Hillsborough County Injury Attorney

March 20, 2014

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney :: Two Sisters Struck by Car while Walking to High School, One in Critical Condition

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two sisters walking to Middleton High School in East Tampa early yesterday were struck by a car, leaving one of the sisters critically injured.

According to Tampa police, the sisters, 14 and 15, were hit while crossing Hillsborough Avenue near 25th Street.

Both girls were taken to an area hospital. The 15-year-old, a sophomore, is in critical condition. The 14-year-old, a freshman, is stable.

The crash occurred shortly after 7 a.m. as the sisters tried to cross Hillsborough outside of the crosswalks.

The driver, a 17-year-old Hillsborough High School student will not face charges, according to police.

Middleton High School is located just south of Hillsborough Avenue at 4801 N 22nd St., a short distance from the crash site.

This is not the first incident where a student has been hit crossing this busy street. Another Middleton High student was killed in 2011 when she failed to use a crosswalk.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every year nearly 5,000 pedestrians are killed in motor vehicle-related accidents, and more than 78,000 pedestrians are severely injured in automobile accidents.

When it comes to the laws of the road, both pedestrians and drivers are responsible for following various safety rules. A driver of a car, truck, SUV or any other motor vehicle must exercise reasonable care when behind the wheel. Failing to exercise reasonable car can include such actions as:

Distracted Driving
Failing to Observe and Follow Speed Limits
Failing to Observe the Right of Way of Pedestrians at Designated Crosswalks
Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Failing to Account for Poor Weather Conditions

Just like drivers, pedestrians must also follow safety laws and avoid negligent and reckless actions, such as:

Failing to Use Designated Crosswalks
Attempting to Disrupt the Flow of Traffic
Entering Traffic in Front of a Vehicle with no Warning

As a pedestrian, avoiding the above dangerous activities will not only lessen your chances of being involved in a pedestrian accident, but can ensure that you are not viewed as negligent in a personal injury or death matter.

February 10, 2014

Tampa Bay Watercraft Accident Attorney :: Common Causes of Jet Ski Accidents in Clearwater Beach and Treasure Island

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Tampa Bay area is well known for its beautiful rivers, lakes, bays and access to the Gulf of Mexico. Because areas like Clearwater Beach and Treasure Island have so many various waterways, jet skiing is quite popular among tourists and residents alike. However, jet skiing is an inherently risky activity, with the U.S. Coast Guard broadcasting more than 700 fatalities involving jet skis and more than 3,000 injuries nationwide.

A moment of negligence or recklessness on a jet ski can result in severe personal injuries and even wrongful death. The good news is that most jet ski accidents can be prevented by understanding the common causes of these accidents and how to identify risky behaviors that can easily lead to an unfortunate mishap. Moreover, it is vital that jet ski riders know how to operate a jet ski in a safe fashion before heading out on the waterways.

Were you injured on the waterways of Clearwater Beach, Treasure Island or the surrounding areas? Call Whittel & Melton today at 727-823-0000 or dial us statewide and toll-free at 866-608-5529.

SPEEDING

Nearly 15 percent of all accidents involving personal watercrafts, such as jet skis, were caused by speeding drivers, according to the US Coast Guard. Driving a jet ski can undoubtedly be an exhilarating experience. As a jet ski driver, it is important to not get carried away when operating these vehicles as the amount of horsepower these vessels have can be intense. When excessive speeds are used, serious accidents can occur.

INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS

Many people hop on jet skis and take off into the water without fully realizing how dangerous these vehicles can be. It is important to get the proper training and experience before darting off in these vehicles. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that nearly a third of drivers involved in a jet ski or other personal watercraft accident had operated the vehicle ten times or less prior to their accident.

INATTENTIVE DRIVERS

As water sports like jet skiing become more and popular, waterways become more crowded, increasing the number of distractions for drivers. Unnecessary collisions on personal watercrafts are often caused by drivers who fail to pay attention to their surroundings. By staying focused while on a jet ski, you can prevent a catastrophe from occurring.

