Zephyrhills, Florida
Zephyrhills Personal Injury Lawyers
Zephyrhills: 6536 Stadium Dr, Zephyrhills, FL 33542
Are you struggling to cope with the fallout of a serious accident? Have you suffered debilitating injuries, extreme financial losses, and severe emotional distress? If so, you may have the right to compensation for your damages and suffering. Our expert personal injury lawyers at Howell & Thornhill are here to help you get the most out of your claim.
A personal injury lawyer at our firm can thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident to determine who is at fault and quantify your damages so you do not settle for less than your claim is worth. When you need an injury lawyer you can count on, our team is ready to fight for your rights. Contact our office for a 100% free consultation today and learn more about what to expect from the personal injury claims process and how to maximize your financial compensation.
Types of Zephyrhills Personal Injury Cases We Handle
There are a wide variety of personal injuries and accidents our legal team is equipped to take on. Some of the most common accidents have been involved in, and legal issues our clients have experienced include:
● Hotel accidents
● Trampoline accidents
● Construction accidents
● Parking lot accidents
● Other premises liabilities
● Nursing home abuse
Injuries to Sue For After an Accident in Zephyrhills
There is no one specific type of injury you have the right to sue for. As long as you have suffered an injury that has had a significant impact on your life or may continue to affect your life for the foreseeable future, you may have the right to take legal action against those responsible.
Some of the most common injuries our Zephyrhills clients have experienced include:
● Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
● Leg injuries
● Shoulder injuries
● Neck injuries
● Herniated discs
● Traumatic brain injuries
● Loss of limbs
● Spinal cord injuries
● Road rash
● Concussion
● Whiplash
● Compound fractures
● Contusions and lacerations
● Abrasions
● Back injuries
● Shock
● Facial injuries
If you are having trouble dealing with another type of injury we did not include in the list above, do not be discouraged. You may still have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. Contact our injury lawyers at Howell & Thornhill for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.
Grounds for a Successful Personal Injury Claim
Your personal injury claim can only be successful if you meet the grounds needed to find the defendant liable for your damages. The burden of proof in Florida civil claims is based on a preponderance of the evidence. Unlike in criminal court, where the assistant state attorney must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, in your civil case, the jury only needs to find the defendant more than likely than not at fault for the injuries you sustained to find them liable for your damages.
Meeting the elements of negligence is essential and includes:
● Duty of care – Your personal injury lawyers will show that the defendant had an obligation to your safety and well-being.
● Breach of duty – We will work to demonstrate how the defendant failed to uphold the obligation to your safety.
● Causation – Your personal injury attorney will introduce valuable evidence that shows how the defendant is responsible for causing your injuries or resulting damages.
● Damages – We will provide evidence of the various ways your life has been affected by the injuries you were diagnosed with or the accident you were involved in.
The Value of Your Insurance Claim and Civil Lawsuit
If you are curious about how much your case could be worth, you are not alone. After everything you have been through, it makes sense that you would want to know that your efforts in pursuing justice will be worthwhile.
There are various types of damages that could be awarded in your case. Compensatory damages are losses you have the right to recover and can include a combination of economic and non-economic damages. Exemplary damages could significantly increase the amount of your settlement if the court system finds it appropriate to take additional legal action against the liable party.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Economic damages are a type of compensatory loss that is strictly financial. Some examples of economic damages for personal injury victims include:
● Loss of income when you took time off work
● Your inability to continue earning a living due to permanent disability
● Loss of household services, including unexpected daycare expenses and household maintenance costs
● Loss of benefits from your employer, including sick leave, paid time off, bonuses, health insurance coverage, and retirement savings contributions
● Medical bills and treatment costs, such as ambulance bills, co-pays, psychological counseling, physical therapy, future medical care, and medical devices
Non-economic damages are another type of compensatory loss. Insurance companies try to claim these damages are “subjective.” However, at Howell & Thornhill we know the impact on your life is real. Some examples of non-economic damages you could be entitled to include:
● Embarrassment from disfiguring skin scars
● Chronic physical pain and suffering
● Loss of consortium and an intimate spousal relationship
● Feelings of shock, fear, and indignity
● Development of emotional disorders
● Damage to your professional or personal reputation
● Diminished quality of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not a compensatory loss. Your injury attorney can advocate for a punitive damages award if the defendant was grossly negligent or intentionally caused the accident you were involved in or the injuries you sustained.
Often, the civil courts will only impose punitive damages under Florida Statute Section 768.72 if they find it appropriate to send a message to community members or deter similar conduct from
occurring in future accidents. You can find out whether punitive damages are likely in your case when you contact our Florida injury law firm to discuss the value of your lawsuit and insurance claims.
