PRO

Licensed for 41 years

Car accident Lawyer at Virginia Beach, VA
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking Accident ... +3 more

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Richard

Biography

Any person in need of a personal injury lawyer has a tremendous number of choices, so an important question is - what makes me, Rick Shapiro, different or unique from other practitioners that would warrant a prospective client taking time out of their busy schedule to reach out for representation? Well, I believe my background, skills, and actual trial experience help set me apart from the competition. In September 2023, I was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted nationwide, I was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board, certifying civil trial attorneys across the U.S. I was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.

A relentless personal injury trial attorney, I was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. Successful American inventor & product designer (18 U.S. patents). Amazon best-selling thriller author. During my three-decade career, I have won personal injury client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the federal 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, underscoring my trial achievements. In addition, my law firm has won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million dollars. On the successful TN Supreme Court appeal, I worked tirelessly for seven years to achieve victory for our client. When you consider hiring your personal injury lawyer, reputation, integrity, and track record all matter.

While attending the University of Maryland at College Park, where I obtained a government and politics degree, I was lucky to get a job on Capitol Hill as an intern. I was then offered a full-time job as a staff assistant for a U.S. Congressman. Learning how legislation really gets rolling, along with interacting with constituents, was great training for later becoming a lawyer.

While I was working on Capitol Hill, I decided to apply to law school and try to become a lawyer. I was accepted to George Mason Law School located in Northern Virginia. I graduated in the top 5 percent of my class and wrote a law review article that was published in the George Mason Law Review. I also worked part-time but still managed to pile up student loans (which took forever to repay).

I also heard about how it was a great experience to obtain a clerkship for a federal judge, so I put out a bunch of applications and ended up becoming a law clerk to a federal judge in Norfolk Virginia, my hometown. I spent a year, with pay, as one of Federal Judge Robert Doumar’s law clerks and saw great (and some bad) trial lawyers in court in both civil and criminal cases every week. This was great training.

By 1993, I was exclusively doing personal injury law. I am now licensed to practice in North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, DC, but actually handle personal injury litigation in nearly every state across the eastern United States by associating with other attorneys licensed in those states. I also applied for and am now honored to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

I have been involved in all kinds of personal injury and wrongful death trials, including car wreck cases, trucking cases, railroad injury and derailment, chemical and toxic spill cases, etc. In many instances, my seriously injured client’s case settles at or just before a jury trial, because if I do a good job for my client, the defendant pushes hard to settle their case rather than face a jury.

I have also been an officer of the Railroad Section of the American Association of Justice, the largest nationwide civil trial injury lawyer network, and remain involved in the motor vehicle, trucking, and railroad sections. Since 2006, I have been writing and editing personal injury law blog articles on Legal Examiner, which is the largest injury law blog in the country. I focus on important safety issues in the Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Northeast North Carolina regions. Over the years, I have lectured to other personal injury lawyers on a national basis, in Virginia, and in the state of Georgia. I have been asked by organizations to speak on topics of injury law as well as evidence law.

One of the things that really motivates me as an injury lawyer is helping people who are clearly being taken advantage of by a corporation or by a claims adjuster. Believe me, I have lots of examples. I have had cases where a claims adjuster strings along an injured person, and then springs the statute of limitations defense on them after it is too late. On several occasions, I was able to figure out how to file the suit in a different state (with a longer statute) and “revive” my client's claim. On other occasions, I have had potential clients call me and tell me that another lawyer turned their case down. I’ve taken many cases that other lawyers have refused and later settled the cases for substantial sums of money for (grateful) clients. Doing a good job means thinking about your client's case not only when you're in the office, but when you're home on the weekend, surfing the Internet on some other topic, or even when taking a shower. My job does not have any defined hours.

Also, I am a prolific inventor. I hold 18 United States patents (the patents cover “fold flat” wagons, carts, jogging strollers, etc. ) and I was granted patents in South Africa and Australia. I signed license agreements with several companies, including Radio Flyer, which licensed my folding wagon handle patent. I believe I am one of the only injury lawyers in the US who invent/design products and actively practice injury law. It provides a unique perspective. Also, I am a published fiction author, having written a No. 1 Amazon bestseller, Taming the Telomeres, and the acclaimed follow-up, Targeting the Telomeres.

I am proud of being a lawyer and especially proud of being a trial attorney. We have a framed poster in our law office reception area with the title: Where Would We Be Without Lawyers?” and it shows the nation’s “founding fathers” in an artist’s rendering with an empty silhouette for 35 of the famous faces--yes, 35 of the 55 framer’s of the Constitution were lawyers, and 25 of our nation’s presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, were lawyers. Part of my duty as an attorney is to stand between corporations, insurance companies, and government attempts to limit or wipe out the ultimate check and balance: the courthouse and our jury system. I am a strong believer in the US jury system as our system allows juries to decide important civil justice issues. The US jury system is vastly more important to our government system than most people realize and one of my roles is to see that the jury system is not eroded and that judges always recognize that most civil disputes should be resolved by juries if they can not be settled before trial.

