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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TAMPA, FL – First responders took a motorcyclist to a hospital after they were hit by a driver of a vehicle at North 22nd Street and East Chelsea Street Sunday. 

Police told ABC Action News that they arrived at the crash site after 6:30 p.m. and closed all lanes to accommodate the scene clearance and investigation process.

All lanes have reopened since. 

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Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 544, a bill that allows children in Florida to obtain free swimming lessons.
As per the law, the state Department of Health must create a network of providers of swimming lessons to take part in the swimming lesson voucher program.

Families earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level—that is, $60,000 for a family of four—will have their lesson fees paid for by the program.

Families must have one or more children who are four years of age or younger to qualify.

The law includes $500,000 to fund the voucher program.

The law, which was introduced on November 20, 2023, aims to improve water safety in Florida.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that two children under the age of 14 drown every day in the United States, accounting for an average of 4,000 annual deaths. Drowning ranks as the primary cause of death for kids between the ages of 1 and 4 and the second most common cause of mortality linked to unintentional injuries for kids between the ages of 1 and 14.

In 2023, 97 children in Florida drowned, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Children three years of age and under accounted for 74% of the fatalities.

Republican Sen. Travis Hutson of District 7 proposed the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024.

Aquatic fun is a summer rite of passenger for children. While swimming is a fun sport for children, it is critical to prioritize safety to avoid accidents and provide a worry-free experience for everyone.

Supervision is a Must:
Never undervalue the need of an adult watching over a child while they swim. Assign the kids to a designated watcher whose only duty it is to supervise them, particularly in busy places or in naturally occurring bodies of water where currents might be erratic. Steer clear of distractions that could draw attention away from the beach or pool, such as being on your phone, engaging in conversation with others, or even having a drink with friends.

Take Swimming Lessons:
Think about signing up for swim lessons for your child based on their age. Swimming gives students the necessary water safety abilities in addition to boosting their confidence. With this new law in place providing free swim lessons, you can find trustworthy swim programs or instructors who have received child swim instructor certification. In an emergency, simple abilities like treading water or floating can make a big difference.

Secure Pool Areas:
If you have a pool at home, use proper barriers such fences with self-latching gates to prevent unauthorized entry. Consider attaching alarms to pool gates or surface motion sensors to notify you if someone enters the pool area without your knowledge. Maintain and examine pool equipment on a regular basis to make sure it is operating properly.

First Aid and CPR Training:
Arm yourself with these life-saving skills. Being able to perform CPR or provide basic first aid in an emergency can save lives. First aid and CPR courses are provided by numerous community organizations; some are designed especially for parents and other caregivers of small children.

Establish Pool Rules:
If you have a pool at home, set explicit and non-negotiable safety guidelines. Stress how dangerous it is to dive into shallow water, run around the pool, or swim unsupervised. Educate your child about pool risks such as drains and filters, and make sure they understand the importance of always following your pool rules.

Wear the Appropriate Safety Gear:
Purchase the proper safety equipment, such as floaties or life jackets, especially for younger kids or inexperienced swimmers. Make sure life jackets are approved by the US Coast Guard and fit correctly. Remember that these devices are not a substitute for supervision, and children should still be constantly observed while wearing them.

Swimming is a great way for kids to burn off some of their never-ending energy, but their safety should always come first. Implementing these suggestions and establishing a culture of water safety awareness will allow you to enjoy a stress-free and happy swimming experience with your child, knowing that you have taken the essential precautions to keep them safe. Continue reading

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CLEARWATER BEACH, FL – One person sustained serious wounds in a water-related accident along Opal Sands Resort Friday, WFLA

First responders rescued the person from the water around 7 p.m. and then took them to a hospital, where they are recovering. 

Clearwater Police did not specify if this was a boat collision, a drowning-related incident, or some other accident. Any new developments that are confirmed will be included in an updated news article. 

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TARPON SPRINGS, FL – A 63-year-old man driving a Jaguar SUV struck a 75-year-old woman riding a bicycle, leading the cyclist to die from her injuries Tuesday. 

According to FOX 13 News, the cyclist was pursuing a left turn on Bryan Lane, along Cypress Lakes Boulevard, in front of the driver. As a result, the car made contact with the bicycle, and the woman fell off. 

The woman succumbed to fatal wounds at the scene, Florida Highway Patrol said. At this time, troopers did not mention any pending citations or charges filed against the driver from Palm Harbor or revealed if he sustained injuries. 

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SARASOTA, FL – A 71-year-old adult died, and several were injured following a multi-vehicle wreck caused by a driver who ran a red light Tuesday. 

Florida Highway Patrol told My SunCoast that the collision happened at U.S. 301 and Northgate Boulevard. After the driver ran a red light, their car overturned after colliding with three vehicles that stopped at the red light and then rear-ended one of the automobiles. 

The passenger inside the overturned vehicle, a 71-year-old adult, died at the scene. FHP does not publicly identify the names of those killed in motor vehicle collisions but was able to confirm that the occupant was from Bradenton. 

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TAMPA, FL – A 32-year-old man was suspected of impairment when he crashed his Land Rover SUV into two sedans, leading it to overturn and catch fire, injuring himself and the two drivers. 

FOX13 News said this crash happened around 1 a.m. Saturday on West Kennedy Boulevard, approaching Westland Avenue. The sedans were seriously damaged, and the three motorists were rescued by some helping hands — two off-duty EMTS and two nurses — who sprung into action. Six minutes later, emergency responders arrived at the scene and took all three individuals to a hospital. 

The 32-year-old man, identified as Adrain Jacinto, was arrested for DUI that resulted in personal injury or damage. 

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TAMPA, FL – A 38-year-old man driving a 2007 Dodge Charger fled the scene after he struck a moped operator, which claimed their life Friday. 

ABC Action News said this crash happened before 4 a.m. on East Hillsborough Avenue. Both the suspect, identified as Nicholas Harrison, who was later arrested, was going east, as was the moped operator when both collided with each other. 

Police said the moped got stuck inside the front of the Dodge before getting removed. Police were able to find Harrsion’s vehicle, which led them to him when Harrison turned himself in. 

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TAMPA, FL – A pedestrian was declared dead at the scene upon getting struck by a driver of a vehicle in the Temple Terrace district Thursday. 

Tampa Police told WFLA they arrived at the scene after 11 p.m., indicating the collision happened at East Busch Boulevard and North 50th Street

Officers shut down eastbound Busch Boulevard, between 50th Street and Del Rey Court, for several hours before lifting the closure at 6 a.m. 

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – An 87-year-old woman died from her injuries on Tuesday, April 16th,  nearly two weeks after she was struck by a white Toyota Camry.

Fox 13 News said this crash happened before 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 4th, when the woman, later identified as Ann Lee Nell Baker, driving a bronze Ford Escape, was pursuing a left turn at the 24th Avenue North and Dr. MLK Jr. Street intersection and came into contact with a white Toyota Camry, resulting in the collision. 

While it is unclear if the other driver was injured, police did confirm they stayed at the scene and will not be facing charges or citations for their involvement in this crash. 

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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. 

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