Personal Injury Lawyer Haines City FL

Personal Injury Lawyer Haines City FL

Negligence is the underlying cause of all personal injury claims. When you get caught in the crosshairs of another party’s carelessness, you may suffer unexpected injuries and losses that can deeply affect your life. The burden this can place on you and your loved ones can be weighty and unfair. To recover from the wrong you have suffered, our personal injury lawyer Haines City FL law firm can ensure you receive an ally during a tough time.

At Howell & Thornhill, P.A., we have been helping clients since 1975 who have suffered from personal injury accidents. We are an ally and an advocate when they are overwhelmed by pain and the cost of medical treatments and are fighting with insurance companies about their claims. We provide support and counsel to help you get reimbursement. Our clients are our top priority, and we vigorously fight to secure the compensation and justice they deserve.

An Overview of Personal Injury Accidents and Claims

When the careless actions of a person or entity lead to the injury of another person, this is known as a personal injury accident and is the result of negligence. Personal injury accidents have continued to increase at a steady rate. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the rate of preventable injury-related deaths has increased by 162% over the last 30 years. It is the third most common cause of death, following heart problems and cancer. During the NSC’s most recent report, it found that approximately 63 million people were injured and 227,039 were killed.

These statistics paint a bleak picture and underscore the need for experienced legal representation. Accidents like these do not simply produce physical harm but can profoundly impact the mental, emotional, social, and financial lives of those involved. To remedy the trauma that was caused, personal injury claims are the legal recourse provided to individuals who have been injured due to negligence.  Howell & Thornhill, P.A., has experts in personal injury law to help.

Victims have the legal right to pursue justice and seek compensation to pay for their injuries, property damage, and other losses. With the help of a lawyer, victims can get the resources they need to focus on their recovery and get their life back.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

There are a variety of accidents that can arise due to negligence. Each one has the potential to cause serious and lasting harm. To get justice and offset the burden such an accident can cause, it is crucial to hire a personal injury lawyer in order to get the maximum results. Some common types of accidents a lawyer can help with include:

 

 

It is important to hire a seasoned lawyer to represent you or your loved one if you have been injured in these or other types of accidents. Each area has its own nuances and considerations, and a lawyer possesses the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to navigate the legal requirements and strategies it takes to get you results. They also know what obstacles may arise and how to combat them.

Personal Injury Accidents and the Harm They Cause

Personal injury accidents can cause serious harm to victims that may require immediate medical attention, ongoing treatments, and even life-long care. In severe cases, individuals may be killed due to the severity of the offender’s actions. The true extent of a person’s injuries will be influenced by the level of impact and trauma involved in the accident. A person may suffer injuries such as:

  • Head, neck, and spine injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Hip injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Lacerations
  • Sprains and strains
  • Organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Disabilities and paralysis
  • Neurological damage
  • Psychological damage
  • Tissue damage
  • Burn injuries
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Death

 

With accident injuries ranging from minor to severe, it is important to receive medical attention after an accident to ensure your safety and talk with a doctor about a treatment plan for your recovery. You should also talk with a lawyer about filing a claim to help mitigate the cost of your medical expenses.

Protect Your Claim With These Actions Following an Accident

There are a number of steps to take after a personal injury accident. These actions are intended to protect you physically, financially, and legally. While they may feel overwhelming and taxing in the beginning, taking the right steps can make the rest of the process smoother and more streamlined. These actions should be taken as soon as possible following an accident:

 

  • Call 911 and receive medical attention to ensure your safety and assess if you have external and internal injuries that need treatment.

 

  • Request that a police report be filed documenting the details of the event. Request a copy of the completed report.

 

  • Take photos and videos of the scene of the accident, as well as your injuries, to use as evidence. Gather names, addresses, and phone numbers from anyone who witnessed the accident.

 

  • Exchange information with all parties involved in accordance with Florida Statute § 324.242. You will need to provide your personally identifiable information and insurance policy number.

 

  • File a claim with your insurance under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy coverage. This coverage applies to medical bills and should not raise your rates if you did not cause he crash.

 

  • Hire a Haines City personal injury lawyer to protect your rights, negotiate on your behalf, and guide you through the insurance and legal systems.

Personal Injury Lawyers Should Tailor Their Approach to You

When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you should be able to rest easy knowing your case is in good hands. Your lawyer should devote their time and attention to your case and get you the maximum compensation for your losses. They should help you gather and review evidence to build a sound case and fight for you every step of the way. Strategies for your case will also be tailored to your specific situation to enhance the outcome of your case.  Call Howell & Thornhill, P.A., to talk to a personal injury lawyer.

