Personal Injury Lawyers Near Me
The term personal injury refers to accidents that are caused due to the negligent actions of another party. Because these events are often avoidable, injured individuals have the right to take legal action and file a claim against an at-fault party. For best results, finding personal injury lawyers near you can significantly improve the outcome of a claim.
At Howell & Thornhill, P.A., we work diligently to secure justice and compensation for our clients. For more than 50 years, our team has listened and fought for clients just like you to ensure that they can recover their losses and their lives. We handle all the logistics and negotiations in a case so you can stay focused on healing from the injuries you have suffered. You can be confident that we have got you and your case during this challenging time.
Howell & Thornhill, P.A., Can Represent You in a Variety of Personal Injury Cases Across Polk County
The team at Howell & Thornhill, P.A. has helped more than 10,000 clients across a broad spectrum of case types and nuanced circumstances. We understand the various factors at play, have connections throughout the community and justice system, and know how to deal with the insurance companies. We also have an investigator on staff to help us serve our clients better. Our team can represent you when you have suffered from the accidents below.
Car Accidents
Car accidents, unfortunately, happen on a regular basis and cause injuries ranging from minor to severe. Injured motorists can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover losses. For collisions with an uninsured driver, claims must be filed with your own insurance. Complications can arise when dealing with insurance companies, and a lawyer near you can demand that they treat you fairly so you can recover maximum compensation in your case.
Truck Accidents
Trucks can cause massive damage in an accident due to their size, weight, and inability to maneuver quickly. The trucking industry is also heavily regulated, and many parties are involved in trucking operations. Determining liability is often complex, as drivers may not be the only party responsible for the accident. Truck companies, cargo loaders, maintenance technicians, and manufacturers may also be held liable if their negligence contributed to the accident.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists can easily go unnoticed by other motorists, which elevates their risk of getting in a motorcycle accident. The combination of their speed and lack of outer protection can cause severe injuries in a collision with a vehicle. Broken bones, burns, internal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries are all potential damage that motorcycle drivers may sustain. Motorists can be held liable for not taking the proper precautionary measures when driving near a motorcycle.
Boating Accidents
Surrounded by beautiful, local lakes and only an hour from the ocean, Polk County boasts many boating opportunities for residents and visitors. However, boaters who do not follow boating rules or safety measures can cause collisions with other watercraft or swimmers, depending on the location. Boat owners are generally liable for injuries they cause, and boating companies may also be held accountable if the accident was caused in the course of employment.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable when a bicycle accident occurs. Minimal protective elements and gear leave cyclists exposed to the full force of impact in a collision. Brain and internal injuries are just a couple of serious conditions that individuals could sustain. Drivers who do not take sufficient steps to check for bike riders while driving may be held accountable for the damage they cause and must pay the injured party’s medical bills and other losses.
Work Injury Accidents
Work injuries can cause severe harm and affect an individual’s ability to work. Whether the accident causes a short-term injury or a permanent disability, losses can be extensive. While most work injuries can be covered under workers’ compensation, there may be times when you may need additional compensation or need to file a third-party claim. It is vital to hire a local personal injury law firm to help in these situations to protect both your rights and your well-being.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners have an obligation to guests and visitors to ensure they are safe while on the premises. In a slip and fall accident, individuals can sustain injuries caused by slippery surfaces, uneven flooring, pavement, or stairs, carpeting damage, and poorly lit areas. Owners owe different levels of care to individuals who are considered invitees, licensees, or trespassers. This impacts the extent to which they may be held liable in the event of an accident and injury.
Defective Products
Products can be defective through flaws in the design, manufacturing, or in the way they are marketed to the public. Faulty products can cause serious injuries to unsuspecting consumers. Defective products can also impact vehicles and machinery, as well as cause exposure to toxic substances. Manufacturers and engineers are supposed to maintain high safety standards and testing measures, and failure to take necessary protections can make them liable for harm.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Dogs and other animals can cause extensive or irreparable harm. According to Florida’s dog bite law, owners are held strictly liable for injuries from a dog or other animal. This means that they are expected to maintain full control over their animal, and are responsible for an injured party’s losses even if the animal has no prior history of biting or aggression. Dog bites can cause serious injuries to victims, and the risk of infection is elevated in these types of injuries.
Wrongful Deaths
An accident that is caused by negligence and results in a fatality is known as a wrongful death. When this happens, surviving family members have the right to file a claim on behalf of the decedent to claim any compensation they would have been entitled to had they lived. The damages and insurance policy benefits can be used to help loved ones manage the expenses and losses arising from the decedent’s untimely death. These cases can be complex to resolve.
