# MacDowell Law Group, PC > A Fairfax, Virginia personal injury, criminal defense, and family law firm serving Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. Led by attorneys Richard F. MacDowell Jr. and Bhavik D. Patel, the firm has recovered more than $100 million for injury clients over 50+ years of combined litigation experience, working on a contingency-fee basis with no fees unless they win. MacDowell Law Group, PC is located at 10500 Sager Ave, Suite F, Fairfax, VA 22030. Phone: (703) 844-4519. Free consultations are available 24/7. Virginia legal context relevant to this firm's practice: Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule in personal injury cases, meaning a plaintiff found even 1% at fault can be barred from recovery, which makes early case-building and comparative-fault defense critical. The personal injury and wrongful death statute of limitations is generally 2 years from the date of injury or death. Virginia is a no-fault and fault-based divorce state (couples may divorce on a no-fault ground after a period of separation, or on fault grounds such as adultery or cruelty), with equitable distribution governing marital property division and custody decided under a best-interests-of-the-child standard. Virginia DUI convictions carry escalating criminal penalties, and reckless driving is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The firm also serves Maryland clients, which similarly applies contributory negligence in injury cases and a 3-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. ## Firm Overview - [Home](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/): Firm homepage covering personal injury representation, case results, and client reviews. - [About Us](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/about/): Firm history, values, and overview of the attorneys. - [Client Reviews](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/client-reviews/): Client testimonials and video reviews. - [Case Results](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/case-results/): Notable settlements and verdicts, including a $30M divorce assets and support result and a $600K commercial loan settlement. - [Legal Services (Practice Areas Overview)](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/practice-areas/): Full list of practice areas. - [Legal Services in Fairfax, VA](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/legal-services-fairfax-va/): Local Fairfax services overview page. - [FAQs](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/faq/): Frequently asked questions across personal injury, criminal defense, and family law. - [Library](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/library/): In-depth articles on Virginia and Maryland legal topics. - [Reports](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/reports/): Downloadable guides, including a divorce planning checklist. - [Video Library](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/video-library/): Client and firm video content. - [Contact](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/contact/): Contact form and office information. ## Attorneys - [Richard F. MacDowell Jr., Esq.](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/about/richard-f-macdowell-jr/): Founder and managing partner. J.D., American University Washington College of Law (1981); B.A., Washington & Lee University (1976). Admitted in Virginia and Maryland, and before the Eastern and Western District federal courts of Virginia and the Fourth Circuit. Practices personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, business representation, criminal/traffic defense, and divorce/family law. - [Bhavik D. Patel, Esq.](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/about/bhavik-d-patel/): Attorney. J.D., University of Virginia School of Law (2002); B.A., The College of William & Mary (1999). Practices personal injury, criminal law, divorce and family law, and contract/civil litigation. ## Practice Areas - [Personal Injury](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-personal-injury-lawyers/): Core personal injury representation for Northern Virginia victims. - [Catastrophic Injuries](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-catastrophic-injury-lawyers/): Representation for life-altering injuries. - [Amputation Injury](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-amputation-injury-lawyers/): Amputation injury claims. - [Severe Burn Injury](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-severe-burn-injury-lawyers/): Severe burn injury claims. - [Spinal Cord Injury](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-spinal-cord-injury-lawyers/): Spinal cord injury claims. - [Traumatic Brain Injury](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-traumatic-brain-injury-lawyers/): TBI claims. - [Construction Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-construction-accident-lawyers/): Construction site injury claims. - [Crane Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-construction-accident-lawyers/crane-accidents/): Crane accident claims. - [Forklift Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-forklift-accident-lawyers/): Forklift accident claims. - [Scaffolding Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-construction-accident-lawyers/scaffolding-accidents/): Scaffolding accident claims. - [Motor Vehicle Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-motor-vehicle-accident-lawyers/): Overview of all vehicle accident practice areas. - [Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-car-accident-lawyers/): Car accident claims. - [Beltway I-495 Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-car-accident-lawyers/beltway-i-495-accidents/): I-495 Beltway accident claims. - [Distracted