Virginia’s Eastern Shore stretches along a narrow peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, connected to the rest of Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
When someone is seriously injured on the Eastern Shore, whether in a drunk driving crash, a boating accident, or any other type of injury caused by someone else’s negligence, they deserve a law firm with the experience and resources to fight for fair compensation.
Recovering from a serious injury is hard enough. Navigating an insurance claim, or a lawsuit, while you are hurt, out of work, and dealing with mounting medical bills makes it even harder. Insurance companies know this, and they use that pressure to their advantage.
The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC has represented seriously injured victims on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and throughout the Hampton Roads region for decades.
Cases We Handle on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
Serious accidents happen across Accomack and Northampton Counties every year including on the highway, on someone else’s property, and on the water. Our attorneys handle a full range of personal injury cases for Eastern Shore residents and visitors, including:
- Car accidents and motorcycle accidents
- Commercial vehicle and tractor-trailer accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall and other premises liability
- Boating, fishing, and other accidents on the water
- Drunk or impaired driving accidents
- Dog bite and attack injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Whether your accident happened in Chincoteague, Onancock, Nassawadox, Cape Charles, or anywhere in between, we are prepared to help.
Why Choose the Serpe Firm
Recovering from a serious injury is hard enough. Navigating an insurance claim, or a lawsuit, while you are hurt, out of work, and dealing with mounting medical bills makes it even harder. Insurance companies know this, and they use that pressure to their advantage.
Attorney Richard J. Serpe has spent more than 40 years representing seriously injured victims, including clients from the Eastern Shore. He holds an advanced degree in maritime law, giving him specialized knowledge that most personal injury attorneys simply don’t have when it comes to accidents on the water.
Mr. Serpe is recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers and has built a reputation as a meticulous, tenacious advocate who is fully prepared to take a case to trial when insurers refuse to negotiate in good faith.
Attorney Ashley E. Strandjord handles serious injury cases with the same depth of preparation and genuine care for clients. She is licensed to practice law in both Virginia and Maryland, and can help victims injured anywhere on the Eastern Shore.
She is known for keeping clients informed and supported at every stage, and for building the kind of thorough case record that produces results, whether at the settlement table or in the courtroom.
We are not a high-volume law firm and limit the number of cases we accept. That means your case receives the personal attention, investigative resources, and legal strategy it deserves.
At the Serpe Firm, you’ll get:
- Decades of first-hand experience and knowledge
- Personalized attention and responsive communication
- Thorough case preparation to maximize recovery
- No legal fees unless we win your case
What to Expect When You Work With Us
We make the first step easy. When you reach out to the Serpe Firm, you’ll receive a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
We’ll listen to what happened, review the circumstances of your accident, and determine if we are the best lawyers for your case. If we move forward together, here’s what to expect:
- Investigation: We gather evidence like police and incident reports, medical records and bills, witness statements, photographs, and any other documentation that supports your case.
- Managing the Insurance Process: We handle all contact with insurance adjusters so you are shielded from pressure tactics, lowball offers, and other strategies designed to wear you down.
- Building Your Case: We take the time to fully understand your injuries, your treatment trajectory, your lost income, and the long-term impact on your life before we begin negotiating. Settling before that picture is clear can shortchange your recovery.
- Resolution: We negotiate hard for the outcome you deserve and most cases settle. If the insurer refuses to be reasonable, we can take your case to court.
What Compensation May Be Available to You
After a serious accident, Virginia law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for the full scope of their losses.
Depending on the facts of your case, that may include:
- Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and follow-up treatment
- Ongoing medical expenses and future care needs
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- Physical pain and suffering
- Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
Virginia Statute of Limitations (Legal Deadlines)
Under Virginia law, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. If that deadline passes without a filed lawsuit, you will generally lose the right to pursue compensation permanently, no matter how serious your injuries are.
In certain circumstances, this deadline can be shorter. Don’t wait to speak with an attorney. The earlier you get legal guidance, the better protected your rights will be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to come to your office in Norfolk?
Not necessarily. We work with Eastern Shore clients remotely throughout much of the case process. We can also make arrangements to come to you. Distance should never be a barrier to quality legal services and justice.
What if a family member was killed in the accident?
Virginia law provides a wrongful death cause of action for the surviving family members of someone killed through another’s negligence. These cases involve distinct legal requirements. Our attorneys have handled wrongful death cases and can guide your family through this process.
How long will my case take?
It depends on the complexity of your injuries and the parties involved. Some claims resolve within months through negotiated settlement. Cases involving severe or permanent injuries, or insurers who refuse to negotiate fairly, can take longer.
Accidents on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
U.S. Route 13 is the spine of the Eastern Shore, and one of its most dangerous roads. Route 13 is the only continuous north-south corridor on the peninsula, which means it carries everything: local passenger vehicles, motorcycles, delivery traffic, and a constant stream of heavy commercial trucks.
High speeds, limited passing opportunities, and frequent access points from side roads create conditions where serious accidents happen often.
Because the Eastern Shore sits between the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the Delaware state line, Route 13 functions as a major north-south transit corridor for the entire Mid-Atlantic region. So tractor-trailers, flatbeds, tankers, and charter buses share the same lanes as everyday drivers making short local trips.
In the warmer months, tourists are heading to Virginia Beach, Outer Banks, and Ocean City, while truckers moving freight travel up and down the coast year-round.
Boating and waterway accidents require specific legal knowledge. The waters surrounding the Eastern Shore see significant recreational and commercial boating activity. Maritime law adds complexity that not every personal injury attorney is equipped to handle.
Our Clients Say It Best
“Richard was incredibly kind and patient throughout the whole process. He and his team kept us updated every step of the way. The result was more than we expected. My family highly recommends Richard’s firm.” – Google Review
“Mr. Serpe and staff were compassionate, dedicated, and attentive to my situation. Thank you for going to great lengths in assisting me and my family with a favorable outcome.” – Google Review
“I really enjoyed working with him and felt he had my best interest at heart. I would recommend him to anyone who needs help recovering from an auto accident.” – Google Review
Eastern Shore of Virginia Personal Injury Attorneys
If you or a family member was seriously injured on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC is ready to evaluate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Call or text 757-233-0009, use our chat, or email us to get started.
