After a serious accident, the right local attorney can be the difference between full compensation and fighting the insurance company alone. But how do you find a good one — and why does “local” matter so much? This guide walks through how to choose a qualified accident lawyer near you in Virginia, and where Decker Law fits in. For more than 60 years, we’ve represented injured people across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and all of Hampton Roads. Call 757-622-3317 for a free consultation, 24/7.
WHY A LOCAL ACCIDENT LAWYER MATTERS
The emphasis on local isn’t marketing — it’s leverage. A lawyer who works your jurisdiction knows the regulations that apply, the unwritten rhythms of the local courts, and often the judges and opposing counsel themselves. That familiarity translates into real negotiating strength. And practically, being able to meet your attorney face-to-face builds the kind of trust and clear communication that a case run from three states away can’t match.
Local knowledge matters even more in Virginia, because of one hard rule: the Commonwealth follows pure contributory negligence, meaning if you’re found even partly at fault, you can be barred from recovering anything. A lawyer who knows how these cases play out in Hampton Roads courtrooms knows how to frame fault, marshal the evidence, and protect your claim from that defense. That’s exactly the ground Decker Law has covered for decades.
The right firm knows your local courts, judges, and insurers — not just the law in the abstract. Decker Law has represented injured people across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and all of Hampton Roads for more than 60 years.
A real track record with cases like yours
Not every personal injury lawyer handles many accident claims. Look for specific, relevant experience — and ask about it in a free consultation. It’s the first thing we’re glad to walk you through.
A clean standing with the Virginia State Bar
Any attorney you consider should be in good standing with the Virginia State Bar, with no disciplinary history. Ours are — and we’re happy to point you to how to verify it.
Clear, no-surprise fees
A good accident lawyer works on contingency: you pay a set percentage only if they win, and typically nothing if they don’t. That’s how Decker Law works, so our incentives line up with yours from day one.
Someone you can actually reach
You’ll work closely with your attorney, so communication matters. We’re available 24/7 for a free consultation — by phone, text, chat, or email — and we keep you in the loop at every stage.
WHY HAMPTON ROADS CHOOSES DECKER
We’re truly local
Offices in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and decades of work in the courts across all seven Hampton Roads cities.
We know these courtrooms
The judges, the procedures, the opposing insurers — familiarity we turn into leverage for your case.
Free consult, no fee to win
Talk to us 24/7 at no cost, and pay nothing unless we recover for you.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Jeffrey Partington
A Virginia Beach native, Jeffrey Partington serves clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and business law, and has worked both sides of the aisle. He practices in the courts of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Suffolk.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Martin Thomas, Jr.
Martin Thomas, Jr. focuses on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law, along with contract law and civil litigation. He tries cases in the courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake, and serves on Norfolk City Council.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Joseph Rigney
A Chesapeake native and former prosecutor, Joseph Rigney focuses on personal injury and criminal defense, including traffic law. He tries both civil and criminal cases in the courts of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Martin Thomas
Martin Thomas is the firm’s president and managing attorney, concentrating on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law. He handles multimillion-dollar injury cases throughout Virginia and has been named to Super Lawyers for personal injury.
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Michelle Parker
Michelle Parker concentrates on personal injury, elder law, wills, trusts and estates, litigation, corporate law, and criminal defense. She handles civil, probate, and traffic cases throughout the seven cities of Greater Hampton Roads.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Joel Weintraub
Joel Weintraub has been practicing law for over 40 years and focuses his practice on civil litigation involving disputes between individuals and corporations. Joel’s recent cases involve corporate litigation, personal injury, business law, will and trust contests and interpretation, shareholder rights, and estate administration.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Cole Roberts
A Norfolk native and former Public Defender, Cole Roberts represents clients in criminal defense and traffic matters, from reckless driving and DUI to serious felonies. He has tried numerous jury cases across the seven Hampton Roads cities.
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George Neskis
George Neskis represents clients charged with criminal and traffic offenses — from DUI and reckless driving to felony matters — and also handles personal injury. A former Norfolk Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, he practices across all seven Hampton Roads cities and has been named to Super Lawyers for criminal defense.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Peter Decker, III
Peter Decker, III focuses his practice on criminal, traffic, and personal injury. He regularly practices in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk and Newport News.
MAKE DECKER LAW YOUR HAMPTON ROADS ACCIDENT LAWYERS
If you were hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, the closest thing to a shortcut is a local firm that already knows the terrain. Reach us by text, chat, phone, or email — or call right now at 757-622-3317.
KEEP UP WITH DECKER LAW
December 2 2025
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