Personal Injury Lawyer Polk County FL

Personal Injury Lawyer Polk County FL

 

Injuries from a serious accident can change your quality of life and ability to earn a living. It’s imperative that you speak with a personal injury lawyer Polk County FL law firm  as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help negotiate a better payout from the insurance company and determine if you should file a personal injury lawsuit to seek legal damages.

Howell & Thornhill, P.A. has served Polk County and nearby Central Florida communities since 1975. We’re ready to provide honest legal counsel and be your advocates.

To request a free consultation with experienced personal injury lawyers near you, contact our Polk County law offices. The attorneys of Howell & Thornhill, P.A. are ready to help you.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida?

According to Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5), you have two years from the date of your injury or accident to file a personal injury claim or a wrongful death claim for fatal injuries. Once this two-year statute of limitations has passed, you will no longer be able to file a legal claim.

Do not wait for the two-year deadline to lapse. It’s in your best interests to speak with an experienced Polk County personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The attorneys at Howell & Thornhill, P.A. will let you know if you have a case worth pursuing and let you know what steps you need to take next.

Why Choose the Personal Injury Attorneys of Howell & Thornhill, P.A.

There are many reasons why the people of Polk County contact Howell & Thornhill, P.A. when they need an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Serving Central West Florida Since 1975

Howell & Thornhill, P.A. has advocated for accident victims and their families for more than five decades. Our personal injury attorneys are proud to provide reliable and vigilant representation to clients throughout this region of Florida and nearby counties.

Four Law Offices in Polk County, FL

Howell & Thornhill, P.A. has four offices serving Polk County, FL:

We also have two other locations serving Central West Florida: a law office in Sebring, FL (Highlands County) and a law office in Zephyrhills, FL (Pasco County). Wherever you live, our attorneys have you covered.

Full-Time Accident Reconstruction Attorney on Staff

Our law firm serving Polk County has a full-time, certified accident reconstruction lawyer on staff. Attorney Tommy Ray has more than 40 years of experience in police work with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). He was instrumental in many cold case investigations, and he can use his skills to figure out what happened in your collision.

A Record of Client Success and Satisfaction

Our law firm has represented more than 10,000 clients in Polk County and nearby areas of Central Florida. We encourage you to browse our successful case results and read through testimonials from past clients to understand the difference we’ve made for many Floridians.

Request a Free Consultation with Our Polk County Personal Injury Attorneys

After a serious accident, you need to speak with an experienced lawyer about potentially seeking legal action. Howell & Thornhill, P.A. offers free case reviews with zero obligation, which allows you to get advice on what to do next from an experienced personal injury attorney.

To request a free consultation with a trusted personal injury lawyer near you, contact our personal injury attorneys in Polk County, FL.

Car Crashes

Car accidents are a real danger every day for commuters in Central Florida. According to information from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 12,734 vehicle crashes in Polk County in 2024. These crashes caused 104 deaths and more than 10,000 injuries.

If you were injured in a collision or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, our lawyers can help you file a car accident lawsuit to hold negligent drivers and other parties accountable.

Semi-Truck Collisions

We see semi-trucks on the highway everyday. They are an essential part of the American economy and help supply function properly. Yet these large trucks can cause catastrophic accidents that lead to severe injuries and permanent disability.

If you got injured in a collision with a big rig, our attorneys can help you file a semi-truck crash lawsuit to hold negligent truck drivers or irresponsible trucking companies liable for the accident.

Motorcycle Accidents

Riding a motorcycle can fill you with feelings of freedom and excitement, but motorcyclists need to exercise caution. You can be seriously injured in a crash even while wearing a helmet and protective gear. According to the FLHSMV, there were 303 motorcycle crashes in Polk County in 2024. This included 13 fatalities.

If you need help filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit, our lawyers can provide guidance hold the negligent party accountable for your injuries.

Drunk Drivers and DUI Crashes

There is never a reason to drink and drive. Anyone who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while intoxicated puts their life and the lives of others at risk. When a drunk driver get into a crash, they should be held liable.

In addition to the drunk driver facing criminal DUI penalties, accident survivors or their loved ones can sue a drunk driver for a DUI crash. Our attorneys know how to approach these cases to maximize insurance payouts and jury awards in cases that go to trial.

How Auto Accident Reconstruction Can Help Your Legal Claim

A police report only tells part of the story in an auto accident. Other evidence and witness testimony can create a fuller version of what happened and why. This is crucial in establishing liability in an accident claim.

Howell & Thornhill, P.A. has an attorney on staff who focuses on accident reconstruction and investigation. He can help set the record straight on the cause of a collision, any notable contributing factors, and who was responsible for your injuries.

