Accidents caused by other people's negligence are by their very nature, unplanned. It's for this reason that when an accident happens, victims may find themselves bridled with injury, pain and financial losses, not knowing which way to turn.
Being involved in an accident can be one of the most unsettling and devastating times in a person's life. During this time, having a seasoned attorney on your side, looking out for your best interest, can be the difference between becoming whole or struggling with pain and financial loss for years to come. If you are a victim of an accident, who you select as your attorney is the most important decision you need to make.
We are here to help.The Tampa Bay Personal Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton guarantee that our clients receive the personalized attention they deserve. Our first priority is doing everything in our power to fight for full and fair compensation for your injury and loss.
Our Pinellas and Hillsborough County personal injury practice involves every type of injury case-- from serious car or motorcycle accidents to slip and falls to premises liability. The first step we take with our prospective clients is to schedule a free consultation to discuss the facts of the case. Our St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyers then will offer advice about options to seek financial recovery following a serious accident, catastrophic injury or the wrongful death of a loved one. We represent clients on injury claims arising from of a wide range of incidents and accidents. Click any area to the left to learn more about the scope of our practice.
If you have been in an accident, we don't think that you should have to suffer unnecessarily just because you were involved in an accident and are awaiting resolution to your case. While we cannot take the pain away, many times, we are able to refer you to Doctors who will treat and manage your pain, even if you don't have health insurance.
We Stand with You.Most importantly, at Whittel & Melton, you can be confident that we will stand behind you and your case. Once we commit to representing you, we will never put you or your claim on the back burner, and we are available by phone 24 hours a day.
We promise to aggressively pursue the parties and insurance companies involved in your case to obtain justice for you and your loved ones. Through financial settlement or trial, we will prepare your case to achieve maximum compensation. You will never be responsible for any attorney's fees unless and until there is a successful financial recovery for your damages. Simply put, we will not be satisfied until you are.
We are proud to help accident victims throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties – including Tampa, Brandon, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida.
Please call us at anytime. We are available 24 hours a day. (813) 221-3200, (727) 823-0000, (866) 608-5529.
TEMPLE TERRACE, FL – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is investigating the circumstances behind a crash that injured at least one person Wednesday.
This collision happened at the Davis Road and Temple Terrace Highway. Deputies indicated they arrived at the scene before 9 p.m.
Our deputies do not have additional information available, including the kinds of people and vehicles involved or whether the wounded person had to go to a hospital.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – An 11-year-old girl and another passenger from a minivan were sent to the hospital after they were struck by a speeding driver who ran a red light while fleeing from police.
WTSP said the events leading up to this crash started at 9 a.m. on Monday when a St. Petersburg officer tried to pull over the speeding driver on 1st Avenue South, who was operating a Mercedes SUV without a valid tag that was said to have been temporary and fake. The Mercedes driver — 19-year-old Ajaye Morrer — ignored the offer’s order and drove away, thus initiating the pursuit.
A short time after driving away, Morrer then struck the minivan on 31st Street South. The chase was terminated, and Morrer was apprehended by police.
TAMPA, FL – A 28-year-old man operating a Suzuki motorcycle lost his life after a Cadallic XTS driver hit his bike, ejecting him from the bike and leading it to catch fire Saturday.
ABC Action News said this collision happened before 9:30 p.m. when the motorcyclist was supposedly going at a high speed when he collided with the Cadillac driver trying to turn left at the Hillsborough Avenue and Montague Street junction. As a result, the motorcyclist died at the scene, and the driver, a 67-year-old man, sustained minor injuries.
TAMPA, FL – First responders took two women to a hospital and declared a man dead at the scene after their car collided with a tree and caught on fire Thursday.
This single-vehicle wreck occurred around 4 a.m. in the area of North 40th Street and River Hills Drive, which is along River Hills Country Club, WFLA said.
Tampa Police shut down the roundabout to conduct their investigation and to accommodate the scene clearance procedure.
TAMPA, FL – A driver of a sedan crashed into another vehicle and then into a fence, resulting in it coming to rest against the fence, injuring both drivers Wednesday.
ABC Action News said the events unfolded when, before 7 a.m., the sedan driver went from eastbound Bush Boulevard into the westbound directions and then hit the second vehicle — a white car. The white car was hit on its passenger side, and the impact led it to sustain significant front-end damage.
First responders revealed both drivers were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries. They started an investigation and have not released other details at this time.
CLEARWATER, FL – A 75-year-old woman was left with critical, life-threatening injuries after she was struck by a driver of a dark-colored SUV who fled the scene Tuesday.
WFLA said this collision happened before 8:45 p.m. in the 1800 block of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard along Rumba Island Bar & Grill. Upon arrival, an ambulance took the woman to a local hospital, where she is recovering.
