Clearwater Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

May 29, 2014

Tampa Bay Auto Accident Attorney :: Tampa Bay Area Ranks Second in New Study On America’s Deadliest Cities for Pedestrians

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A recent study shows that the Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg and Clearwater, is one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians. In fact, Tampa took second place in the top 10 deadliest metro areas for walkers.

The new report from the National Complete Streets Coalition, Dangerous By Design 2014, used a Pedestrian Danger Index to rank the deadliest places to walk in America. Florida is home to the top four cities.

Top 10 Deadliest Cities for Pedestrians:

Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Florida
Memphis, Tennessee-Arkansas-Mississippi
Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona
Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, North Carolina-South Carolina

And here are the 10 safest metros for pedestrians:

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Massachussetts-New Hampshire
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, New York-New Jersey, Pennsylvania
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, California
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin
Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, Oregon-Washington
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin
Rochester, New York
Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, Ohio

You can view the full list here.

The study looked at people who walk to work as well as respective cities’ fatality numbers. Through this research it was found that 47,025 pedestrians died as a result of car crashes between 2003 and 2012. Another 676,000 were injured in pedestrian-related accidents.

Pedestrian accidents are most likely to occur in the following settings:

Urban Areas
Nighttime
Clear Weather
Non-intersections

If you are going to be travelling on foot in Tampa or anywhere else in Florida or across the U.S., please follow the below tips:

Always use crosswalks and sidewalks when they are available for use.
Watch out for things going on around you. Just because you are on a sidewalk does not mean you are in the clear. Pedestrians are often overlooked by passing cars, so keep your eyes open and stay alert.
Never assume that a driver can see you.
Do not walk near freeways, restricted-access highways or other dangerous roadways where signs indicate that pedestrians are prohibited.
Avoid distractions while you are walking, such as texting, playing video games, talking on the phone and other disruptions.
Do not walk near traffic while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

April 21, 2014

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyer :: School Board Starts Shuttle for Students along Hillsborough Avenue to Minimize Pedestrian Accidents

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A new shuttle service made its debut Monday to haul students to and from school near a busy stretch of Hillsborough Avenue that has had deadly pedestrian accidents.

The shuttle was started to protect students, and runs from the Meridian Pointe Apartments to nearby Middleton High School. Officials with the Hillsborough County School system believe the shuttle provides students with a great alternative from crossing the busy street mid-block.

There is a crossing several blocks away at 22nd Street.

On March 17, two sisters, 14 and 15, were hit while trying to cross east Hillsborough Avenue near 25th Street to get to school. The 15-year-old sister died from her injuries on March 22. The 14-year-old is recovering from a broken arm.

The 15-year-old girl was the second student killed in the location since 2011.

The Florida Department of Transportation has also been examining this busy stretch of the roadway. There are plans to add 125 new lights along Hillsborough Avenue between Nebraska Avenue and 50th Street.

Until this project is completed, the shuttle will continue to pick up students every morning starting at 6:45 a.m. for the rest of the school year.

While these new projects and services may work to minimize the number of accidents in the Tampa Bay area, there are many steps that both motorists and pedestrians can take to help improve safety. Drivers approaching intersections or crosswalks should always keep an eye out for pedestrians in the area. Motorists should always be aware of right-of-way rules and abide by them as well as use their turn signals properly. Pedestrians should be alert when in the roadways and only cross in designated areas. Most motorists are prepared to see pedestrians in these locations and can be prepared to stop. It can be a good idea for pedestrians to make eye contact with drivers so that they know the pedestrian is planning to cross the street.

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries that take a long time to heal from, or worse, death. Victims who do recover from these accidents must often spend a significant amount of time receiving treatment for their injuries, and then must endure rehabilitation in order to resume their normal life. This can bring about costly medical bills both now and in the future.

April 10, 2014

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney :: Student Struck by Car Remains in Critical Condition

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An 18-year-old man hit by a car while walking home from school on Wednesday remains in critical condition.

According to Tampa police, the student and his friend were running northbound on 40th Street trying to cross Hillsborough Avenue against the light when he was struck.

The man was hit by a woman driving a Toyota Camry. She apparently stopped immediately once she realized she had hit the man.

Police claim the woman probably won’t face charges as it appears the crash was a tragic accident. The woman was not harmed.

This unfortunate collision comes about three weeks after two other students were struck trying to cross a busy stretch of Hillsborough Avenue.

The students and sisters, 14 and 15, were hit by a vehicle on Hillsborough Avenue near 25th Street on March 18 while walking to school.

The 15-year-old died four days after the crash.

Tampa police, along with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsborough County Schools, are working to launch a PSA campaign to educate students about traffic safety.

If you or someone you love was injured as a pedestrian while jaywalking or not in a crosswalk, you may be lead to believe that you have no right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit because the accident was ultimately “your fault.” However, whether or not you were in a crosswalk, you were jaywalking or whether a traffic light was red, yellow or green, you should be sure to speak with an injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Regardless of fault, you could possibly have a strong case against the driver of the vehicle that struck you while you were on foot.

