of process. That requirement makes experienced counsel especially important from the very first conversation, since a case built without it can be dismissed on procedure alone, regardless of the underlying facts. We work with qualified, practicing medical experts in the relevant specialty to evaluate whether your case meets that standard before we ever file.
Harm commonly associated with medical malpractice includes:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of a serious condition
- Surgical errors, including wrong-site or retained-instrument errors
- Medication or dosing errors
- Birth injuries to mother or child
- Anesthesia errors
- Failure to monitor a patient’s condition after treatment
Wrongful Death Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
When negligence takes the life of a loved one, Virginia law allows surviving family members to pursue accountability and compensation for their loss, including funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of care, guidance, and companionship. These claims must generally be filed within two years of the death under Va. Code § 8.01-244, and they can arise from a car accident, medical error, defective product, or unsafe property condition. Because a wrongful death claim is brought by the estate’s personal representative on behalf of surviving family members, getting that representative appointed promptly is often one of the first steps. We handle these cases with the sensitivity they deserve, while still moving with the urgency the deadline requires.
Losses a wrongful death claim may help a family recover include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income, benefits, and future financial support
- Loss of the deceased’s care, guidance, and companionship
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Sorrow, mental anguish, and emotional loss suffered by survivors
Trucking Accident Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Collisions involving commercial trucks and tractor-trailers often cause catastrophic injury given the sheer size and weight difference involved, and Virginia Beach’s corridors near Independence Blvd see heavy truck traffic every day. These cases involve federal safety regulations most drivers never encounter, including hours-of-service rules and cargo securement standards, and multiple parties may share liability — the driver, the trucking company, and even a cargo loader. Evidence like electronic logging data, driver qualification files, and maintenance records can disappear or be overwritten quickly if not preserved, so we move fast to secure it before it’s gone.
Injuries commonly associated with trucking accidents include:
- Catastrophic crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury or paralysis
- Severe burns
- Multiple or complex fractures
- Wrongful death
Pharmaceutical Drug Injury Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Defective or dangerously marketed medications can cause serious harm that isn’t always immediately connected back to the drug itself, particularly when symptoms develop gradually or resemble another condition. These cases often require detailed medical and regulatory investigation, including FDA adverse event data and manufacturer safety communications, to establish what went wrong and when the manufacturer knew about the risk. We work with medical and pharmacological experts to trace a patient’s symptoms back to the medication and to build the timeline of what the manufacturer knew and when.
Harm commonly associated with dangerous or defective medications includes:
- Liver, kidney, or heart damage
- Internal bleeding
- Severe allergic or adverse reactions
- Birth defects from prenatal exposure
- Increased risk of stroke or heart attack
- Dependency, overdose, or withdrawal-related harm
Brain Injury Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Traumatic brain injuries can range from a mild concussion to a life-altering disability, often with effects that unfold over months rather than appearing all at once — memory problems, mood changes, or cognitive difficulty that surface well after the initial incident. Thorough medical documentation, including neurological evaluation and imaging, is essential to understanding the true scope of a claim, since the value of a brain injury case is tied directly to how well the long-term impact is documented. We work to make sure a TBI isn’t undervalued simply because it isn’t visible on the outside.
Effects commonly associated with traumatic brain injury include:
- Concussion and post-concussion syndrome
- Memory loss and cognitive impairment
- Mood, personality, or behavioral changes
- Seizures
- Loss of motor function or coordination
- Coma or permanent disability in the most severe cases
Premises Liability Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Property owners who fail to keep their premises reasonably safe can be held responsible for injuries that result, including slip and fall accidents, inadequate security leading to an assault, or other hazardous conditions they knew or should have known about. Virginia law requires showing the owner had actual or constructive notice of the hazard, which makes early evidence — incident reports, photos, maintenance logs, and security footage before it’s overwritten — critical to preserving a strong claim.
Injuries commonly associated with premises liability claims include:
- Fractures to the hip, wrist, or ankle from a slip and fall
- Traumatic brain injury from a fall
- Spinal cord injury
- Injuries resulting from inadequate security
- Dog bite injuries
- Injuries from falling merchandise or objects
Product Liability Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Defective or dangerously designed products injure thousands of consumers every year, whether from a manufacturing flaw, a design defect, or inadequate warning labels. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can all potentially be held accountable depending on where in the supply chain the defect originated. These cases often require preserving the product itself as evidence — before it’s discarded, repaired, or lost — and consulting engineering experts to establish exactly how and why it failed.
Injuries commonly associated with defective products include:
- Burns from defective electronics or appliances
- Lacerations from defective tools or equipment
- Poisoning or illness from a contaminated product
- Choking or internal injury from a defective children’s product
- Crush injuries from defective machinery
Railroad Accident Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
With significant rail traffic moving through Hampton Roads and the Port of Norfolk, railroad-related injuries raise unique legal questions, often involving federal regulations under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) for railroad workers, or ordinary negligence principles for grade-crossing and trespass incidents. These cases can involve railroad companies with substantial legal resources and their own investigation teams, making experienced representation especially important from the outset.
