Car Accidents

October 22, 2014

Reduce Deaths and Increase Awareness: National Teen Driver Safety Week Awareness

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week, so this is a time to bring up the real dangers teens face when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teens. Moreover, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that almost half of teen drivers involved in a collision are killed.

While the above statistics present a real problem in regards to teen drivers, a recent survey found that only 25 percent of parents have had a discussion with their teens stressing the importance of driving safely.

The NHTSA discusses the following rules for teens in its “5 To Drive” campaign:

No cell phones while driving
No extra passengers
No speeding
No alcohol
No driving or riding in a car without a seatbelt

The “5 to Drive” campaign was launched during Teen Driver Safety Week last year, and it addresses the five most dangerous and deadly behaviors for teen drivers. The thought behind this initiative is to help parents address these five key issues when talking with their teens about driving.

The statistics regarding teenage driver collisions are sobering. Approximately 60 percent of the teens that died in crashes in 2012 were not wearing a seatbelt and 48 percent of those killed were speeding. Teens are involved in crashes where speeding is an issue at a rate of 60 percent higher than that of adults.

As parents, it is our responsibility to set a good example for our children by always wearing our seat belts and stressing the importance of why we wear them. Seatbelts save lives. In addition, it is important to continue setting a good example by following all posted speed limits and other rules of the road.

Alcohol is another key issue in teen driver deaths. In 2012, NHTSA statistics showed that 28 percent of teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 who were killed in crashes had been drinking.

Another serious problem for teens is texting and driving. In 2012, a study found that cell phones distracted nearly 1 in 5 teens in distraction-related fatal crashes. Extra passengers in the vehicle also cause distraction for teens, and the risk for an accident only increases with each additional passenger. In fact, just one passenger raises a teen driver’s risk of a fatal crash by 44 percent.

October 17, 2014

Pregnant Woman Suffers Critical Injuries after Being Struck by Tow Truck in Downtown St. Pete

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Police are further investigating an accident that critically injured a 7 and a half month pregnant woman in downtown St. Petersburg Wednesday afternoon.

The 36-year-old mom-to-be was struck by a tow truck near the intersection of 3rd Street North and 1st Avenue North around 2:30 p.m.

According to police, the woman was crossing 1st Avenue North just west of the crosswalk when the truck attempted to turn left onto 1st Avenue North.

The woman was halfway across the center lane when she was hit and knocked down, striking her head on the pavement, according to police.

The light for the truck driver was yellow at the time, according to reports.

The woman was taken to Bayfront Hospital with critical injuries.

No further information regarding the woman’s injuries or the crash is available at this time.

Car crashes, no matter how minor, can present a number of unique risks to pregnant women. The most serious types of after-effects can include preterm labor, miscarriage, internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, birth defects, and the possibility of a high-risk pregnancy that did not exist before the collision. A high risk pregnancy can create a number of complications to both the mother and unborn child before, during and after the birth.

The less serious risks for a pregnant woman can include stress and emotional duress. Mental anguish can often result from the trauma of a car accident, child birth complications, or, in some cases, the loss of the child.

Studies have shown that an expectant mother’s immediate actions following an auto accident are crucial to ensure the best possible treatment and overall outcome for the mother and child.

September 23, 2014

Tampa Teacher Arrested for Driving the Wrong Way Near Interstate 75

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Tampa high school teacher was arrested on Sunday for driving the wrong way near I-75, according to troopers.

Reports indicate that the Florida Highway Patrol received a call around 3:50 a.m. regarding a wrong-way driver on State Road 618 near 22nd Street.

Troopers were told a gold 2001 Saturn was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes and would eventually turn southbound in the northbound lanes of I-75. A trooper arrested the 24-year-old teacher as he exited at the northbound Gibsonton Drive entrance ramp.

The social studies teacher was charged with driving under the influence and driving the wrong way on a limited access roadway.

The man allegedly refused to provide a breath test, but the trooper claims he had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol.

This year alone has shown an outbreak of wrong-way driving on the interstates in the Tampa Bay area. Fortunately, some of these wrong-way drivers have been stopped by local police before a tragic collision occurred, as this case shows, limiting the effects of wrong-way drivers. However, unfortunately, there have been five serious wrong-way crashes on the interstates in the Tampa Bay area this year, resulting in 11 deaths and numerous injuries.