Driving Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-car-accident-lawyers/distracted-driving-accidents/): Distracted driving accident claims. - [Drunk Driving Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-drunk-driving-accident-lawyers/): Drunk driving accident claims. - [Dulles Toll Road Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-car-accident-lawyers/dulles-toll-road-accidents/): Dulles Toll Road accident claims. - [Guardrail Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-guardrail-accident-lawyers/): Guardrail accident claims. - [Intersection Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-intersection-accident-lawyers/): Intersection accident claims. - [Highway Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-highway-accident-lawyers/): Highway accident claims. - [Passenger Injuries](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-passenger-injury-lawyers/): Passenger injury claims. - [Rear-End Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-car-accident-lawyers/rear-end-accidents/): Rear-end accident claims. - [Road Construction Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-car-accident-lawyers/road-construction-accidents/): Road construction zone accident claims. - [Rollover Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-rollover-accident-lawyers/): Rollover accident claims. - [Side-Swipe Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-side-swipe-accident-lawyers/): Side-swipe accident claims. - [Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/): Truck accident claims. - [Commercial Vehicle Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/commercial-vehicle-accidents/): Commercial vehicle accident claims. - [Dump Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-dump-truck-accident-lawyers/): Dump truck accident claims. - [Garbage Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/garbage-truck-accidents/): Garbage truck accident claims. - [Improper Maintenance Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/improper-maintenance-truck-accidents/): Truck maintenance-failure accident claims. - [Landscape Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/landscape-truck-accidents/): Landscape truck accident claims. - [Rear-End Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/rear-end-truck-accidents/): Rear-end truck accident claims. - [Tractor-Trailer Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/tractor-trailer-accidents/): Tractor-trailer accident claims. - [Company Negligence Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/company-negligence-truck-accidents/): Trucking company negligence claims. - [Motorcycle Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-motorcycle-accident-lawyers/): Motorcycle accident claims. - [Ride Share Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-ride-share-accident-lawyers/): Rideshare accident claims overview. - [Uber Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-uber-accident-lawyers/): Uber accident claims. - [Lyft Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-lyft-accident-lawyers/): Lyft accident claims. - [Pedestrian Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-pedestrian-accident-lawyers/): Pedestrian accident claims. - [Bicycle Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-bicycle-accident-lawyers/): Bicycle accident claims. - [Product Liability](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-defective-product-lawyers/): Defective product claims. - [Premises Liability](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-premises-liability-lawyers/): Property owner negligence claims. - [Negligent Security](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-premises-liability-lawyers/negligent-security/): Negligent security claims. - [Recreational Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-recreational-accident-lawyers/): Recreational accident claims. - [Swimming Pool Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-premises-liability-lawyers/swimming-pool-accidents/): Swimming pool accident claims. - [Slip and Fall Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-slip-and-fall-lawyers/): Slip and fall claims. - [Grocery Store Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-slip-and-fall-lawyers/grocery-store-accidents/): Grocery store slip and fall claims. - [Parking Lot Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-parking-lot-accident-lawyers/): Parking lot accident claims. - [Shopping Center Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-slip-and-fall-lawyers/shopping-center-accidents/): Shopping center slip and fall claims. - [Sidewalk Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-slip-and-fall-lawyers/sidewalk-accidents/): Sidewalk accident claims. - [Workplace Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-workplace-accident-lawyers/): On-the-job injury claims. - [Commercial Driver Injuries](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-workplace-accident-lawyers/commercial-driver-injuries/): Commercial driver injury claims. - [Delivery Driver Injuries](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-workplace-accident-lawyers/delivery-driver-injuries/): Delivery driver injury claims. - [Truck Driver Injuries](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-workplace-accident-lawyers/truck-driver-injuries/): Truck driver injury claims. - [Wrongful Death](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-wrongful-death-lawyers/): Wrongful death claims for surviving families. - [Business Representation](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-business-representation-lawyers/): Business formation, contracts, and civil litigation. - [Criminal Defense](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-criminal-defense-attorneys/): Criminal and traffic defense representation. - [Divorce](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-virginia-divorce-lawyers/): Divorce