Based in Virginia Beach, I am ready to serve clients throughout Hampton Roads -- Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk -- as well as the communities of Virginia's Eastern Shore and northeastern North Carolina.

Rick Shapiro has over 38 years total experience, and only handles personal injury law. He was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly, and he has won client personal injury appeals before the VA, NC, SC, WV & TN Supreme Courts, & 3 times in the US Court of Appeals. Free Consults.

Rick Shapiro has over 38 years total experience, and only handles personal injury law. He was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly, and he has won client appeals before the VA, NC, SC, WV & TN Supreme Courts, and 3 times in the US Court of Appeals. Free Consults.

Rick Shapiro has over 38 years total experience, and only handles personal injury law. He was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly, and he has won client personal injury appeals before the VA, NC, SC, WV & TN Supreme Courts, & 3 times in the US Court of Appeals. Free Consults.

Our firm represented a brain injured gas station worker and won a 60 million dollar verdict (including interest) and the case was settled on appeal. Rick Shapiro has over 38 years total experience, and only handles personal injury law. Named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

Rick is a U.S. inventor/product designer who holds 18 US patents and brings this experience to analyzing any potential product defect case. He has over 38 years total experience. He was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly.

Rick Shapiro has over 38 years total experience, and only handles personal injury law. He was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly, and he has won client personal injury appeals before the VA, NC, SC, WV & TN Supreme Courts, & 3 times in the US Court of Appeals. Free Consults.

Practice Areas

Car Accident 25%

I have handled hundreds of motor vehicle injury cases, including car/pedestrian/bicycle cases and pedestrians struck by cars. Licensed in VA, NC, WV, DC.

41 years | 150 cases

25%

Personal Injury 20%

Exclusively handling personal injury law (car, truck, railroad, brain injury, medical errors, industrial injuries, toxic-occupational diseases, faulty products) for the last 16 plus years of my practice, and roughly estimate that 10% of my personal injury work is personal injury/wrongful death representation. I am licensed in VA, WV, NC, DC and with co-counsel have handled injury litigation throughout the Southeastern US. Published author on injury law.

41 years | 300 cases

20%

Trucking Accident 20%

Trucking and commercial truck and van cases are challenging and our firm has handled truck cases throughout the southern and eastern USA. Some cases involved permanent brain injuries suffered when smaller cars were struck by trucks or 18 wheelers.

41 years | 25 cases

20%

Medical Malpractice 15%

We have handled and tried many medical malpractice cases, and actively receive referrals from lawyers who do not specialize in this area of the law. We have settled or tried cases with millions of dollars paid in such resolved cases.

26 years | 20 cases

15%

Brain Injury 10%

Our firm obtained the (then) largest verdict ever in Virginia on a brain injury case, in the year 2000, and since that time we have handled and resolved numerous major cases involving TBI (traumatic brain injuries) to our clients.

26 years | 10 cases

10%

Defective and Dangerous Products 10%

Being an inventor and product designer assists greatly in evaluating the right cases. We provide free consultations.

41 years | 10 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Contingency

33%-45%

Awards

2010

Licenses

Licensed in District of Columbia for 29 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 1996

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in North Carolina for 29 years

State: North Carolina

Acquired: 1996

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in West Virginia for 29 years

State: West Virginia

Acquired: 1996

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Virginia for 41 years

State: Virginia

Acquired: 1984

Active

No misconduct found

See All Attorney Licenses See Less Attorney Licenses

Location

Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

4705 Columbus Street, No. 304, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462

HSInjuryLaw.com

Message Get Directions

Law Offices of Richard N Shapiro

101 Eaton Street, Mill Point Center, Hampton, VA, 23669

HSInjuryLaw.com

Message Get Directions

Law Offices of Richard N Shapiro

440 Monticello Avenue, Suite 1800, Norfolk, VA, 23510

HSInjuryLaw.com

Message Get Directions

Law Offices of Richard N Shapiro

355 Crawford Street, Seventh Floor, Portsmouth, VA, 23704

HSInjuryLaw.com

Message Get Directions

Law Offices of Richard N Shapiro

434 North Main Street, Suffolk, VA, 23434

HSInjuryLaw.com

Message Get Directions

Law Offices of Richard N Shapiro

8 Juniper Trail, Suite 7, Kitty Hawk, NC, 27949

HSInjuryLaw.com

Message Get Directions

See All Locations See Less Locations

Gallery

Online Presence

Other places you can find Richard online.