Your lawyer should seek an expeditious resolution to your case and fight just as hard for you out of court as they will at trial. They may use negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation as needed to settle your case as peaceably as possible.  Howell & Thornhill, P.A., has experts in personal injury law.

Establishing Negligence and Fault in a Personal Injury Case

A key part of your case is establishing that your injuries were the result of negligence. As such, your lawyer will demonstrate that the offending party was obligated to show a reasonable amount of care to keep you out of harm and prevent injury. When they engaged in careless, reckless, or malicious activity, they violated that obligation and caused the resulting accident that led to your injuries. Once your lawyer has drawn the connection between the other party’s actions and your injuries, the offending party is liable for your damages.

Alongside establishing the standard of negligence, fault must also be determined in a personal injury case. In a Florida personal injury case, fault is determined by evaluating each party for any level of contribution for which they are responsible.

A percentage is assigned, ranging from 0-100%, and as long as the level of fault is less than 50%, damages are awarded in an amount reduced by the assigned percentage of fault. Any contribution higher than 50% is automatically barred from compensation. This approach is known as modified comparative negligence according to Florida Statute § 768.81.

Personal Injury Lawyers Negotiate with Insurance Companies on Your Behalf

In addition to establishing negligence and fault, a personal injury lawyer should also deal with insurance companies on your behalf and facilitate improved results. Even though insurance companies are your initial source of monetary relief, they do not always have your best interests at heart. They may act in bad faith, which could result in lower settlements, delayed claims, denied claims, and more.

Insurance companies may also try to close your claim out before you have had a chance to assess the full extent of your losses. They know that once you accept and sign your settlement, you waive your rights to seek more compensation in the future. That is why it is important to have a lawyer advocate for you with insurance companies and review any offers you receive from them. Whether the insurance company is yours or the opposing party’s, a lawyer should help you make them pay you what you deserve and protects your rights and interests.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in Florida

Florida allows accident victims two years to file a claim to pursue compensation, according to Florida Statute § 95.11(5). After this time, the individual forfeits their right to bring forth a claim in the future. However, it is recommended that you talk to a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident.

Not only can you be sure that you are eligible to seek compensation, but filing a claim closer to the accident can also result in a better outcome due to stronger evidence that will better support your case.

Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Personal Injury Accident in Haines City, FL

The financial pressure from an accident can leave you reeling as you try to figure out how to cover your growing expenses. In a time when you should ideally be focused on resting and recuperating, this weighty stress can delay your progress. To help you offset costs and rest easy, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages after an accident.

A lawyer should secure you a fair settlement that covers your losses sufficiently. When you work with a lawyer, ask if they will help you first calculate the value of your financial and intangible losses to identify how much compensation you need so they can advocate for you appropriately. Below is a closer look at some of the damages that a personal injury lawyer can help you recover.

Economic damages

Economic damages take the value of your current and anticipated financial expenses and then use that amount to compensate you for your monetary losses. These types of damages are one of the easiest to calculate as the losses are tangibly straightforward. Some of the losses that can be compensated within this category include:

  • Medical labs, tests, treatments, surgeries, physical therapies, and more
  • Therapy and counseling for mental health
  • Medications
  • Medical or personal care equipment
  • Lost income
  • Damage to property
  • End-of-life, funeral, and burial expenses

Non-economic Damages

In contrast, non-economic damages are more intangible losses. These focus more on the traumatic impacts of what you have experienced. Some of the losses that can be covered in this category include:

 

  • PTSD
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Loss of companionship and/or consortium
  • Reduction in your quality of life

Punitive damages

Punitive damages are used in special circumstances. In the event that a negligent party’s actions are so egregious or malicious that the actions are similar to a criminal act, you may be able to claim this form of damages. Punitive damages aim to alleviate your extra financial losses while also using the damages as a punishment to deter the offender from future behavior of a similar nature.

Howell & Thornhill, P.A. Secures Results for Clients

When you or a loved one have been the victim of another person’s negligence, call Howell & Thornhill, P.A. to ensure your rights are protected and help you file a claim to pursue legal action. We never use a one-size-fits-all approach.  We do not have a call center.  We do not have voicemail.  We meet our clients face to face.

When you hire Howell & Thornhill, P.A., as your expert personal injury lawyer Haines City FL law firm, you can meet with a lawyer face to face. To learn more about how we can help you, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.