RECKLESS DRIVING

One of the leading causes of jet ski accidents is reckless driving. Often referred to as the motorcycle of the waterways, jet skis can be quite dangerous when operated in a reckless manner. Following the rules of the waterways is crucial when operating a jet ski, and failure to do so can result in broken bones, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma and even death.

December 23, 2013

St. Petersburg Injury Lawyer :: CPSC Reports ‘Tis the Season for Injuries

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging everyone to “Deck the Halls” safely this holiday season. An estimated 15,000 people will be injured this holiday season based on the number of people sent to emergency rooms across the nation last November and December. The worst of the injuries reported involved slip and falls from holiday decorating, stepping on ornaments, back injuries, ladder catastrophes and lacerations.

Hundreds of people fall off ladders every holiday season in their attempts to decorate. Ladders are supposed to be set up in a non-congested area with a 75 degree angle. Metal ladders should never be set up near electrical equipment. Sadly, ladder accidents often result in severe personal injuries or death. Last year, the CPSC reported that there were 20 injuries due to ladder accidents that resulted in a whopping $16 million in property damage.

Fires are another big problem during the holiday season. Fire departments across the country reported about 200 Christmas trees that were ignited from 2009 through 2011. These fires resulted in 70 deaths, 680 injuries and about $308 million in property damage, according to the CPSC. The number of fire-related incidents has been on the rise since 2009, resulting in about 12,000 more ER visits annually.

The CPSC urges everyone to follow these simple guidelines to prevent a holiday disaster this year:

• Discard any light sets with bare wires, broken sockets or that are damaged.

• Blow out candles when no one is in the room.

• Make sure your ladder is in good condition before using it.

• Keep your Christmas tree away from any heat sources.

• Watch out for children around the Christmas tree, as they could become injured from ornaments or sharp objects on or around the tree.

• Keep wrapping paper out of the fireplace as it can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Any problems with consumer products that lead to accidents or injuries should always be reported to saferproducts.gov. This is how the government tracks injuries from defective products so that recalls can be issued when enough injuries are reported.

December 17, 2013

Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Attorney :: Motorcycle Accident in Hillsborough County Ends in Fatality

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 40-year-old Kissimmee motorcyclist was killed Wednesday after a car that was turning in front of him struck him on Fletcher Avenue.

The biker was riding a 2000 Yamaha Road Star westbound around 7:30 p.m. on Fletcher Avenue when the driver of a 1998 Ford Taurus heading eastbound tried to execute a left turn onto 42nd Street and turned into the biker’s path causing the motorcycle to hit the passenger side of the car, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The Kissimmee motorcyclist was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to police, the man was wearing a helmet.

The 27-year-old driver of the Taurus and his passenger were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to reports.

The investigation is ongoing. No charges have been filed at this point.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to experience a fatality when travelling on the roadway than those riding in passenger cars. Despite numerous efforts to raise awareness and safety for motorcyclists, the number of bikers killed in motor vehicle accidents increased by 2 percent from 2010 to 2011. With the number of motorcyclists on the roads steadily increasing, the sad truth is that the number of deadly accidents is also on the rise.

The majority of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, and most of the time it is the motorist and not the motorcyclist who is at fault. There are many things drivers can do to prevent collisions with bikers, including taking the time to check blind spots when turning or changing lanes and allowing for more space when following a biker. Moreover, drivers should limit the amount of distractions while behind the wheel, use proper traffic signals and always follow the general rules of the road.

November 26, 2013

Tampa Bay Slip, Trip and Fall Injury Lawyer :: Beware Black Friday Shopping Hazards

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The holiday shopping season has already begun, and the biggest shopping day of the year is just around the corner. Many stores this year across the United States and in Florida will open in the evening on Thanksgiving, creating even earlier black Friday sales. These sales draw in thousands of shoppers all hoping to take advantage of the early door buster sales. Due to such large crowds, shoppers need to be aware of the potential for slip, trip and fall accidents that can occur when hazardous conditions exist inside retail stores.

