Car Accidents

November 9, 2016

School Crossing Guard Struck And Killed By Drunk Driver In St. Pete

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, a pedestrian was struck and killed Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. on 9th Ave. N.

The driver who hit him was charged with DUI manslaughter.

Officials believe the pedestrian, a 72-year-old school crossing guard, was setting up his school zone cones when he was hit by a vehicle.

A witness said a silver Toyota Scion was driving erratically and hit a pickup truck before hitting the man.

The driver also hit a school zone sign and a small tree and kept going several blocks, police said.

The man was pronounced dead at the hospital. He had been a crossing guard for three years. No one else was injured in the accident.

The driver of the Toyota, a 21-year-old man, was charged with DUI manslaughter.

DUI accidents are 100% preventable. Driving while intoxicated hinders a driver’s ability to safely execute the many tasks that can arise on the road. Regardless, many motorists still choose to carelessly get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

A whopping 39% of traffic deaths each year are alcohol related. On that same notes, more than half a million people are injured every year as a result of drunk driving accidents. These numbers include auto accidents and pedestrian accidents.

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury or wrongful death because of a drunk driving accident, our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will fight for your rights and aggressively pursue the damages you deserve. Drinking and driving is no accident, let us help you understand what steps to take next.

October 26, 2016

Rotary Club Of The Gulf Beaches Kicks Off Pedestrian Safety Campaign

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

If you are out strolling along Gulf Boulevard along the beaches anytime soon, you will see some new signs touting pedestrian safety.

There’s more walking along the main beach thoroughfare than anywhere else in Pinellas County, so local agencies want to make sure both drivers and pedestrians remain aware of each other.

As part of the plan to keep safety a priority for walkers and bikers, the local rotary club has produced signs and fliers saying: “SAFETY, a shared responsibility.”

According to the Rotary Club of Gulf Beaches, there are two pedestrian related deaths each year and at least a dozen injuries. That’s in addition to the numerous pedestrian-related car crashes.

Fall is officially upon us, and while Florida temperatures may only drop slightly, the days are getting shorter, so it is important to take a few extra precautions.

Here are a few pedestrian safety tips to keep in mind:

Stay Visible: It is getting darker earlier, so make sure drivers can see you walking – especially at night. Try to only walk in well-lit areas.
Stay Alert: Stay on high alert when walking. Put your phone away and make sure that you are keeping your eye on your surroundings. You should always make sure that you can hear what is going on around you. Avoid wearing headphones when you’re walking so that you can hear cars around you.
Walk In Designated, Safe Locations: Always use crosswalks when they are available and make sure that you cross at a safe time. Stay away from busy roads that put you at a higher risk of suffering an injury.
Avoid Drunk Walking: We all know to avoid drinking and driving, but drinking and walking can be dangerous, too. Alcohol reduces your inhibitions, reflexes and awareness of your surroundings. You want to be fully alert when walking to prevent any unnecessary accidents and/or injuries.

October 20, 2016

Man Killed, 2 Injured In Car Crash in Fort Meade

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 55-year-old man was killed Wednesday evening in a crash in Fort Meade.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the two-vehicle crash occurred at 6:15 p.m. on County Road 630 just east of County Road 555.

Authorities believe a tan 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck being driven by a 27-year-old man was traveling eastbound on CR 630 when, for unknown reasons, went into the westbound lane.

The truck hit a white 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup truck being driven by 55-year-old man, which was heading westbound.

When the 55-year-old saw the oncoming truck in his lane, he attempted to brake and avoid the collision but was unable, officials said. He was not wearing a seatbelt, according to officials, and died at the scene.

The other driver and his 24-year-old passenger had to be extricated from their truck.

Both were airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where they are listed in serious condition.

The investigation is ongoing.

Although it can be tempting to drive without buckling up, Florida law requires everyone to wear a seat belt. Here are a few things you should know about Florida’s seat belt law:

All passengers under 18 years old must wear a seatbelt or be otherwise restrained by a child car seat.
All passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt.
Children 3 and younger must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat.
Children 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child restraint seat or safety belt.
The Driver is responsible for buckling up children.

Unfortunately, even if you are wearing your seatbelt, you can get injured or killed in a car accident. However, by wearing a seatbelt, you are less likely to be severely injured. If you are the victim of a an auto accident in Polk County or the surrounding areas, our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help.

September 27, 2016

Wrong Way Driver Charged With DUI

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 45-year-old woman who drove the wrong way on a north Tampa roadway and caused a crash is now facing DUI charges.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes on West Linebaugh Avenue just before 10 p.m. Friday.