Following a serious injury in the Tampa Bay area, it can take weeks, months or years for a victim to recover both physically and emotionally form the accident. In some cases, injuries can be permanent. Financial troubles following a pedestrian accident only make matters worse. It is critical to act fast following a pedestrian accident so that you can take the necessary steps towards recovering just compensation. A Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can make a great difference in your personal injury case.

March 28, 2014

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney :: Number of Pedestrian Accidents Increase in 2011

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

While we all use various modes of transportation to get from place to place, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging everyone to remember one key road user fact – we are all pedestrians. The sad reality is that pedestrians were one of a few groups of road users to see an increase in fatalities across the United States in 2011, reaching a whopping 4,432 deaths. This number represents a 3 percent increase from the number of reported deaths in 2010.

Another 69,000 pedestrians suffered injuries in traffic crashes in 2011. According to 2011 traffic safety facts, on average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in traffic collisions.

While the 4,432 deaths were an increase from the number reported in 2010, this number represents a decrease of 7 percent from 2002. Pedestrian deaths made up 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2011, and accounted for 3 percent of all people injured in traffic accidents.

Negligent, reckless or distracted drivers disobeying traffic laws cause serious injuries and deaths to innocent pedestrians every day in the Tampa Bay area. Accidents, by their very nature, are unplanned, so when you are the victim of a traffic fatality you may find yourself suffering painful injuries and financial losses that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. It can be nearly impossible to determine which step to take first, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to contact a Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton so that we can help you formulate a plan to obtain financial compensation for your losses.

February 18, 2013

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Death Attorney :: Eight-Year-Old Girl Struck and Killed by SUV

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An eight-year-old Tampa girl was killed earlier this month after she was hit by an SUV on Busch Boulevard.

The third grader underwent surgery after suffering internal and head injuries, but passed away shortly after.

According to police, the child was struck in the innermost lane of eastbound traffic, while she attempted to cross the six-lane roadway.

She was with her 12-year-old sister at the time of the accident. The girls were trying to cross the very busy road at the intersection of Busch Boulevard and 14th Street.

There is no crosswalk at that intersection and the speed limit is 45 miles per hour.

Tampa Police claim the driver of the SUV will not face charges.

Sadly, pedestrian accidents involving children are not uncommon. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children under the age of 16 accounted for 23 percent of pedestrians injured in traffic collisions in 2010. In addition to these numbers, more than 20 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 9 were killed in pedestrian traffic accidents. Children are at an increased risk when it comes to crossing the street, so it is important to remind your children regularly of how to be safe pedestrians.

The following are some tips that can keep your child safer on the streets:

1. Always cross the street using crosswalks and traffic signals.

2. Wear bright or reflective clothing to boost visibility to drivers.

3. Before crossing the street – stop, look and listen. Encourage children to stop first before crossing an intersection, look left, right and left again before crossing and listen for approaching vehicles. As they cross the street, they should continue to look and listen.

4. Whenever possible, walk on sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, remind children to walk facing oncoming traffic and to stay as far to the left of the street as possible.

5. Do not wear headphones when crossing the street. You need to be able to listen for approaching vehicles.

6. If you need to use your cell phone, stop walking.

February 15, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer :: New York Mother Files Injury Lawsuit Against Wendy’s for Negligence with Safety Measures

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A New York mother and daughter team has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Wendy’s International Inc. and Westbury Properties, LLC, after sustaining serious injuries at their local fast-food restaurant.

The mother and her 11-year-old daughter were exiting the restaurant on Dec. 4 when they were struck by the vehicle of an elderly driver. The pair was pinned to the wall of the restaurant, crushing their legs and resulting in multiple fractures, excruciating pain and costly medical treatment.

Two months later, the mother is still confined to a wheelchair while the daughter is able to walk again.

Now, the mother has filed a multimillion dollar personal injury lawsuit against Wendy’s and the driver of the car with the hopes of recovering just financial compensation for the damages suffered from this life changing accident.

The woman’s claim not only names the cause of the accident as the driver’s negligence, but also claims that the restaurant was careless with their safety precautions. The fast-food location only installed curb stops and signs after the accident occurred.

While Wendy’s did issue a statement of regret following the accident, they did not address any specifics associated with the pending lawsuit.

Personal injury lawsuits can be filed by victims who were injured as a direct result of another person or entity’s negligence. The mother and daughter team in this case are seeking full and fair compensation for their pain and suffering, which is entitled to them by law. When filing a personal injury claim, victims may recover for various damages including lost wages, costs associated with all medical treatments and physical and emotional pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries due to someone else’s reckless actions or negligent behavior, a personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights.

February 14, 2013

Clearwater Pedestrian Killed in Auto Accident last night

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to new reports, the Clearwater man walking across Missouri Avenue near Turner Street who was struck by a car Wednesday night, is dead.

As part of a traffic homicide investigation, Clearwater Police shut down all southbound lanes of Missouri Avenue at Druid Road, Wednesday evening to preserve evidence at the scene. A Clearwater Public Safety spokesperson says the man was crossing Missouri from the east to the west side and south of the intersection at Turner Street when he was hit.

The driver told traffic homicide detectives that he did not see the pedestrian until just before impact.