Injured in a Crash? Contact Polk County Personal Injury Attorneys Near You

A serious auto accident could lead to steep medical bills, major vehicle repairs, and long-term medical issues that require ongoing treatment. Our lawyer can help you seek compensation to cover these financial losses. To discuss your collision case with an experienced attorney near you, contact our personal injury lawyers in Polk County, FL.

Bicycle Accidents

Biking around Polk County can keep you in shape and help relieve stress. There are also hazards to consider while on your bike. The FLHSMV recorded 196 bicycle-related crashes in 2024, which includes 3 fatalities.

The injuries in accidents involving bicyclists can be severe. If you need help filing a legal claim after a bike crash, our attorneys can help you seek compensation.

Pedestrian Accidents

Whenever you’re running errands or trying to get some fresh air on a walk, be sure to remain attentive. The FLHSMV recorded 344 pedestrian-related accidents in 2024. These accidents led to 21 deaths.

The injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents can be catastrophic and life-altering. When you speak with our lawyers about your case, we can let you know if you have a personal injury claim worth pursuing and what steps to take next.

Boating and Maritime Accidents

Boating, jet skiing, and the use of other kinds of watercraft is common around Central Florida, especially as people unwind in warmer weather. Accidents do happen on the water, though. In addition to the physical trauma one would expect from any kind of vehicle accident, there is the danger of drowning.

If you are injured in a boating/maritime accident, our personal injury attorneys can help you file a claim. We will be your advocate when negligent rental companies or water vehicle manufacturers endanger normal Floridians.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

While Florida does not have a statewide leash law, Polk County requires dogs to be on a leash unless they are contained or under someone’s control. It’s a common sense way to protect pets as well as people from serious injuries. Sadly, dog bites and animal attacks still happen despite these laws. The injuries can be serious and traumatizing, especially when the victim is an infant or a young child.

Our personal injury lawyers can help you file a legal action against negligent dog owners if you or a family member were attacked by their dog.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Slip, trip, and fall accidents cover all kinds of incidents that could occur on a property. Examples include slipping on a wet floor at Publix, tripping over an extension cord in a hotel hall, or falling down steps because of a loose bannister.

If you suffer serious injuries in a slip, trip, or fall, our attorneys can evaluate what happened and help you seek compensation from the property owner. This can help prevent similar injuries to customers and patrons in the future.

Contact Our Polk County Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Review

A debilitating injury can happen anywhere and to anyone. If you or a loved one suffered harm because of another person’s negligent action or inaction, the team at Howell & Thornhill, P.A. is here to help. To speak with trusted personal injury lawyers near you, contact our Polk County law firm. We have offices in Haines City, Lake Wales, Lakeland, and Winter Haven, FL.

Legal Help for Catastrophic and Fatal Injuries

The phrase “catastrophic injuries” is used to describe injuries that significantly affect a person’s life, quality of life, and lifestyle. They typically affect a person’s physical mobility as well as their cognitive abilities. Permanent disabilities are counted among these kinds of injuries.

Our Polk County personal injury lawyers will fight to secure damage to address the lasting effects of these serious injuries.

Scarring and Disfigurement

A major scar, burn, or other kinds of physical disfigurement could remain visible even after reconstructive surgery. These injuries could be debilitating and the source of self-consciousness.

Loss of Limbs

Some serious accidents lead to the loss of a limb or multiple limbs. Life changes greatly for accident survivors, often requiring them to use a prosthesis or assistive devices in daily life.

Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injuries

Severe trauma to a person’s back or neck could damage the spinal cord, leading to partial paralysis, paraplegia (loss of use of the lower limbs), or quadriplegia (loss of use of all limbs).

Fatal Injuries and Accidents

When accidents prove fatal, the surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim against the person or party who caused or contributed to the deadly accident.

Compensation in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

In a personal injury claim, our attorneys can help you negotiate a settlement or seek damages to cover these and other losses.

Medical Bills and Health Expenses

Our lawyers can help you seek compensation to cover the cost of hospitalization, emergency care, ongoing medical treatments, and physical rehabilitation costs associated with the accident.

Lost Wages and Impact on Earning Potential

If a serious accident led to you missing work or taking medical leave, our personal injury attorneys can seek compensation to cover this loss of income. We can also seek compensation for loss of future earnings if the accident caused a permanent disability.

Damage to Belongings and Personal Property

Our lawyers can seek compensation to address repair or replacement of any personal items or belongings that were destroyed or damaged during an accident.

Compensation After a Fatal Accident

If you lose a spouse or family member in a fatal accident, our attorneys can help you seek compensation for funeral costs, grief counseling, and the many other losses associated with the absence of that person in your life.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyer Polk County Law Firm

You don’t have to face insurance companies alone. You can count on Howell & Thornhill, P.A. to provide sound legal guidance during a personal injury claim. We’ve served the people of Central Florida since 1975, we intend to keep looking out for people just like you.

To get a free case review with a trusted and proven personal injury lawyer near you, contact our law offices in Polk County.