Deputies believe the woman’s car then collided with another vehicle in the intersection of Linebaugh Avenue West and Race Track Road.

Both drivers suffered minor injuries in the crash, but neither driver was transported to the hospital.

The woman was suspected of being under the influence and was subsequently evaluated and arrested for being impaired.

She is facing charges of DUI with property damage or personal injury.

Wrong way collisions occur when a driver is confused or just unaware of the road they are turning on. With that said, it makes sense that a good amount of these accidents involve drunk drivers.

Wrong way collision statistics are pretty staggering:

Nearly 360 people lose their lives every year in wrong-way collisions.
22 percent of wrong way collisions resulted in fatalities.
Nearly 60 percent of wrong way drivers are impaired by alcohol.
Nearly 80 percent of wrong-way accidents occur at night (between 6pm and 6am).
Wrong-way accidents are more likely to occur on weekends.

Wrong way driving accidents are not the most common types of collisions, but they are certainly some of the most deadly. Wrong way accidents usually involve head-on collisions and frequently occur on high-speed roadways.

September 12, 2016

Excessive Speed Appears To Be Factor In Polk County Motorcycle Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A fatal crash occurred Friday evening in Lakeland involving a motorcyclist colliding with a pickup truck.

Officials believe that at approximately 3:20 p.m., a 37-year-old man was traveling southbound on Combee Road. He was riding a 2006 Honda 1000RR motorcycle.

Around the same time, a 70-year-old woman driving a 2002 Ford F 150 was pulling out into Combee Road from the parking lot of the Babcock store near the intersection of Combee and Tanglewood Street.

Deputies believe the woman crossed westbound across Combee Road toward Tanglewood Street, where the bike collided with the truck’s passenger side. The impact from the collision was enough to spin the woman’s truck clockwise, so it came to rest facing north.

The man was thrown from his motorcycle by the collision and sustained critical injuries. He later died while being transported by first responders to Lakeland Regional Hospital.

The woman in the truck was not injured in the crash.

At this time, investigators do not believe impairment was a factor in the crash. It was noted that excessive speeds appear to be a factor.

The man was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Motorcycle riders are more exposed when it comes to the road, which only increases their chances of suffering a serious injury in the event of a motor vehicle accident. What might not cause any damage to a car, could deliver devastating injuries to a motorcycle rider. Broken bones, burns, paralysis, and amputations are common injuries as a result of motorcycle accidents, especially when the accident involved high speeds.

Motorcycle accidents commonly occur due to the following:

Driver distractions
Failure to obey traffic signals
Failure to yield
Unexpected lane changes
Speeding

August 29, 2016

Motorcyclist Killed In Lakeland Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 53-year-old motorcyclist died in a crash with a truck early Monday morning.

It happened around 7 a.m. on Walt Williams Road and Walt William Loop.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2014 Ford F-150 was traveling south on Walt Williams Road.

At the same time, the 53-year-old biker was traveling north on Walt Williams Road on a 2014 Harley-Davidson FXDB.

Troopers believe that as the Ford turned left into a business parking lot, it traveled into the path of the motorcyclist.

Troopers believe the motorcyclist applied the brakes and began to skid in an effort to avoid the collision, but the truck and motorcycle collided.

The biker was transported to Lakeland Regional where he later died from his injuries.

Regardless of how safe a motorcyclist is on the road or how much safety gear they are wearing, many motorcycle accidents result in death. These sudden, unexpected tragedies leave family members and other loved ones feeling lost, sad, confused and even angry.

August 16, 2016

Wrong Way Tampa Crash Results in DUI Arrest

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Tampa man was arrested and charged with DUI after a head-on traffic crash late Saturday night.

Deputies believe the 36-year-old crashed head-on into another vehicle while driving southbound in the northbound lanes on Anderson Road near Hoover Boulevard at approximately 11:15 p.m.

One person suffered minor injuries and was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The man was suspected of being under the influence and a breath test was submitted resulting in a BAC of .173/.168.

The man was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence (over .15) and No Valid Driver’s License.

The Tampa area has seen an unusually high number of wrong way collisions recently. Sometimes knowing what to do in these situations can be the difference between life or death. The following tips can help you and your loved ones stay safe on Tampa highways.

