Clearwater Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

November 7, 2018

Clearwater Hit-And-Run Driver Says He was Distracted Looking at Phone

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 22-year-old man has been charged in a hit-and-run Tuesday morning that left a pedestrian critically injured.

The man was booked into the Pinellas County jail and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and careless driving.

Police said the 59-year-old woman was crossing Drew Street in a crosswalk when she was struck by a car driven by the man, who was making a left turn from southbound Fort Harrison onto eastbound Drew Street.

Police said he initially stopped and called 911, then left the scene after telling fire rescue workers he had found the woman laying in the street.

The man was later tracked down by officers and he admitted to striking the pedestrian. He said he was distracted by looking at his phone trying to pick out music when he made the turn and hit the woman. He added that he was scared and left the scene.

The victim was transported to Bay Front Hospital with serious injuries.

Cell phones keep us connected, and some people need to be connected at all times, even when driving. Conversations, texts, playlists, emails just cannot wait long enough for the driver to reach their destination. It is no wonder that accidents involving distracted drivers are on the rise. If you or someone you know has been injured in a distracted driving accident, speak with our Clearwater Auto Accident Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton so that we can advise you of your legal rights and how to obtain just compensation for your injuries.

Florida state law defines hit-and-run accidents, or leaving the scene of an accident, as a criminal offense when the driver fails to stop and identify him or herself to the involved parties. If there are serious injuries, property damage or death, the driver must remain at the scene.

October 18, 2017

Bicyclist Struck and Killed on I-4 Ramp in East Tampa Hit-And-Run Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal hit-and-run in east Tampa.

According to Troopers, a man on a bike was hit by vehicle on the ramp that takes drivers from eastbound Interstate 4 to US Highway 301. The area is adjacent to the Hard Rock Casino. The driver of the vehicle then left the scene.

Investigators said the vehicle involved in the crash is a silver Mercedes sedan. The vehicle has front end damage on the passenger side and will be missing the passenger side mirror.

Troopers temporarily closed the roadway as part of their investigation. The exit ramp from I-4 to US 301 reopened around 9:20 a.m.

Bicycle and pedestrian accidents commonly cause massive harm due to the fact that victims are unprotected. Our Tampa Bay Pedestrian/Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have represented victims of head trauma, spinal cord injury, broken bones, amputation and other severe and permanent injuries, as well as surviving family members of fatal accidents resulting in wrongful death. We work with doctors, rehab specialists, economists and other experts to calculate full and fair compensation for hospital bills, ongoing and future care, future earnings and pain and suffering.

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.

March 15, 2016

Pedestrian Hit, Killed by Jeep in Brandon

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A pedestrian was killed Saturday night in Brandon after being hit by a Jeep , according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened around 11:30 p.m. along Parsons Avenue South.

Deputies believe the 44-year-old pedestrian crossed Parsons Ave. into the direct path of a Jeep for unknown reasons.

The woman was struck and thrown to the east shoulder of the roadway. She died at the scene.

The driver, a 30-year-old woman, told investigators she did not see the pedestrian until she was right in front of the vehicle.

Investigators believe the woman may have been intoxicated at the time.

No other details have been released.

Drivers who have consumed alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a car are more likely to make poor decisions and less likely to adjust to any abrupt changes in traffic conditions. Alcohol can affect your judgment, impair your motor functions and alter your depth perception, which is why a good amount of Tampa Bay DUI crashes result in very serious or fatal injuries.

If a drunk driver has killed someone you love, it is imperative to act quickly in order to ensure that they are held responsible for your losses. When a loved one is killed, the surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

It is important to understand that even if the driver responsible for your loss is convicted for drunk driving, it will not automatically result in a financial settlement. Our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will help protect your rights and make sure that you are offered fair and full compensation for your losses.

February 25, 2016

Hybrid Vehicles Pose Risk to Pedestrians

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Congress passed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act in 2010. The law noted that hybrid vehicles are very quiet, especially when driven below 18 miles per hour. Due to this, Congress required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop regulations for noise alerts on these silent hybrid vehicles by January 2014. This deadline was then extended to November 2015, and then to March 2016. Auto makers are expected to have 18 months to comply with the new mandates once they are issued.

Sadly, in the meantime, pedestrians remain at risk. Pedestrian accidents have actually increased since 2009, and the fact that people cannot hear hybrid and electric vehicles approaching the same way that they can hear traditional gas-powered vehicles places pedestrians at a greater risk of becoming involved in an accident.

Drivers should always keep a close watch out for all pedestrians, especially those who may be blind, distracted or need extra time crossing the street.