Many drivers are the victims of wrong-way accidents in the Tampa Bay area every year. Those injured or those who have had loved ones taken from them may be left with the financial burden of medical expenses and lost wages to handle on top of the pain and suffering they must go through while working towards recovery. These victims are not without relief, though, as the laws in Florida give accident victims and immediate family members the right to bring a personal injury or wrongful death claim for their damages against negligent motorists who caused a car accident.

September 17, 2014

Student Biker Struck by Car near Riverview High School

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 17-year-old girl riding her bicycle near Riverview High School on Tuesday morning was hit by a car.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the girl, who is a Riverview High student, was struck by an Acura sedan on Whispering Creek Boulevard near Balm Riverview Road just south of Boyette Road.

The driver of the Acura, a 23-year-old man, waited at the scene for deputies to arrive. According to officials, the man won’t be cited in the crash.

The crash occurred just before 7 a.m. The accident caused the roadway to be shut down for about an hour.

Authorities said the teen received non-life threatening injuries, however she was airlifted to an area hospital.

The crash is still being investigated.

The Tampa Bay area is full of beautiful scenery and many people choose to take it all in by getting outdoors and riding a bike. Many children and teens ride bicycles to school and adults often use them to commute to work. Sadly, many bicyclists are injured or killed by negligent drivers every year in Florida and across the United States. The Tampa Bay Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are committed to helping bicycle accident victims recover full compensation for their injuries. We also help families of those who have lost loved ones obtain fair compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one.

Even though a bicyclist may do everything right, serious injuries can still happen. A negligent motorist can pull out in front of a cyclist or make a turn without looking and collide with a biker. Regardless of how your accident occurred, our team of injury lawyers can handle all aspects of your case so that you can receive adequate compensation for your losses. Even if your accident involved an uninsured/underinsured motorist, we can do everything in our power to make sure you recover a monetary award, including from your own insurance company.

September 10, 2014

AGAIN?? Three Killed in Wrong-Way Crash on I-275 in Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A wrong-way driver and her two passengers were killed in a head-on collision with a gasoline tanker truck on Interstate 275 just south of Bearss Avenue early Sunday.

This is the fourth fatal wrong-way crash on I-275 in Tampa this year that has happened just before sunrise.

The Florida Highway Patrol believes a 2013 Honda sedan was traveling south in the inside lane of northbound I-275 when it crashed into a Gemini Motor Transport tanker that was headed north. Both vehicles came to a halt in the northbound lanes.

The car’s driver, along with another woman in the front passenger seat and a man sitting in the back, all died at the scene.

There is no information regarding when, where or why the women entered the interstate heading in the wrong direction at this time.

The driver of the tanker, a 50-year-old Lakeland man, was not injured. No fuel was spilled, however the crash created a lot of debris.

This is not the first wrong-way collision on I-275 in Tampa in the last seven months.

On Feb. 9, a 28-year-old man driving south in the northbound lanes of I-275 collided near Busch Boulevard with a 2010 Hyundai carrying four University of South Florida fraternity brothers. All five men were killed.

Less than two weeks later, a 25-year-old drove a Honda Civic north on the southbound side of I-275 and smashed into a rental truck near Bearss Avenue. The man was killed and the two men in the truck suffered personal injuries.

Last month, a 23-year-old man was killed after he crashed into an ambulance after entering I-275 from I-4 going north in the southbound span.

According to the FHP, most of these wrong-way accidents involved drivers making U-turns on the highway. Impairment was at least suspected in the previous wrong-way crashes. Troopers said it is too early to tell whether it was a factor in this crash.

In an effort to combat this serious problem, officials with the Florida Department of are taking steps to better protect motorists against wrong-way drivers. Message boards warn motorists once a 911 call has been made. The agency is also testing interstate sensors that would automatically notify the FDOT of a wrong-way driver even before that first 911 call.

