Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Near Me

Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Near Me

Since 1975, lawyers at the firm of Howell & Thornhill, P.A. have served our community helping accident victims after a crash. Our motor vehicle accident attorney near me law firm understands that some injuries are catastrophic and that many challenges will face you after a motor vehicle accident.

Howell & Thornhill, P.A. will stand by your side as we work together to pursue justice. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Lakeland, Winter Haven, or anywhere in Central Florida, contact us today. We got this!

How Common Are Motor Vehicle Accidents in Lakeland?

Motor vehicle accidents are common in the Lakeland area. Some of the most dangerous roads in the Lakeland area include US 98 N, Bartow Road, Combee Road, S. Florida Avenue, CR 540, and CR 540A. The city also has several dangerous intersections, including Combee and Memorial, S. Florida and CR 540A, Florida Avenue and Memorial, CR 540A and Bartow Road, and US 98 N and I-4.  

There are several reasons that these roads and intersections are so dangerous. Some of the primary causes for accidents in these areas include heavy traffic, complex roadway layouts, limited turning infrastructure, speeding, distracted driving, and failure to obey traffic laws. 

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents We Can Handle

A motor vehicle accident can fall in various categories. No matter the type of accident you were involved in, we are here to help. We are prepared to handle any challenge you might face after getting into a crash. Our attorneys will help our clients with all kinds of cases. Here are some of the most common types of Central Florida motor vehicle accidents our lawyers near you can handle. 

Car Accidents

A car accident can happen at any time. Many car crashes in Lakeland happen because of negligence. Every driver should take care to operate their vehicles safely to avoid accidents. Still, often drivers’ actions lead to car accidents. 

Many car accidents in the region are caused by driver error, including the following: 

  • Distracted Driving – Distracted driving happens when a motorist takes their eyes or attention off the road, even for a moment. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, distracted driving caused more than 150,000 traffic accidents, including nearly 300 deaths. Failing to pay attention to the road and cellphone use were among the most common types of distractions. 
  • Speeding – Speeding is particularly dangerous because it makes it very difficult for a speeding driver to stop their vehicle in response to traffic. Speeding is a serious problem among Florida drivers. Speeding caused 16,236 traffic accidents and nearly 200 deadly crashes. 
  • Failure to Obey Traffic Laws – We know that we should always follow traffic laws when driving our vehicles. However, some drivers disobey traffic rules and run red lights, ignore traffic signs, or otherwise fail to follow the law. These actions can easily cause a traffic accident.

An experienced auto accident attorney can help you understand how the accident happened and who caused it to happen. Together, we will work with your insurance company and hold them accountable for causing you harm. 

Semi-Truck Accidents

Large truck crashes might be the deadliest type of motor vehicle accidents. The weight imbalance between a large commercial truck and a normal-sized passenger car can leave the driver seriously injured. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries from semi-truck accidents include: 

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Neck and back injuries 
  • Emotional trauma

Semi-truck accidents can lead to complications, including determining liability and identifying which insurance companies owe you money. Let our motor vehicle accident attorneys near you investigate your case. Our lawyers can determine who is at fault and what you are owed after an accident with a large commercial truck. 

Rideshare Accidents

Rideshares and the gig economy are a central part of American life. When an accident happens in a rideshare, various problems can arise. An attorney can help you sort out the specific issues that can be a part of a rideshare accident case. 

There can be various defendants in a rideshare case. Your lawyer will help you sort everything out, including what insurance companies owe you a financial payout. Examples of who is potentially responsible after a rideshare accident can include the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, passengers, or other motorists. 

Depending on whether the driver was logged into the app or accepted the ride, it might affect the available insurance. Your attorney can help you understand your right to sue after a rideshare crash. 

Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk drivers put the entire community in danger. Impaired drivers cause totally avoidable accidents that can have life-altering effects. Here at Howell & Thornhill, P.A., we want to come alongside you and your family as you get your life back on track after a drunk driving accident. 

Unfortunately, impaired driving accidents are far too common in Central Florida. In 2023, Polk County reported the following statistics: 

  • 153 alcohol-involved accidents happened across the county. 
  • Twelve people were killed in 2023 by a drunk driver.
  • More than 100 injury-causing accidents occurred across Polk County in 2023. 

Our auto accident lawyers will handle the legal process while you manage the emotional fallout after a drunk driving accident.

How Much Is My Claim Worth?

Getting an idea about the value of your claim is important. How is the value of your case determined?  There are several factors that can influence the value of your auto collision case. Working with a motor vehicle accident lawyer near you can help you understand the true value of your claim. 

Here are some common factors that are typically used when determining the overall value of your case.

Insurance Policy Limits

Motor vehicle accident victims often receive financial payouts up to the insurance policy limits, so the value of a claim may be capped at these limits. Your lawyer might investigate the availability of uninsured or underinsured motorist policies or whether multiple policies can contribute to paying your claim. 