Many wrong-way drivers are on the wrong-side of the road because they are intoxicated. If you have time to react, flash your lights to try and get their attention.
Swerve to the right to help avoid a collision with a wrong-way driver. You will often see wrong-way drivers entering the freeway veering to their right side of the road, or in the fast lane because they think it is the slower traffic lane. If you veer to your right this could prevent a terrible tragedy from occurring.
Stay alert, keep your head up, look ahead on the interstate at least a quarter of a mile so that you can give yourself time to try to see a wrong-way driver that could be coming your way.
Most wrong way collisions result in head-on crashes and sideswipe accidents. Always wear your seatbelt, as this could keep you alive in the event an unfortunate crash cannot be prevented.
Call the cops immediately If you see a driver going the wrong way! Try and report as many facts as you can, such as the year, make, model, location, direction, and license plate number, if possible.

August 8, 2016

Man Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash Thursday Night In Manatee County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man died and several others were injured in Manatee County after being involved in a multi-car collision just after 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

The crash occurred at 14th Street West and 53rd Avenue West.

Reports indicate that a 22-year-old woman driving a Dodge Charger made a left turn into the path of a 17-year-old driving a 2005 Chevy Silverado.

In the bed of the truck was a tire, which troopers believe launched into the air, smashing into the front of a Nissan Titan.

According to reports, the woman had a male passenger in her car who did not survive the accident. The passenger side of her Charger took the brunt of the impact. A 17-year-old passenger in her vehicle was also seriously injured. Her third passenger only suffered minor injuries.

Everyone else involved in the crash suffered minor injuries.

When a multi-vehicle crash occurs, there could be multiple parties to blame. It is important to determine fault in order to determine who is to blame for any injuries or tragic deaths. This must be done by conducting an investigation into the crash site to figure out exactly what happened.

August 4, 2016

Speed May Have Been Factor in St. Petersburg Motorcycle Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was injured in a collision with a vehicle and transported to the hospital early Wednesday morning in St. Pete Beach.

The crash occurred at about 7:30 A.M. near the intersection of Gulf Boulevard and 55th Avenue in St. Pete Beach.

According to investigators, the 20-year-old biker was driving his Honda motorcycle southbound in the median lane of Gulf Boulevard approaching the intersection of 55th Avenue.

The driver of a 2005 Chrysler 300, 39, was making a left westbound turn into the entrance of the TradeWinds Island Resort located at 5500 Gulf Boulevard.

Investigators believe the man’s motorcycle hit the Chrysler 300, ejecting the motorcyclist from the bike and onto the roadway. He was transported to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators do think that speed may have been a factor in the crash. There were no signs of alcohol involved, according to reports.

Speed is one of the main factors when it comes to motorcycle collisions. It is so important to always obey the posted speed limits as speeding can result in serious collisions leading to debilitating injuries, especially for bikers. Motorcyclists lack the protection of a vehicle, like other motorists, which means motorcyclists can easily suffer catastrophic injuries and the driver of the car, truck or SUV involved can walk away unscathed. A helmet can reduce your chances of a head and neck injury, but riders should also take extra precautions including wearing a face shield, closed-toe shoes, gloves, jackets and pants to protect against the abrasion of the road should you crash.

July 20, 2016

July Is Wrong Way Driving Awareness Month: Stay Right At Night

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

There were more than 1,400 wrong way crashes in FL in 2015, resulting in 1,454 injuries & 96 fatalities, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Wrong way driving collisions occur when a vehicle has failed to observe a posted traffic sign or pavement marking and proceeds in a lane travelling in the wrong direction.

Motorists are encouraged to stay in the right lane to avoid a crash with a wrong way driver, especially at night and during transitional light times such as dawn and dusk. In most wrong way wrecks, vehicles are hit head-on, resulting in 81 percent of all wrong way fatalities. Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous crashes, and sadly, result in the most fatalities.

The FLHSMV offers the following safety tips for drivers to avoid a wrong way driving crash:

Stay Right at Night to avoid crashes with wrong way drivers.
Call 911 right away to report wrong way drivers. If you see a wrong way driver approaching, you should reduce your speed right away and pull off the roadway.
Stay alert. Do not drive distracted and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Learn and obey all traffic signs. If you drive past a wrong way sign, turn around immediately. When you see a posted red sign, think about what red traffic sign colors are for: “Stop.” “Do Not Enter.” “Wrong Way.” Orange is used for construction and maintenance warnings. Yellow is for a general warning and advisory of unexpected roadways conditions. Fluorescent Yellow Green is for added emphasis warnings of school, pedestrian and bicycling activities. White/Black are regulatory signs, such as “Left Lane Must Turn Left.” Green signs are for guide or directional information. Blue signs are for motorist services guidance and to identify parking spaces or disabled drivers. Brown signs are reserved for areas of public recreation, cultural and historical significance.