Wrong way collisions are usually very serious due to the fact that two vehicles traveling at moderate to high speeds generally do not have enough time to break or take any other evasive action to avoid a head-on collision. A crash of this magnitude creates significant impact forces into the occupant compartments of both vehicles. Sadly, catastrophic injuries and death are quite often the result of wrong way accidents.

One of the most common causes of wrong way collisions is drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. While this is certainly not the only reason these accidents occur, it is usually a factor.

August 19, 2014

Motorcyclist Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries in St. Pete Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 54-year-old motorcyclist was seriously injured on Sunday evening after an intersection collision on St. Pete Beach.

According to reports, a 54-year-old motorcyclist from Kenneth City was driving a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle west on 75th Avenue approaching Blind Pass Road. At the exact same time, a woman driving a 2014 Chevy Cruz was stopped in the left turn lane of east 75th Avenue, partially in the intersection waiting for traffic to clear to turn on Blind Pass Road.

As the motorcyclist entered the intersection, the woman made a left turn as the traffic light was turning yellow.

The biker was transported to Bayfront Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Both the driver and the passenger in the Chevy were not harmed.

The accident is still under investigation, but alcohol and drug impairment are not factors in the crash, according to reports.

Motorcyclists are far too often hit by other vehicles as they pass through intersections. Intersections are usually prime locations for collisions because motorists may speed through them or fail to yield as they rush to where they are going. Intersection accidents are estimated to account for half of all traffic-related injuries, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Sadly, intersection accidents can be especially dangerous to motorcyclists and leave them with devastating injuries.

Intersection collisions can result in catastrophic injuries, including death in some cases. For injury victims, if you can establish the other driver’s liability, you may recover financial damages for your suffering if you file your claim within a specific time frame. In the state of Florida, there is a four-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims and a two-year time constraint for wrongful death suits, which can be filed on behalf of a relative or spouse who died in an accident. In order to establish legal liability and recover financial compensation, it is absolutely vital to file a claim in a timely fashion.

August 11, 2014

Man Struck by Truck and Killed in Tampa Intersection

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man was killed early Monday after he walked into the path of an oncoming pickup truck in Tampa, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The man was struck along 50th Street just north of Palm River Road at 4:27 a.m.

Troopers believe a 54-year-old Ruskin man was driving his Ford F-150 pickup northbound on 50th Street when the man attempted to cross the street.

The man died at the scene. The driver of the F-150 was not harmed.

Parts of Palm River Road and 50th Street were closed Monday morning while authorities investigated the crash site.

Intersections can create dangerous conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists. Even though there are guidelines that detail how to proceed at intersections as well as who has the right of way, it is common for these rules to be ignored. In many cases, negligent driving practices such as speeding, drunk driving or distracted driving create life-threatening situations when cars and pedestrians enter an intersection at the same time.

The most common intersection accidents entail:

– Running a stop sign or a red light

– Making a right or left turn without checking to make sure the intersection is clear of other vehicles or pedestrians

– Failing to adhere to stop signs or traffic lights

When pedestrians are involved in intersection collisions, the potential for serious injury is increased due to the fact that they lack the protection that a vehicle provides for drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, many drivers do not always keep an eye out for pedestrians in the roadway that are entering an intersection with them, and they often fail to yield the right of way. Intersection car accident claims are usually highly complex. Insurance companies often use this to their advantage and will try and reduce your financial compensation.

August 4, 2014

Adult, Baby Killed in I-4 Minivan Crash in Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An adult and an infant were killed and two children were critically injured after a minivan travelling on Interstate 4 exited the roadway and crashed.

A 2008 Hyundai Entourage was heading west on the highway, west of County Road 579, around 1:10 a.m. when it left the road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The van crossed a concrete culvert, rode up a grass embankment and crashed through a chain link fence. The Florida Highway Patrol claims the vehicle flipped several times before stopping on its left side in the parking lot of Camping World of Tampa.

The driver, a 29-year-old Wesley Chapel man, suffered only minor injuries. However, the right-front passenger, a 30-year-old adult from Tampa, was ejected from the van and died at the scene. A 5-month-old infant was taken to a hospital and died a short time later.

Two children, ages 7 and 9, were taken to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.

Another female passenger was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash. Witnesses to the accident are asked to contact the FHP at 813-631-4020.