Injuries commonly associated with railroad accidents include:
- Amputation or crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Severe burns
- Wrongful death
Pedestrian Accident Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Pedestrians have little protection in a collision with a vehicle, and injuries are often severe even at moderate speeds, particularly at crosswalks and intersections where driver inattention is a common factor. Virginia’s contributory negligence rule can be especially harsh in these cases, since insurers often try to argue the pedestrian wasn’t in a marked crosswalk or was otherwise partly at fault. We investigate carefully, including signal timing, sightlines, and witness accounts, to protect against that outcome.
Injuries commonly associated with pedestrian accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple or complex fractures
- Internal injuries
- Road rash and lacerations
- Wrongful death
Bicycle Accident Claims in Virginia Beach, VA
Cyclists sharing the road with vehicle traffic face serious risk, particularly at intersections, in door-zone collisions, and on roads without dedicated bike lanes. These cases often turn on careful reconstruction of how the collision occurred — whether a driver failed to yield, passed too closely, or opened a door into a cyclist’s path — and on documenting injuries that can range from road rash to serious orthopedic trauma.
Injuries commonly associated with bicycle accidents include:
- Road rash and lacerations
- Fractures, particularly to the wrist, collarbone, or shoulder
- Traumatic brain injury, especially without a helmet
- Spinal cord injury
- Soft-tissue and joint injuries from the fall
Jury Trial Representation in Virginia Beach, VA
Not every case should settle, and Breit Law’s decades of courtroom experience in Hampton Roads mean we’re ready to take a case in front of a jury when that’s what it takes to pursue the outcome your case deserves. That trial-ready reputation is often what changes how seriously an insurance company negotiates from the very first demand letter, well before a courtroom ever comes into play.
What to Have Ready When You Reach Out
You don’t need everything in hand before contacting us, but if you have them, it helps to gather any incident or police report, photos of the scene or your injuries, insurance information, and the names of any witnesses. If you’ve already received medical treatment, a general sense of your diagnosis and any upcoming appointments is useful — we can help track down full records as your case moves forward.
If an insurance adjuster or opposing party has already reached out, it helps to know whether you’ve given a recorded statement, signed anything, or received a settlement offer, since that context shapes how we approach the next steps in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the initial consultation really free?
Yes. Breit Law offers a free, no-obligation consultation for anyone injured due to another party’s negligence in Virginia Beach.
What should I bring to my consultation?
If you have them, bring any incident or police report, photos, insurance information, and medical records or bills. If you don’t have everything yet, we can help you gather what’s needed.
How quickly will someone respond after I reach out?
We aim to respond to new inquiries promptly, since time can matter both for your health and for preserving evidence.
Do you charge anything if you don’t win my case?
No. Our fee comes from any compensation we recover for you — if there’s no recovery, there’s no fee.
What if I already spoke with the insurance company or opposing party?
It’s common to have some contact before reaching out to an attorney. Let us know what was discussed so we can evaluate how it may affect your claim.
Can you help even if my injury happened somewhere outside Virginia Beach?
Breit Law serves clients throughout Hampton Roads, including Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, in addition to Virginia Beach.
What if I’m not sure whether my injury is serious enough to pursue a claim?
That uncertainty is exactly what the free consultation is for. We’ll listen to what happened and give you an honest assessment, even if that means telling you a claim isn’t likely to be worthwhile.
Will I work directly with William Breit, or will my case be handled by someone else?
William Breit is directly involved in the firm’s cases, bringing decades of Hampton Roads trial experience to each client relationship, supported by staff who assist with day-to-day case management.
What if I was hurt while working, either as an employee or a visitor to a workplace?
Workplace injuries can involve workers’ compensation in addition to, or instead of, a personal injury claim, particularly if someone other than your employer contributed to the incident. An attorney can help sort out which claims actually apply to your situation.
Can I still pursue a claim if I’m unsure exactly who was at fault?
Yes. Part of our investigation is identifying every party who may share responsibility, which is often not obvious right after an incident. You don’t need to have this figured out before reaching out.
Is there a deadline for reaching out after an injury?
Virginia generally gives injury victims two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit, so depending on how much time has passed, you may still have options. The sooner you reach out, though, the more evidence is likely to still be available.
Where are Virginia Beach personal injury cases typically filed?
Most personal injury lawsuits arising in Virginia Beach are filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court, though the right venue can depend on where the defendant is located or where the incident occurred.
Get in Touch Today
You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of an injury alone. Reach out to Breit Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your situation in Virginia Beach.
Call 757-456-0333 or email us through our contact page. Our office is located at 5544 Greenwich Rd STE 100, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, and we serve clients throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads. You can also find us on Google to see reviews from clients we’ve helped.
