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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ODESSA, FL – A woman’s life was claimed, and three children were left in critical condition following a head-on wreck north of Lake Rogers Park Friday. 

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told The Tampa Bay Times that the events unfolded before 3:45 p.m. when one driver going north on Gunn Highway had drifted into the southbound lanes and struck another vehicle. 

Deputies said the woman and her kids were traveling in the second automobile. The woman perished while her children are currently recovering. 

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CLEARWATER, FL – An 85-year-old woman was transported to a hospital where she later died after crashing her Cadillac STS into a bridge pillar last Tuesday, Feb 25. 

This solo collision happened after 1 p.m. on U.S. 19 near Bellair Road, according to IONTB. Prior to striking the pillar, the woman struck a curb, which caused her tires to default. Then, she hit a median before hitting the final object. 

Authorities did not release the victim’s name, only stating that she was a St. Petersburg resident. 

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SARASOTA, FL – A hit-and-run crash left a bicyclist in critical condition and led to a Massachusetts man’s arrest Thursday, WFLA reports. 

The suspect, later identified as John Figgie, had veered into the U.S. 41 bike lane and struck the 78-year-old male cyclist, a local, before hitting a van and continuing northbound. Figgie went on to strike an additional vehicle before Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested and booked him into jail. 

FHP said Figgie was charged with “leaving the scene of a serious injury crash and several other moving violations.” 

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TAMPA, FL – Homes aren’t the only places affected by Hurricane Milton. Tampa nonprofits, like the historic Dr. Walter L. The Smith Library library building, was also impacted by the devastating hurricane that claimed 32 lives in the U.S. alone in October. 

FOX 13 News said the 117-year-old library and museum building, which was established in 2005 to honor the seventh Florida A&M University president known for civil rights activism, has an estimated $500,000 dollars in damages. Some of the damages included destroyed floors and a torn roof. 

Walter Smith II, who is in charge of the museum’s operations and upkeep, plans to redo the floors and the roof and said it would take $50,000 to make that restoration goal a reality. 

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TAMPA, FL – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it was 26-year-old Jesus Manuel Nieves, an off-duty deputy, who struck a pedestrian with his car on Tuesday.

New details from Tampa Bay Times indicate that Nieves was operating a Chevy Tahoe when he struck a pedestrian, an unidentified 30-year-old man, at West Hillsborough Avenue and Memorial Highway.

The walker was trying to cross Memorial Highway. Reports verified that Nieves not only remained at the scene but also provided medical assistance to the pedestrian.

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TAMPA, FL – A pedestrian suffered serious injuries after they were hit by an off-duty Hillsborough County deputy in Town ‘n’ Country Tuesday. 

The crash happened at 9 p.m. at the intersection of West Hillsborough Avenue and Memorial Highway, according to WTSP. EMS crews immediately rushed the walker to a hospital for treatment. 

The circumstances leading to the wreck remain unclear, but authorities said they believe the incident was “accidental.” 

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BRADENTON, FL – An 85-year-old woman with dementia lost her life after she was struck by a Hyundai Sonata in a Bradenton neighborhood Friday. 

The incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. at the intersection of Woodlawn Drive and Wildwood Springs Boulevard, according to the Bradenton Herald. After the woman was hit, she perished at the scene. Florida Highway Patrol said that prior to the lady getting hit, she collapsed in front of her home. Troopers confirmed the woman had suffered from dementia and was prone to falling regularly. 

The female driver, 60 and local to the area, stayed at the scene and said she did not see the victim and was unable to avoid hitting her. Authorities anticipate that she will not face criminal charges. 

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PLANT CITY, FL – As of Monday, a woman who was responsible for being impaired and causing a fatal crash in Plant City in 2021 is expected to face several decades in prison. 

FOX 13 News said the woman, Jennifer Carvajal, is expected to face anywhere between 31 years to life in prison. Her official sentencing is scheduled for May 30. 

Last week, Carvjal was offered a plea deal, which included 50 years of prison time. Her lawyer tried to bargain for 25 years, which the state denied. On Monday, Feb 24., Carvajal opted for an open plea rather than going through a trial jury. As such, she will face the following charges: DUI manslaughter, Vehicular homicide, DUI with serious bodily injury (three counts), Reckless driving with serious bodily injury, Driving with license suspended or revoked, DUI, 2nd conviction, DUI with property damage or personal injury (two counts). 

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TAMPA, FL – Authorities were dispatched to a collision involving a semi-truck Thursday afternoon on Interstate 275, north of downtown Tampa, according to FOX 13 News.

The wreck occurred on the northbound highway at the interchange to eastbound I-4. Tampa Fire Rescue personnel responded to the area at around 2:30 p.m.

While the events leading up to the crash have not been made public, photos taken at the scene indicate that the semi came to rest on top of an unspecified vehicle.

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SEFFNER, FL – Hillsborough County deputies arrested a teenager responsible for a hit-and-run crash that sent a woman to a hospital Tuesday, ABC Action News reports. 

Deputies suspect the teenager was driving a black Honda when they struck the woman at the intersection of County Road 579 and Clay Pit Road around 5:30 p.m. Officials later located the teenager and arrested and charged them with leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury.

EMS crews said the victim was set to receive treatment for a variety of lacerations, including a possible broken leg. 

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