Important Florida Personal Injury Laws You Need to Know
When you move forward with your personal injury lawsuit in Zephyrhills, there are specific laws that could have an impact on the outcome of your case. Here is more information about how insurance claims work, the statute of limitations, and shared liability laws in Florida.
How Insurance Works
According to Florida insurance laws for a car accident under Florida Statute 627.737, some of your initial medical bills we be paid by your own insurance. When you did not cause this crash, then this should not raise your rates. Frankly, the lawyers at Howell & Thornhill do not understand why the insurance companies force this process on Florida victims in a car crash. Call us to explain this confusing law.
What Insurance Pays For
The personal injury protection, which is the type of coverage that pays initial bills, is only for $10,000.00, which is less than the cost of many emergency room visits.
The Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
Florida used to recognize the complexity of personal injury lawsuits, previously allowing victims up to four years to file suit. However, in 2023, legislators changed the laws in what appears to our firm to be a favor to insurance companies, reducing the statute of limitations time frame from four years down to two under Florida Civil Code Chapter 95 Section 11. Take action on your claim quickly, or you could be barred from moving forward with your lawsuit.
Updated Shared Fault Laws in FL
The statute of limitations was not the only law updated in 2023. In the past in Florida, even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you could still be awarded money for the fault of the person who caused the injury. For instance, if the driver that hit you was 25% at fault, then they were responsible for 25% of the damages. However, in 2023, the laws changed. Now, Florida personal injury laws follow a modified comparative fault system.
Here, if your portion of blame exceeds the 50% bar threshold, you will no longer be able to recover any compensation for your losses. So, the driver who is 25% at fault escapes responsibility completely for any damages.
Having a dedicated personal injury law firm advocate for your rights will be essential. Liable parties are likely to blame you in the hopes of reducing or eliminating their fair financial obligations. When you have your personal injury attorney in Lake Wales handle these
accusations, you can rest easier knowing liability will be evaluated correctly and you will not be taken advantage of by self-serving parties.
Zephyrhills Personal Injury FAQ
The personal injury claims process can be difficult to comprehend. You may quickly feel overwhelmed by the various legal options available to you and the steps you must take to get the most out of your claim.
In the hopes of helping you feel empowered to take action against the liable party, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding Zephyrhills personal injury claims below. If you have additional questions you would like to discuss during a free consultation, do not hesitate to contact our law offices to schedule yours today.
Should I give a statement to the insurance company?
It is never a good idea to give a statement to the insurance company. Insurance adjusters and companies are profit-motivated in our opinion. We believe that they will almost always prioritize its financial interests above yours. Personal injury law firms like ours have experience going up against the money-hungry insurance companies willing to take advantage of those in need.
The insurance adjusters you speak with may politely ask you to give them a statement and then attempt to manipulate your words and use them against you to reduce your settlement or deny your claim. For this reason, it is always in your best interests to have our injury attorneys negotiate with the insurance company for you.
This way, you do not risk saying something that could be used against you. Your lawyer will make sure insurance adjusters have the information and facts they need to continue processing your insurance claim so you can obtain the settlement you deserve.
Will I have to go to trial?
Many injury law firms go to great lengths to avoid having their clients go to trial. Although it is possible to avoid going to court, in many instances, filing a civil lawsuit is the best way to maximize the compensation you win.
Insurance may not make an offer to cover everything, and when you bring your case to court, you have the right to fight to be made whole. If you want to avoid going to trial, it is important to maximize your insurance settlement and attempt to reach a settlement with the liable party outside of court. That way, you can receive compensation for every single loss without settling for less than your claim is worth.
How can a personal injury lawyer in Zephyrhills help me?
Our Zephyrhills personal injury attorneys at Howell & Thornhill will handle every legal detail of your case. This is a great opportunity for you to devote your energy to your healing journey instead of worrying about complex legalities. Some of the top responsibilities we will take on for you include:
● Investigating how the accident happened
● Collecting valuable supporting evidence
● Obtaining witness testimony and video footage of the accident
● Figuring out who is responsible for your injuries
● Exploring your legal options for financial relief
● Preparing insurance claims in court documents
● Negotiating with insurance companies and renegotiating settlement terms
● Preparing your personal injury case for trial
● Advocating for total financial compensation in court
Get Help From a Zephyrhills Personal Injury Law Firm Today
Dealing with the aftermath of a serious accident can be emotionally taxing. Thankfully, you do not have to go through this alone. A Zephyrhills personal injury lawyer at Howell & Thornhill can help you navigate the claims process and demand the compensation you are due.
When you are ready to take legal action against those responsible for your suffering, but are unsure of where to begin, do not hesitate to complete our online contact form or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. Our Zephyrhills personal injury attorneys offer legal representation to injury victims throughout Zephyrhills, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Sebring, and surrounding cities. Claim yours to get started on your case as soon as today.