Richard N Shapiro's Reviews

Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

5.0 /5.0

13 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(10)

Lawyers.com

5.0

(3)

See client reviews from Lawyers.com

5 star

(10)

4 star

(0)

3 star

(0)

2 star

(0)

1 star

(0)

Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo

Posted by Kevin | March 23, 2022 | Consulted Attorney

Attorney

Exhaustively detailed to each and every fact in a large case but also able to to see the bigger picture. These unique skills provide great results for his clients. Mr. Shapiro is both well known and highly respected by the defense bar and this fact is yet another reason that Mr. Sharpiro's clients ...have such success.

See Full Review Collapse Review

Posted by anonymous | April 3, 2011

Fought the Insurance Company for My Brain Injured Son

My son developed post-traumatic stress disorder after a large farm truck forced our car off the road and into a telephone pole. We also suspect he had a brain injury from the crash, but the truck driver's insurance company would only offer to pay for medical treatment for the physical injuries he had... treated at an urgent care clinic. When we finally decided to take the insurer to court three years later, Rick Shapiro agreed to represent us. Mr. Shapiro fought for my son and me, getting the company to agree to a fairer mediated settlement and then getting a judge to approve the agreement. The money went into an account my son can access when he turns 18. The fund also pays for the tutoring that has become necessary due to the aftereffects of the accident. I was very impressed with Mr. Shapiro's kindness and respect. His staff was also very professional and went out of their way to make us feel at ease. I highly recommend Mr. Shapiro to any injury victim who needs an attorney they can trust. I know he will give every case the attention it deserves, regardless of the complexity of the legal issues, because he did that for me and my child.

See Full Review Collapse Review

Posted by Arthurt | December 31, 2010

Richard was There When I Needed Help the Most

Dear Rick, I would like at this time to thank you and your staff, for the thoughtfulness and caring, that you showed me in what was the low point of my life. My first visit to your office was right after my first chemo treatment, which was right after I had been told that I had mesothelioma an...d that without treatment I had six months to a year to live. So you can see that the first visit to your office was all important and it was! Because I left with a good feeling that I might be able to leave something to take care of my wife and children. This you were able to do within one year. During that time you treated me as if I was the only case you had, "I was one of many." You built a very strong case, which showed when the rubber hit the road and it really showed at settlement time. I feel that you and my doctors have really done me proud. Here it is the start of the second year and my last report was very good. Now, thanks to you, I will be able to take care of my family. This is one hell of a team that I have! I would like to say one more time, a big thank you to you and everyone in your office, for being so nice to me. Thank you all.

See Full Review Collapse Review

Posted by Anna | December 17, 2010

Rick Shapiro was passionate about getting justice for my husband

I am so happy with the outcome of our case against CSX Railroad, which resulted in an $8.6 million verdict. Our attorneys, Rick Shapiro and Sidney Gilreath [TN counsel] were so passionate about this case and it certainly came across in the courtroom during the trial. They worked extremely hard f...or us throughout these past five years and believed in our position with so much conviction, but they were also very sensitive to my husband's condition, especially the last few weeks of his life. I don't know if all attorneys work this hard for their clients, but Mr. Shapiro...dedicated so many hours to this case and I and my family will be forever grateful to them. This verdict was so important because it brought to light the realization that many big corporations put profits above providing safe working conditions, proper training and furnishing protective clothing and equipment to their employees. They are great attorneys and a credit to their profession. If I ever need an attorney in the future, you can be assured I will be calling Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Gilreath.

See Full Review Collapse Review

Posted by EK | July 1, 2010

Great Lawyer Who Treated Me with Dignity and Kindness

Mr. Shapiro and his staff were always very kind and courteous to me. Roz, Mr. Shapiro's paralegal, was sympathetic to my situation and understanding of my injuries. She and his legal assistant Meg always returned my calls promptly as did Mr. Shapiro. I tripped and suffered injuries due to a construct...ion area that was not marked properly. I had a favorable settlement and my case was handled promptly. I would recommend Mr. Shapiro and his staff to other persons who have a personal injury and need help with their situation as I did.

See Full Review Collapse Review

See All Client Reviews

1 2 Next › Last »

Richard N Shapiro's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Richard

Andrew Stover

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend and endorse Rick. Rick genuinely cares about and gets results for his clients."

Paige Ferros

Personal injury lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Brandon Bybee

Car accident lawyer | Mar 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A few years ago I was one of the opposing counselors on a case with Rick. Both then and now he is a zealous advocate for his clients, and an excellent attorney. I recommend Rick to anyone in need of excellent legal representation."