Clearwater Police started an investigation but do not have additional details at this time. They advise who has any information on this collision, or the suspect is urged to contact the department at the phone number listed in the initial source.
TAMPA, FL – Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the events behind a crash that injured at least one person in the East Lake-Orient area Tuesday.
FHP were summoned to East Adamo Drive and South Ware Boulevard after 4 p.m. and arrived at the crash site after 4:30 p.m.
Troopers did not reveal the cause of this collision or say if anyone was taken to a hospital.
There are many intersections that are deemed dangerous by Hillsborough County residents, but the latest intersection under scrutiny is the left turn from Maydell Drive to Adamo Drive, just east of 50th Street, especially during rush hour traffic times.
This is an open intersection where motorists must wait for both directions of traffic to clear before they can turn left. Drivers that are sitting in the middle waiting back up traffic on northbound Maydell.
There is no traffic light or turn lane at this busy intersection.
Over half of all crashes resulting in fatalities or injuries happen at or close to intersections, according to data from the Federal Highway Administration. It can be challenging to maneuver through intersections. At any given time, there can be several cars turning or crossing the intersection. If you are hurt in an intersection collision due to another driver’s carelessness, you may be entitled to just compensation for your losses.
What Are the Most Common Types of Intersection Accidents?
The following are a few of the most typical kinds of intersection crashes:
T-Bone Collisions: When two cars collide side by side, creating the letter “T,” the collision is known as a T-bone. These collisions frequently occur when one car turns into the path of approaching vehicles. Because of the minimal safety features on the sides of vehicles, these intersection accidents often result in severe injuries.
Front-End Crashes: These automobile collisions happen when two cars hit each other head-on. For instance, one motorist might not yield to the other’s right of way and collide head-on. Front-end crashes can cause catastrophic injuries due to the force of impact, such as traumatic brain injuries and fractured bones.
Rear-end Collisions: A rear-end collision happens when one vehicle collides with the back of the car in front of it. When drivers are preoccupied or follow too closely, rear-end collisions frequently happen at crossings.
Accidents at Crosswalks: A crosswalk collision occurs when a vehicle runs over a pedestrian in the crosswalk or when other drivers collide with cars that have stopped or slowed for pedestrians at the crossing.
Pile-Up Crashes: Multiple automobiles colliding with one another is known as a pile-up accident. The collision might have been caused by the carelessness of one or more drivers. Without the assistance of an intersection accident lawyer, these crashes can be challenging to handle because they may include numerous accountable parties and insurance companies.
If you were injured in an intersection automobile accident caused by another driver’s negligent actions, such as speeding or distracted driving, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your injuries. If you lost a loved one in an intersection crash, you may be able to seek justice by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
How Can I Prove Negligence in an Intersection Accident?
Accidents at intersections happen every day. But proving that the collision was caused by the carelessness of another driver can be challenging. By examining the following crash-related evidence, our Tampa Intersection Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can assist in proving negligence:
RIVERVIEW, FL – No one sustained any injuries in a crash reported at Bullfrog Creek and Big Bend Road along Vance Vogel Park.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrived at the scene before 7:30 p.m. They did not specify the events that led to this motor vehicle accident or said if anyone needed to go to a hospital.
To keep pedestrians safe, the Largo Police Department is increasing its patrols to reduce collisions with bicyclists and pedestrians.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Largo Police Department are collaborating on a high-visibility initiative aimed at enhancing pedestrian and bike safety within the city. The campaign runs through May.
With that said, Largo PD will be stopping those who are not following laws, like crosswalk violations, jaywalking, failure to yield, and bike light infractions.
Officers typically use these stops as teaching opportunities, passing out safety supplies like bike lights or pamphlets with information for pedestrians. Repeat violators can receive a ticket.
The goal of this initiative is pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
So far in 2024, preliminary data from FLHSMV has shown that Pinellas County saw 174 total bicycle crashes, resulting in 1 fatality and 105 pedestrian accidents, resulting in five deaths. Data from 2023 shows 8,394 bicycle accidents, resulting in 224 fatalities. Pedestrian crashes in Pinellas County for 2023 reached 10,278, resulting in 779 fatalities.
How Can I Steer Clear of a Pedestrian Accident in Pinellas County?
Even though you cannot control what other people do, there are a few things you can do to lessen the likelihood that you will be involved in a pedestrian collision.
As a pedestrian, you can prevent being struck by a car by taking the following precautions:
What Are the Next Steps After a Pedestrian Accident in Pinellas County?
Knowing what to do after being hit by a car while on foot is critical for protecting your rights and legal options if you are seriously hurt.
For clients and families dealing with the tragedy of a major or deadly accident, our Pinellas County pedestrian accident lawyers have a demonstrated history of success in pursuing personal injury and wrongful death cases. Continue reading
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