Many slip, trip and fall injuries occur when a liquid or slippery substance is left in an aisle. A fall from a wet or slick surface could cause serious head, neck, back or ankle injuries. Uneven flooring, ripped or torn carpeting, misplaced objects, broken and hanging signs and other dangerous conditions can cause slip, trip and fall injuries. Even though store owners and employers are extra busy during holiday sales, they still have a duty to make sure the store is left in a safe condition at all times, and should a dangerous condition exist, they must warn customers.

Determining Fault in a Slip, Trip and Fall Case

When a slip, trip or fall occurs on a retailer’s property, it must be shown that a dangerous condition caused the accident. Additionally, it must be proven that the store owner was aware of the danger and failed to take the necessary steps to remedy the situation. This dangerous condition or hazard must be something that poses an unreasonable risk and something that a person would not have anticipated.

Moreover, the injury must be a predictable result of the dangerous condition. When a spill is not cleaned up and no warning is provided to customers, it is likely that a shopper could slip, trip or fall. If the floor is uneven or carpeting is torn, again, it is probable that a customer might slip, trip or fall.

In order to recover financial compensation for a slip, trip or fall injury, it must be demonstrated that the store owner was negligent in failing to uphold a safe premise. When an accident happens because of a shopper’s carelessness, the store is generally not at fault.

November 22, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer :: Florida Lawmakers Want Tampa Teen Drivers to Put Their Cellphones Away

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Florida lawmakers have recently proposed a new bill that would ban anyone under the age of 18 from using electronic devices while driving in Florida.

This means teens would not be allowed to make calls, use Facebook or any other website while driving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. In fact, on average, seven teens between the ages of 16 and 19 die every day from car crashes, and drivers in that same age group are three times more likely to get into a deadly crash.

Despite these statistics, many drivers oppose the proposed law claiming it is unfair to single out a particular age group.

Florida lawmakers are currently talking about proposed changes to current laws.

If the proposed law is passed, it would take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

According to the CDC, in 2010, nearly 2,700 teens across the nation between the ages of 16 and 19 were killed and another 282,000 were treated and released from emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents. While young people ages 15-24 account for only 14 percent of the U.S. population, this age group represents 30 percent, or $19 billion, of the total costs of auto accident injuries among males and 28 percent, or $7 billion, of the total costs of car accident injuries among females.

September 17, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Attorney :: Passenger Shooting the Result of Possible Road Rage

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 45-year-old Brandon man riding shotgun in a pickup truck during Monday evening rush hour was shot and injured in what authorities believe was a possible act of road rage.

A 45-year-old Brandon woman was driving the Ford F150 east on Causeway Boulevard with the man as her passenger.

The woman stopped at a traffic light just after 6 p.m. on U.S. 301 when a man driving a sport utility vehicle got out of his car and came up to the passenger side of the truck.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the man fired a gun twice, hitting the man in the passenger seat of the truck in the leg, arm and chest. The man was taken to Tampa General Hospital with what the Sheriff’s Office said were non-life-threatening injuries.

The shooter then got back into his SUV and drove away heading south on U.S. 301.

The driver of the truck told police she may have cut the driver off.

Deputies are asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to call the Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477).

Aggressive driving is nothing new, but has become an increasingly large problem on roads throughout the United States. Often referred to as road rage, aggressive driving can be blamed on everything from congested roadways to warmer climates and even a simple change of pace in our everyday lives. Whatever the reason, road rage kills or injures thousands of individuals every year. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 1,500 people are injured or killed each year throughout the U.S. due to aggressive drivers.

There are many types of driving behaviors that can signal road rage, including:

• Tailgating, Sudden Acceleration or Sudden Braking
• Excessive Use of Flashing Lights or Horns
• Cutting Others Off
• Shouted Threats and Obscenities
• Vulgar Hand Gestures
• Intentionally Causing a Crash
• Threatening the Use of Weapons