Michael Waddington

Personal injury lawyer | May 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Richard. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Gregory Sandler

Personal injury lawyer | Jan 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Rick for many years, and he has deserved a reputation for being a talented plaintiff's injury lawyer."

John Sammons

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Rick for a number of years through our mutual involvment in the American Association for Justice's Railroad Law Section, a national organization composed of attorneys representing injured railroad workers and their families. I have had the honor of co-presenting a legal seminar to that organization with Rick and we have shared information and ideas on numerous occassions over the years. I have found Rick's knowledge and insight extremely helpful and I consider Rick to be one of the top railroad/FELA attorneys in the Eastern United States."

Joseph Miller

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Rick Shapiro is one of the leading litigators in his region, if not the country. Rick and I first got to know each other through the American Association for Justice and Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys organization were he has been an active and contributing member for years. Later, Rick's firm associated with our firm in the New Orleans Metro Area to act as co-counsel in a Louisiana railroad injury case under FELA. The case went to trial in August of 2011 where I was able to observe Rick's diligence and competence first hand, and the trial resulted in a verdict over 1.5 million dollars. Highly prepared, and always motivated to work his tail off for the client are the best way to describe Rick! I hope I can work with him again soon!"

Francis Hajek

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Rick and I have been friends and colleagues for 30 years. For many years, we worked together and I was continually impressed by Rick's dedication to his personal injury clients and their cases. He always gives 100% and as a result, he has had tremendous success in obtaining significant settlements and verdicts for his personal injury clients. Recently, Rick obtained a multimillion dollar verdict in a railroad/FELA personal injury case involving occupational exposure to radioactive materials. He has also served as designated counsel to a major rail union, a public recognition of his expertise in FELA law. Rick is very active in trial lawyer organizations and has lectured other personal injury lawyers on trial practice and tactics."

Benjamin Glass

Personal injury lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Rick for many years. He is a terrific personal injury and maritime attorney. I would highly recommend that you talk to him first if you think you may have a case."

James Lewis

Personal injury lawyer | Feb 29

Relationship: Co-worker

"Rick is one of the best lawyers I know. He has a tireless work ethic and a knack for thinking out of the box. He also has a sterling reputation in the legal community. He is recognized as a Virginia "Super Lawyer" and one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by U.S. News & World Report. He is a fantastic attorney."

Diane McNamara

Personal injury lawyer | Mar 24

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Rick and I represented a mutual client in a matter where he handled the personal injury/product liability claim and I handled the workers' compensation claim. Rick achieved excellent settlement results in the personal injury/product liability case, and he was careful to work closely with me with respect to the workers' compensation lien to assure protection of the ongoing workers' compensation claim. I have since referred other clients to Rick for similar assistance, and will continue to do so in the future for his quality work, as well as his pleasant, cooperative demeanor."

Mark Baran

Transportation lawyer | Aug 02

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have worked with Rick on cases in the past and he is responsive and knowledgable as well as timely in responding to matters of urgency. I highly recommend Michael for any consideration of legal services."

Michael Leizerman

Personal injury lawyer | Jun 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I've know Rick professionally for over 10 years, and have sent him cases in Virginia. Rick is very thorough, aggressive and competent. I strongly recommend him for any personal injury, or to refer him a case if you're a lawyer."

Lawrence Egerton

Personal injury lawyer | May 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Richard and his firm are well-known in eastern NC and VA for their professionalism and tireless advocacy on behalf of their clients!"

Andrew Thompson

Litigation lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I was co-counsel with Mr. Shapiro on a case under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. I worked with him on all aspects of the case. He was lead counsel in obtaining a very favorable resolution of the matter at a difficult mediation. I would endorse Mr. Shapiro in any litigation matter."

See More Lawyer Endorsements See Less Lawyer Endorsements View All Endorsements

James St. Clair

Personal injury lawyer

Andrew Stover

Car accident lawyer

Paige Ferros

Personal injury lawyer

Brandon Bybee

Employment and labor lawyer

Kevin Sharp

Personal injury lawyer

Eric Washburn

Car accident lawyer

Jessica Booth

Estate planning lawyer

Edwin Booth

Medical malpractice lawyer

Robert Feisee

Estate planning lawyer

Patrick Austin

Personal injury lawyer

John Sammons

Personal injury lawyer

Joseph Miller

Personal injury lawyer

Francis Hajek

Personal injury lawyer

Benjamin Glass

Medical malpractice lawyer

Mark Favaloro

Medical malpractice lawyer

Diane McNamara

Workers compensation lawyer

James Lewis

Personal injury lawyer

Kevin Duffan

Personal injury lawyer

Mark Baran

Transportation lawyer

Michael Leizerman

Trucking accident lawyer