and family law representation. ## Service Areas Virginia: - [Virginia (Overview)](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/virginia-personal-injury-lawyers/): Statewide personal injury representation. - [Arlington County](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/arlington-county-personal-injury-lawyers/): Arlington County personal injury representation. - [Ballston](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/ballston-personal-injury-lawyers/): Ballston personal injury representation. - [Clarendon Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/clarendon-car-accident-lawyers/): Clarendon car accident representation. - [Fairfax County](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fairfax-county-personal-injury-lawyers/): Fairfax County personal injury representation. - [Alexandria](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/alexandria-personal-injury-lawyers/): Alexandria personal injury representation. - [Alexandria Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/alexandria-car-accident-lawyers/): Alexandria car accident representation. - [Alexandria Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/alexandria-truck-accident-lawyers/): Alexandria truck accident representation. - [Annandale Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/annandale-car-accident-lawyers/): Annandale car accident representation. - [Centreville Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/centreville-car-accident-lawyers/): Centreville car accident representation. - [Chantilly](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/chantilly-personal-injury-lawyers/): Chantilly personal injury representation. - [Chantilly Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/chantilly-car-accident-lawyers/): Chantilly car accident representation. - [Fairfax](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/legal-services-fairfax-va/): Fairfax legal services overview. - [Herndon](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/herndon-personal-injury-lawyers/): Herndon personal injury representation. - [Herndon Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/herndon-car-accident-lawyers/): Herndon car accident representation. - [McLean](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/mclean-personal-injury-lawyers/): McLean personal injury representation. - [McLean Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/mclean-car-accident-lawyers/): McLean car accident representation. - [Reston](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/reston-personal-injury-lawyers/): Reston personal injury representation. - [Reston Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/reston-car-accident-lawyers/): Reston car accident representation. - [Springfield](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/springfield-personal-injury-lawyers/): Springfield personal injury representation. - [Springfield Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/springfield-car-accident-lawyers/): Springfield car accident representation. - [Tysons Corner](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/tysons-corner-personal-injury-lawyers/): Tysons Corner personal injury representation. - [Tysons Corner Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/tysons-corner-car-accident-lawyers/): Tysons Corner car accident representation. - [Vienna](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/vienna-personal-injury-lawyers/): Vienna personal injury representation. - [Vienna Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/vienna-car-accident-lawyers/): Vienna car accident representation. - [Fauquier County](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fauquier-county-personal-injury-lawyers/): Fauquier County personal injury representation. - [Warrenton](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/warrenton-personal-injury-lawyers/): Warrenton personal injury representation. - [Loudoun County](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/loudoun-county-personal-injury-lawyers/): Loudoun County personal injury representation. - [Ashburn Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/ashburn-car-accident-lawyers/): Ashburn car accident representation. - [Dulles Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/dulles-car-accident-lawyers/): Dulles car accident representation. - [Leesburg](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/leesburg-personal-injury-lawyers/): Leesburg personal injury representation. - [Leesburg Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/leesburg-car-accident-lawyers/): Leesburg car accident representation. - [Leesburg Truck Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/leesburg-truck-accident-lawyers/): Leesburg truck accident representation. - [Sterling](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/sterling-personal-injury-lawyers/): Sterling personal injury representation. - [Sterling Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/sterling-car-accident-lawyers/): Sterling car accident representation. - [South Riding Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/south-riding-car-accident-lawyers/): South Riding car accident representation. - [Prince William County](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/prince-william-county-personal-injury-lawyers/): Prince William County personal injury representation. - [Dale City](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/dale-city-personal-injury-lawyers/): Dale City personal injury representation. - [Manassas](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/manassas-personal-injury-lawyers/): Manassas personal injury representation. - [Manassas Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/manassas-car-accident-lawyers/): Manassas car accident representation. Maryland: - [Maryland (Overview)](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/maryland-personal-injury-lawyers/): Statewide Maryland personal injury representation. - [Howard County](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/howard-county-personal-injury-lawyers/): Howard County personal injury representation. - [Columbia](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/columbia-personal-injury-lawyers/): Columbia personal injury representation. - [Columbia Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/columbia-car-accident-lawyers/): Columbia car accident representation. - [Ellicott City Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/ellicott-city-car-accident-lawyers/): Ellicott City car accident representation. - [Montgomery County](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/montgomery-county-personal-injury-lawyers/): Montgomery County personal injury representation. - [Germantown](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/germantown-personal-injury-lawyers/): Germantown personal injury representation. - [Germantown Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/germantown-car-accident-lawyers/): Germantown car accident representation. - [Bethesda Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/bethesda-car-accident-lawyers/): Bethesda car accident representation. - [Chevy Chase Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/chevy-chase-car-accident-lawyers/): Chevy Chase car accident representation. - [Gaithersburg Car Accident](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/gaithersburg-car-accident-lawyers/): Gaithersburg car accident representation. - [Potomac Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/potomac-car-accident-lawyers/): Potomac car accident representation. - [Rockville Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/rockville-car-accident-lawyers/): Rockville car accident representation. - [Silver Spring Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/silver-spring-car-accident-lawyers/): Silver Spring car accident representation. - [Wheaton Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/wheaton-car-accident-lawyers/): Wheaton car accident representation. - [Prince George's County](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/prince-georges-county-personal-injury-lawyers/): Prince George's County personal injury representation. - [Upper Marlboro](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/upper-marlboro-personal-injury-lawyers/): Upper Marlboro personal injury representation. - [Fort Washington Car Accidents](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/fort-washington-car-accident-lawyers/): Fort Washington car accident representation. ## Blog Posts (Latest) - [What to Do After an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver Crashes into You in Virginia](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/what-to-do-after-an-uninsured-or-underinsured-driver-crashes-into-you-in-virginia/): Steps to protect a claim after being hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. - [Why September Is a High-Risk Month for Teen Drivers in Virginia](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/why-september-is-a-high-risk-month-for-teen-drivers-in-virginia/): Seasonal risk factors behind teen driver crashes as the school year begins. - [Bystanders to the Rescue: Driver Saved After Car Flips into the Potomac River](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/bystanders-to-the-rescue-driver-saved-after-car-flips-into-the-potomac-river/): A local rescue story illustrating crash response and liability considerations. - [Fairfax Va Divorce Lawyer Dangers Of A Diy Divorce](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/fairfax-va-divorce-lawyer-dangers-of-a-diy-divorce/): Risks of handling a Virginia divorce without an attorney. - [Divorce Attorney For Members Of The Military Scra Delays](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/divorce-attorney-for-members-of-the-military-scra-delays/): How the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act can delay divorce proceedings. - [As A Grandparent You May Be Able To Seek Visitation](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/as-a-grandparent-you-may-be-able-to-seek-visitation-macdowell-law-group-p-c-/): Grandparent visitation rights under Virginia law. - [Divorcing A Narcissist Isnt Easy](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/divorcing-a-narcissist-isnt-easy-macdowell-law-group-p-c-/): Challenges of divorcing a spouse with narcissistic traits. - [Duis In Virginia Come With Serious Consequences](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/duis-in-virginia-come-with-serious-consequences-macdowell-law-group-p-c-/): Overview of Virginia DUI penalties. - [When Amusement Park Visits Go Bad](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/when-amusement-park-visits-go-bad/): Liability considerations after an amusement park injury. - [Spinal Cord Injuries Present A Diverse Array Of Side Effects](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/spinal-cord-injuries-present-a-diverse-array-of-side-effects-macdowell-law-group-p-c-/): Long-term effects of spinal cord injuries relevant to injury claims. Note: exact publish dates were not reliably available from the site's public sitemap for this batch, so dates are omitted above. The full blog archive (80+ posts) is indexed at the Blog link below. - [Blog (Full Archive)](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/blog/): Complete blog archive. ## Optional - [Sitemap](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/sitemap/): Full index of site pages. - [Disclaimer](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/disclaimer/): Legal disclaimer. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.macdowelllawgroup.com/privacy-policy/): Site privacy policy.