Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties Whittel & Melton, LLC

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.

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MANATEE COUNTY, FL – It’s going to take lots of time and money, specifically over $146 million to restore properties that have taken a hit from the deafening Hurricane Milton. 

County authorities told MySunCoast News that commercial property damages amounted to more than $16 million, while residential homes at $130 million. The hurricane, which was listed as a Category 3 hurricane, has totaled 19 homes and affected more than 2,000 buildings. More than 500 homes have also experienced some minor damage. 

Daily life after this tumultuous storm has also taken a daily toll on the lives of residents across the board. Regular commuters have had to experience some downed traffic lights and power outages are still frequent. 

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Since Hurricane Milton made landfall last Wednesday, records show that a total of 65 homes have been destroyed and 762 homes were significantly damaged. 

This information comes from the Pinellas County Residential Damage Assessment for Hurricane Milton, which also indicates that 2,276 homes sustained minor damage. 

Images from NBC News also highlights some examples of affected homes in the Twin City Mobile Home Park, including two mobile homes with significant damages to the roofs, which were either completely or nearly knocked to the ground. One completely totaled home was shown with a large tree leaning against it, and building debris, including a large amount of plywood, scattered about. Another home could be seen with its door frames, flooring, and walls torn apart. 

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TAMPA, FL – A woman in her 70s died Thursday after being struck by a falling tree branch in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall just the day before. 

This incident occurred before 11 a.m. on North Nebraska Avenue, amid hurricane reconstruction efforts and the debris cleanup procedure, WFLA reports. 

The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, succumbed to her injuries at the scene before officers arrived. At this time, police believe this event was an accident but will continue their investigation and work to determine whether other factors played a part. 

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Even Tropicana Field Stadium’s roof panels were no match for the dangerous Hurricane Milton, as most were torn apart due to the 101 mph winds. 

According to Fox 13 News, the winds were strong enough to break through the fiberglass, only sparing two roof panels. 

Tropicana Field, while home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays year round, was set to become a temporary housing shelter and evacuation center for St. Petersburg residents. However, due to some concerns about the structural integrity, authorities who okayed the set-up soon called off this project. 

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Three men, between the ages of 25 to 40, had to go to the hospital after their plane crashed and submerged into Tampa Bay waters Tuesday. 

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue told Tampa Bay Times that the four passengers were coming from Albert Whitted Airport, located in downtown St. Petersburg, when their Cherokee private plane, experienced a mechanical failure, causing the plane to descend from the sky. 

Immediately after the plane submerged, a good samaritan operating a boat saw what unfolded and rushed to the aid of the four passengers and their small dog, rescuing them all from the area. 

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As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, Hurricane Milton’s wind speeds have picked back up to 155 mph and is anticipated to make landfall this week over Florida’s west coast as at least a category 3 storm.

You can follow the latest updates here.

Here is what residents can expect county by county:

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Pinellas County officials are investigating the circumstances behind a Friday afternoon crash on Bay Pines Boulevard East that prompted closures. 

First responders announced this collision and closure around 12:56 p.m., WTSP and a Pinellas Traffic X post revealed. All lanes have reopened since. 

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Lealman firefighters had to rescue 15 people from the flooded 42nd Avenue neighborhood seen along a sea of impacted homes on Friday following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Fire crews did not comment on whether anyone was injured. However, photos from ABC Action News indicate that the impacts of the flooding and aftermath of the hurricane left several belongings scattered across the street – drawers, wardrobes, desks, lumbar, and more all left after the storm. While some homes remain standing, according to the Residential Damage Assessment for Pinellas County for Pinellas County, 10,483 have been negatively impacted after this heavy storm. To date, reports show that 146 homes have been completely destroyed, while 5,187 homes sustained major damage, and 3,718 were left with minor damage. In addition, 1,792 homes were hit by Hurricane Helene, but no structural damage was reported.

Residents in this area, along with thousands in St. Petersburg, are left with no choice but to find new homes.

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Hurricane Helene, the strongest storm to strike the Tampa Bay area in 103 years, claimed the lives of 12 people after making landfall on September 26, 2024. Pinellas County, which spans a 20-mile (32-kilometer) strip of barrier islands from St. Petersburg to Clearwater, suffered the most damage. In minutes, mansions, apartments, townhomes, beautifully colored single-family homes, mobile homes, restaurants, pubs, and shops were all destroyed or severely damaged.

Throughout the past century, the Tampa Bay area has been exceptionally fortunate. The total population of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding areas has increased from roughly 300,000 to over 3 million since the last significant hurricane made landfall in 1921.

Over the years, numerous hurricanes have threatened Tampa Bay, but they invariably miss the region entirely and head straight north into the Panhandle or the Florida peninsula to the south.

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NORTH PORT, FL – At least one person lost their life in a two-vehicle crash on I-75 near River Road Monday, YourSun reports. 

Florida Highway Patrol shut down I-75 South between Jacaranda Boulevard and River Road for their investigation and for the crews’ scene clearance process. 

FHP has not stated the age and gender of the deceased person nor disclosed the events that led to this crash. 

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