John Ayers | Hanover Personal Injury Lawyer

Mr. John D. Ayers

Mr. John D. Ayers

Experience: 22 years
Language(s): English

Top Local Lawyers

About John

Born and raised in Hanover County, Virginia, John attended Virginia Tech for his undergraduate degree and The University of Richmond Law School for his Juris Doctor. He is the author of numerous legal publications and is a member of the Hanover and Fredericksburg Area Bar Associations as well as the Christian Legal Society, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice and the Lewis F. Powell Jr. American Inn of Court. Before starting his own firm, he was General Counsel for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, which primarily involved lobbying the General Assembly on behalf of personal injury attorneys and their clients. Outside of the office, John's life revolves around his family. He currently makes his home in Ashland, Virginia with his wife of fifteen years and their three girls who keep them busy with their gymnastics, dance, and golf. When people ask his girls what their dad does for a living they say "he is a lawyer so his job is helping people."

33.33% contingency fee on auto accident cases, and 40% on all other contingency fee cases

Experience

Attorney

Law Office of John Ayers

Present

Hanover, VA

Associate Attorney

The Joel Bieber Firm

04/2018 - 02/2020

Richmond, VA

General Counsel

Virginia Trial Lawyers Association

08/2015 - 12/2017

Richmond, VA

Associate Attorney

Marks & Harrison, P.C.

02/2005 - 08/2015

Fredericksburg, VA

Associate Attorney

Goodman, Allen & Filetti, P.C.

08/2003 - 02/2005

Glen Allen, VA

Admission

Verified Virginia

2003

Education

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Bachelors (History and Political Science)

2000

Recognitions & Achievements

Associations
  • Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Legislative Committee Co-chair
    2013 - 2015
  • Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Board of Governors
    2010 - 2015
  • Fredericksburg Area Bar Association Member
    2010 - 2015
  • Christian Legal Society Member
    2005 - 2015
  • Richmond Bar Association Member
    2003 - 2012
Honors / Awards
  • AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated Martindale-Hubbell
    2013
  • Rising Star SuperLawyers
    2009-2013
  • Champion | Trial Advocacy Competition | Regent University School of Law
  • Champion | Negotiations Competition | Regent University School of Law

Notable Work

Cases

Available Insurance coverage was $500,000 and verdict was for $487,867.

The plaintiff was involved in an auto accident, suffering a low back injury that resulted in more than $38,000 in medical bills and more than two years of lost wages. The plaintiff’s neurosurgeon recommended an anterior fusion of his low back that would cost approximately $100,000. Plaintiff sued for $500,000, the total amount of available insurance coverage. The first layer of liability insurance coverage was $25,000. This was an irrevocable offer made under Virginia Code § 38.2-2206(L). The UIM insurer did not participate over the course of the litigation and gave their first and only offer of $175,000 two days prior to trial. The trial judge awarded the plaintiff $487,867.35, and awarded $11,500 in attorney’s fees for the liability carrier under § 38.2-2206(L). Type of action: Personal injury – automobile accident Injuries alleged: Low back injury Name of case: Hulvey v. Overvold Court: Spotsylvania County Circuit Court Case no.: CL12-112 Tried before: Judge Judge: T.J. Markow Date: Dec. 4, 2012 Verdict or settlement: Verdict Amount: $487,867.35 Demand: $500,000 Offer: $25,000 (from liability insurer); $175,000 (from UIM insurer) Attorney for plaintiff: John D. Ayers, Fredericksburg Attorney for defendant: Daniel M. Royce, Richmond Insurance carriers: Grange Mutual Casualty Company (liability); Erie Insurance Company (UIM) Plaintiff’s expert: Jeffrey Poffenbarger, neurosurgeon, Fredericksburg

Publications

Liens in Personal Injury Actions ERISA Liens

2013


Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Journal Should I Pay This ERISA Claim?

2006

Questions & Answers

Please describe a case in the last year or two where you made a big difference.

I had a case last year that was turned down by several other attorneys because the insurance company had denied it. My client was run off the road by an unknown driver, had a concussion so she didn't remember the details of the crash, and her right arm had to be amputated. After going do to door to find an eyewitness, I was able to prove that there was a John Doe truck, and the insurance company paid their entire amount of coverage.

How did you build a successful practice?

I am different than most trial lawyers because I always try to be nice. You do not have to be rude or secretive to be successful and an excellent advocate. My opponents actually like working with me, and that greatly benefits my clients.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?

A good trial lawyer speaks at your level. Using legalese and complex words is rarely helpful, and if you can't understand your lawyer's reasoning then a jury won't understand it either.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?

I have found that insurance companies rarely make reasonable settlement offers if the attorney isn't local. They believe an out of town attorney will not know the local court system and will take less than full case value.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?

If I can't help you, then I probably know someone who can help.

Ayers Law Highlights

Accident & Injury, Car Accident

Firm Size: 1
Firm Locations: 1
Languages: English