Negligence Must be Established as Part of Your Personal Injury Claim in Lakeland, FL
Negligence is a common cause of accidents and is the foundation for a personal injury claim. This must be shown as part of a case, even if there is no doubt about the other party’s carelessness. It must become an established fact before additional action can be taken. A personal injury attorney near you from our law firm will work to satisfy each of the following elements of the standard of negligence in your claim:
- Duty of care: Individuals, companies, and property owners each have responsibilities to those around them or those under their care. They are entrusted with keeping others from harm by acting responsibly, cautiously, and taking steps to prevent or resolve hazards.
- Breach of duty: When any of these parties fail to uphold their obligations through action or inaction, they violate their duty and threaten the safety of others.
- Causation: Unsafe actions become the catalyst for an accident, which then directly links the accident and your injuries together. It also established the event’s avoidability by tying it back to the party’s actions.
- Damages: Parties who are found to be responsible for inflicting harm on others through negligence are held accountable and required to pay damages to the injured party.
To ensure you have a strong case and can demonstrate each of the elements above, be sure to talk with your lawyer about the quantity and quality of the evidence in your case. Based on this, they can provide counsel on how to proceed with your case. Your lawyer will also help determine the most effective strategies to use when establishing negligence in your case.
Modified Comparative Negligence Accommodates Complex Cases
Like most things in life, accidents are not always black and white. Liability may not always be clear, or you may be found partially to blame for causing the accident. Florida law accommodates these situations by using modified comparative fault to determine liability and compensation by extension. This practice allows those with minimal fault to still recover some of their losses, even though it is to a lesser degree.
After an accident, each party’s actions and role in the accident are closely examined. Based on these factors, parties are assigned a percentage that represents their contribution. Parties assigned 50% or less fault may recover compensation that has been reduced by their level of fault. Conversely, any party who contributed to the accident by more than 50% is not allowed to recover any damages, despite sustained injuries.
Lessen the Impact of a Personal Injury Accident with Compensation
Another party’s negligent actions can profoundly impact the quality of your life and financial situation. Without the right resources to cover your losses, these unexpected circumstances can cause considerable hardship. Damages are designed to be the lifeline that helps you return to a state of wholeness as much as possible. Losses that you can recover through compensation may include a combination of the following:
- Emergency and diagnostic medical care
- Rehabilitative therapy and treatment
- Home accommodations and equipment
- Property damage repair or replacement costs
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- End-of-life, funeral, and burial costs
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment and companionship
- Emotional distress
- PTSD, depression, and anxiety
What you are entitled to recover in a claim will generally reflect the specific losses that you suffered. Losses that have a monetary value are calculated by adding up the cost of each, while losses born out of pain and suffering are calculated by their own formula. Our personal injury lawyers near you can help you determine what you may be able to claim in your case and how much it is worth. We will also negotiate the maximum settlement on your behalf.
Punitive Damages
In rare but extreme accidents, the at-fault party may also be required to pay you punitive damages if they caused you severe harm due to gross negligence. When issued, these losses are paid in addition to the other losses listed above, and are designed to punish the wrongdoer while providing for the extremity of your losses. Talk to our local personal injury lawyers to see if your case may qualify for punitive damages.
Statute of Limitations on Compensation in Florida
The ability to file a claim is limited to a rather short amount of time. Many claims in Florida must be filed within two years of the date on which they occurred. To learn what your options are and ensure the statute of limitations does not expire, consult a lawyer as soon as possible. Be sure to account for the time it may take to resolve your case, so you do not miss out on damages.
Contingency Fees Make Legal Services Accessible
Our personal injury lawyers near you will not charge you any fees unless they win your case. More than that, they will only collect from an awarded settlement or verdict, so you do not have to worry about paying legal expenses. This structure ensures that representation is accessible when you are most in need of an advocate in your case.
Contingency fees often provide clients greater peace of mind knowing that a lawyer truly has their interests at heart during the case. This alignment creates a better attorney-client relationship and ensures both parties are working together to reach a common goal.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers Near Me Law Firm
Howell & Thornhill, P.A., is equipped to secure results when you are suffering from injuries caused by a negligent party. Our compassionate team uses our resources to aggressively advocate for you against insurance companies and at-fault parties. Your well-being and future are important to us, and we help you navigate the legal process so you receive a settlement you are satisfied with. Schedule a free consultation with our team when you contact us today