If you have suffered harm from a pedestrian accident in Tampa Bay, you may have the right to recover for your past, current, and future medical expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket expense related to the accident and pain and suffering.

February 8, 2016

Scooter Driver Hits Pedestrian in St. Pete Beach

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A St. Pete Beach man crashed his motor scooter into a pedestrian Tuesday, according to deputies.

The crash happened at 3:02 p.m. at the intersection of 70th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach.

The 72-year-old man was riding his 1985 Honda Elite motor scooter north on Gulf Boulevard when he hit an 18-year-old pedestrian, who was crossing at the intersection.

November 4, 2015

Pinellas County Woman Struck, Killed While Riding Bicycle

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Seminole woman was killed Saturday evening when she was hit by an SUV while riding her bicycle.

The crash occurred just before 7 p.m. on the east side of the 8600 block of Seminole Boulevard.

The 68-year-old woman was riding her bicycle on the sidewalk when a 2003 Ford Expedition pulled out of the Florida Mobile Home trailer park, preparing to turn right, according to reports.

Deputies believe the driver of the Expedition did not see the woman and hit her.

The woman was taken to Largo Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Neither alcohol nor speed appear to be factors in the crash, according to deputies.

The investigation is ongoing.

When in an accident with an automobile, bicycle riders are at an increased risk for serious injuries. Any motor vehicle can cause serious, catastrophic injuries to an unprotected bike rider.

Our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are dedicated to helping bicycle riders who have been injured as a result of a vehicle operator’s negligence. Bicycle accidents most often occur due to:

Driver failing to stop for a bicycle rider at a crosswalk
Vehicle failing to stop at a stop sign
Distracted driver on the cell phone or texting while driving
Sideswiped by a vehicle making a turn at an intersection
A vehicle turning into a driveway
A vehicle backing out of a driveway
Being struck while riding on a sidewalk

Our Tampa Bay area personal injury lawyers at Whittel & Melton have extensive experience in representing bicycle accident victims. We are very familiar with the complicated laws that govern bicycle use in the state of Florida. We understand that many insurance companies are quick to place the blame on the the bicycle rider, which is why we fight aggressively to stand up for your rights.

October 29, 2015

Be Safe This Halloween

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

If you are like most Americans, you will be celebrating Halloween this weekend. Halloween is quite a fun holiday, providing you with the opportunity to dress up in a unique costume and eat a lots of candy! Halloween is known by children for its trick or treating, and for good reason. This year alone, Americans are projected to spend $2.1 billion on Halloween candy!

Around 41 million trick or treaters between the ages of 4 and 15 are expected to be out on the streets this Halloween. And while Halloween is a spooky fun holiday, it is important to not forget the list of potential dangers that can arise. Serious injuries can occur, ranging from pedestrian accidents, dog bites and even slip and falls or trip and falls. The following safety tips can ensure that you and your family and friends stay safe this Halloween while out and about in the Tampa Bay area.

Tips for a Safe Halloween

Carry a flashlight with you while stomping through the streets. A flashlight can warn motorists that you are on the road and help illuminate your walking path so that you can clearly see ahead and avoid a trip and fall accident.
Put reflective tape on your children’s costumes, and even their candy bags, so that they can easily be seen at night. You want to make sure your children are as visible as possible when out trick or treating. Accidents usually occur when drivers cannot see children.
Make sure your child can walk in his or her costume and that it is not too long. You may need to hem or trim the bottom of the costume to avoid any unnecessary falls.
Never let your child go out trick or treating alone. Make sure your kids are in a group and escorted by a parent or guardian.
Remind children to stay away from dark houses.
Inspect all candy before you let your children dig in.

October 16, 2015

13-Year-Old Boy Suffers Minor Injuries After Being Struck by Car In Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 13-year-old boy suffered minor injuries Tuesday morning after he was hit by a vehicle while riding his bike in Tampa.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred shortly after 8 a.m. at the intersection of West Waters Avenue and Riverwood Boulevard.

Deputies believe the boy was riding his bicycle when a vehicle at the intersection turned and struck him.

The boy received minor abrasions to his hands and was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital to be checked out.

The driver was not cited.

A parent’s worst nightmare is seeing his or her child suffer an injury of any kind and deal with the pain as well as the healing process. Sadly, many children are the victims of other people’s negligence, which can result in serious harm. Even worse, sometimes another person’s carelessness or recklessness can lead to the accidental loss of a child. When this happens, the parents may have the right to bring a claim for wrongful death and seek compensation for the loss of their child.