Medical Expenses

The value of your case is heavily influenced by the cost of your medical treatment. If you did not cause the crash, you are entitled to recover for the value of your past medical treatment (i.e., a trip to the ER or an ambulance ride) and potential future medical losses like long-term care or ongoing pain management.   

Severity of Your Injuries

Along with your medical expenses, the severity of your injuries can significantly impact the value of your motor vehicle accident claim. Some injuries will require ongoing medical treatment, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, or inpatient rehabilitation for significant injuries like head injuries, amputations, or severe burns. More severe injuries usually mean a more costly medical plan. 

Lost Income or Lost Earning Capacity

Your injuries might be so significant that they impact your ability to return to work. A serious injury can cause you to lose major income. Despite being unable to work, the bills will continue to stack up. In this case, you may be entitled to recover for your lost earning capacity. This is essentially the difference between the money you made before and after the accident.

You deserve to recover for all of your financial losses. Working with an attorney is the best way to ensure you get everything that you deserve. 

Property Damage

Your vehicle might be damaged in a motor vehicle accident. The final value of your claim might be increased by recovering for the cost of any repairs and the value of personal property damaged in the accident. 

What Challenges Do Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Face Without a Lawyer?

Unrepresented motor vehicle accident victims face several challenges that represented victims do not. Hiring a Lakeland attorney to guide you through your motor vehicle accident claim can help you avoid the following: 

  • Being bullied into accepting a lowball settlement offer from the insurance company 
  • Trouble collecting and preserving evidence before it is lost or corrupted 
  • Missing important procedural deadlines and other important dates 
  • Forgetting to account for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering 
  • Representing yourself in court may be intimidating and risky 

What Should I Do Immediately After a Motor Vehicle Accident? 

The steps that you take immediately after a motor vehicle accident are critical to the success of your accident claim. Consider taking the following steps to protect your health and your case: 

  • Seek medical attention immediately, especially within 14 days of the crash. 
  • Call the police to report the crash.
  • Take photographs of all vehicles and the other driver’s license and insurance card
  • Notify your insurance company 
  • Contact a motor vehicle accident attorney 

You should speak to an experienced lawyer before making any statements, especially to the insurance company. Getting legal assistance early can protect your rights. Remember, in our opinion the insurance companies want to protect their profits. Your lawyer wants to protect your legal rights. 

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim After a Car Accident in Lakeland? 

Knowing how long you have to file a lawsuit is among the most critical pieces of information that a motor vehicle accident victim needs. Every case is subject to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a procedural rule that gives accident victims a deadline to file a claim or lose their right to file. 

In Florida, motor vehicle accident victims have two years from the date that they were injured to file a lawsuit. You have more rights to have bills paid if you see a doctor within 14 days of the crash.  An experienced attorney will help you identify this important date (and other applicable procedural rules) so your claim remains protected. 

Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law

Florida requires every driver have a $10,000 health insurance policy to pay for their own medical bills, even when they are not at fault.  This is called “No-Fault” coverage.  The lawyers at Howell & Thornhill, P.A., think this is a silly law created by insurance companies to force everyone to have a health insurance policy on their car.  Nevertheless, it is the law and it should pay $10,000.00 in medical bills without raising you rates when you do not cause the crash.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney?

A call to Howell & Thornhill, P.A, is free.  We never earn a fee unless our client recovers money.  

During this free case review, we will discuss what happened and explain if our client does not recover money, they do not owe Howell & Thornhill, P.A., any money for fees nor costs.  

How Long Will My Motor Vehicle Accident Case Take? 

There is no guaranteed timeline for any motor vehicle accident case. Several factors influence how quickly a motor vehicle accident claim is resolved. Some of those factors include the following: 

  • Liability disputes 
  • Multiple parties or defendants 
  • The amount of available evidence 
  • Medical treatment timeline 
  • Settlement negotiations 
  • Court backlogs 
  • Insurance company responsiveness
  • Unforeseen complications 

Why Work With a Lakeland Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney?

Working with an attorney from the local area puts you in the best position to recover financially after a motor vehicle accident. Depending on the severity of the crash, you might find yourself unable to work and with mounting medical debt. An experienced lawyer will help you understand your right to financial compensation. 

In our opinion, working with a local attorney is essential. A Lakeland attorney is familiar with the specific hurdles that you might face when you are pursuing financial compensation for your losses.  Most importantly, you do not need to drive far to meet with your lawyer face to face. 

Contact Our Expert Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Near Me
Law Firm

The legal team at Howell & Thornhill, P.A. is ready to fight for you. Whether you are facing a fight with the insurance company, need help determining liability, or are facing other hurdles after a motor vehicle accident, we’ve got this! If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Lakeland, FL and need an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney near you, contact Howell & Thornhill, P.A. today. Schedule a free initial consultation to learn about your legal options.