Losing someone you love unexpectedly in a car accident is devastating. The grieving process can be an extremely difficult time period, and on top of that, you must deal with securing the financial future of your family. It is critical to speak to an auto accident attorney who can take care of all matters related to your loss, so that you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family’s wellbeing. A Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages that your loved one would have earned, pain and suffering and all other damages related to the collision.

June 23, 2014

Polk County Pedestrian Injury Lawyer :: Auburndale Man Hit, Killed by Polk Sheriff’s Patrol Car

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 56-year-old man was killed early Friday morning in Auburndale after he was struck by a Polk County Sheriff’s patrol car, deputies said.

The crash occurred at 6 a.m. at the intersection of 42nd Street and Havendale Boulevard.

According to investigators, a 21-year-old deputy had just completed his shift and was driving home in the eastbound lanes of Havendale Boulevard in his patrol car. As he approached the intersection of 42nd Street, the 56-year-old man apparently stepped into the path of his patrol car.

The man died at the scene from his injuries.

Investigators claim that the preliminary information shows that the traffic light was green and that the deputy had the right of way.

Officials believe the deceased had a history of routinely wandering into parking lots and onto Havendale Boulevard to ask drivers for money. Earlier this month, deputies said they received two separate reports of the man walking into traffic at Havendale and 42nd Street, once at 11 a.m. and another at 5 p.m.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit will conduct the initial investigation into the crash. Following this, their findings will be reviewed by the PCSO Administrative Investigation’s Section. The State Attorney’s Office will also review any reports.

The deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The intersection was closed briefly while deputies investigated the scene. The intersection reopened just after 11 a.m.

No additional details have been released.

Government officials, just like all other people, are very capable of making mistakes. With that said, the law does in fact recognize that government officials can sometimes be liable for accidents, and allows the accident victim to recover just the same as if the accident involved a private citizen. For this case, the fact that the driver was a police officer should not decrease the accident victim family’s chances of obtaining a full recovery for the death of their loved one should the accident have been caused by the officer’s negligence or carelessness.

When an accident is caused by a government employee, the accident victim or the accident victim’s family may be able to hold the city, state, or local government office responsible for their injuries or loss. For the most part, government officials have immunity from personal injury or wrongful death suits. But, if it is found that the official acted negligently or recklessly and harmed another human being, that immunity is waived.

June 9, 2014

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Injury Attorney :: Brother and Sister Struck by Car Crossing Bearss Avenue After School

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A brother and sister were struck by a car while leaving middle school on the last day of the school year on Friday leaving them hospitalized.

According to friends and witnesses, the girl was hit while she was trying to pull her brother out of the way of the car.

The brother and sister, both students at Buchanan Middle School, were struck by a Honda Civic heading east on Bearss Avenue. The siblings were attempting to cross the busy four-lane road at about 1:30 p.m. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, both were in stable condition at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The girl, 15, who finished eighth grade at Buchanan, suffered a broken ankle, and the boy, 12, endured a head injury.

Five students, including the brother and sister, were following a group of about 25 students who were heading to a nearby park to celebrate the end of the school year. The first group made it successfully across Bearss Avenue at Monet Drive, which does not have a crosswalk.

When the brother and sister and their three friends crossed, they stopped at the median, but the 12-year-old boy kept walking. His sister reached out and grabbed his shirt to keep him from getting hit, but as a result, they were both struck by the vehicle.

The sheriff’s office said the boy is a special needs child.

When it comes to pedestrian safety, there are steps that both motorists and pedestrians can take to decrease dangers. Drivers approaching intersections or crosswalks should not let distractions affect their awareness of pedestrians in the area. Additionally, motorists should signal turns and know right-of-way rules. Pedestrians should only cross roadways in specified areas. Most drivers are alert in these areas as they expect to see pedestrians in these locations and can be prepared to stop. It is also important for pedestrians to try and make eye contact with drivers when they can, so that they can be alerted that the pedestrian is going to cross the street.

Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries that usually result in a long recovery period. Most victims of pedestrian accidents require extensive treatment for their injuries, and then must undergo rehabilitation and physical therapy to get back to living a normal life. This can result in exceptionally pricey medical bills.