Motorcycle Accidents

February 27, 2019

Motorcyclist Killed in Interstate 4 DUI-Related Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man has been arrested on DUI charges after an overnight Interstate 4 crash involving a motorcycle.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 23-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash on I-4 just east of State Road 574.

Troopers said the crash happened at 1:45 a.m. when the motorcycle and a 2018 Dodge Ram truck were both traveling eastbound on I-4.

Authorities said the motorcyclist tried to overtake the truck but collided with the back of the truck. The motorcyclist was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he died.

Following the crash, the truck left the scene and turned northbound on Interstate 75 then turned back southbound on I-75 until stopped by troopers near milepost 268.

The 39-year-old was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of the crash, driving with a suspended license, and DUI.

Drunk drivers have delayed reaction times and impaired judgement, which makes them a huge risk to motorcyclists sharing the roadway. Our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are committed to keeping the roads and highways in the Tampa Bay area safe for motorcyclists. We know that injured riders often suffer significant physical, emotional and financial burdens, and we can help to lift these stresses by obtaining the financial compensation you deserve.

February 24, 2019

Largo Motorcyclist Killed in Hillsborough County Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 51-year-old Largo man was killed in an early Thursday morning motorcycle crash in Hillsborough County.

The crash happened just before 3 a.m. Thursday at southbound Interstate 275 and Lois Avenue.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the man lost control of his motorcycle and collided with a guardrail.

He was ejected from the motorcycle and fell off the overpass to Lois Avenue below.

He died at the scene.

Troopers are still investigating.

Guardrails and other roadside barriers are designed to protect vehicles from running off the road or colliding with trees and other obstacles. The reality is that roadway guardrails can pose more of a threat to motorcycles than help. If a bike hits a guardrail, as this story shows, the likely result is the rider will be thrown from their bike and seriously injured or even killed.

A motorcyclist losing control of their bike is not an uncommon situation. Bikers that find themselves losing control of their bike, should try and straighten up and take as much lean out of the bike as possible to control the bike as smoothly as you can. The best way to avoid this situation entirely is to only ride as fast as you can see the road ahead of you. You have to give yourself adequate time to see and respond to any visual clues on the roadway.

February 11, 2019

Motorcyclist Killed by Vehicle in Westchase

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 66-year-old motorcyclist in Westchase has died after a van struck him Saturday morning, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

According to deputies, the motorcyclist was driving a 2007 FJR motorcycle on southbound Race Track Road at the intersection of Countryway Boulevard.

The man reportedly stopped behind a silver Nissan Rogue at the intersection around 9:10 a.m., when the driver of a white Chrysler Town and Country van approached, striking both the motorcyclist and the Rogue.

The Sheriff’s Office said the motorcyclist was thrown from the motorcycle into the middle of the intersection.

He was airlifted to St. Joseph’s main hospital and was pronounced dead.

Deputies do not believe alcohol was a factor in the deadly crash.

Motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere, and they can happen for many different reasons. In many cases, a driver’s negligence or recklessness is directly responsible for causing a motorcycle accident. Many drivers simply fail to pay adequate attention to motorcyclists sharing the road. This can deliver devastating consequences to a motorcyclist involved in an accident.

After a serious motorcycle accident has left you or a loved one seriously injured or killed, our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can review the details of the accident free of charge and discuss whether you are entitled to seek financial compensation. Once we have all the facts, we can help you understand what the best steps to take next are.

January 14, 2019

Two Killed in Motor Scooter vs. Pickup Truck in Hillsborough County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two females riding a motor scooter were killed in a crash Saturday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

It happened at about 4:30 p.m. at Florida Avenue and Garland Court.

Troopers said two people were on a motor scooter traveling westbound on Garland Court when it tried to turn left onto Florida Avenue and entered the path of a Chevy pickup truck.

Both occupants of the scooter were ejected. One died at the scene of the crash, and other later died at Tampa General Hospital.

No further information is available at this time.

Many people believe that because motor scooters are small and do not go very fast, that these types of accidents do not deliver serious injuries. However, when motor scooter accidents occur, injuries can be as minimal as scrapes and bruises and as severe as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma and even death.

Motor scooters are light and slow, which makes motor scooters even more dangerous on the roads because there are times when they cannot keep up with the flow of traffic. This not only poses a danger to the operator and the passenger of the motor scooter, but also to the other drivers sharing the road.

If you or someone you love has been harmed in a motor scooter accident in the Tampa Bay area, our Tampa Bay Injury & Wrongful Death Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you act against the at-fault party and hold them accountable for their negligent actions. We will make sure that you are afforded all of the relief you deserve.

September 12, 2018

1 Dead in Crash Involving School Bus and Motorcycle in St. Pete

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle colliding with a school bus in Pinellas County Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators said the crash occurred at the intersection of 62nd Avenue North and 28th St. North. The bus was traveling west on 62nd Avenue, while the motorcycle, driven by a 21-year-old man, approached the intersection from the opposite direction.

When both vehicles reached the intersection, the bus driver turned the bus left onto 28th St. North, driving into the motorcyclists path, according to investigators. The motorcycle struck the right side of the bus, and the 21-year-old suffered fatal injuries in the collision.

None of the students or staff on board the bus were injured.

Motorcycle accidents are unfortunately far too common. School buses are larger vehicles sharing the road, so one small mistake on behalf of the driver can easily result in serious injuries and even death to motorcyclists involved in collisions.

Our Tampa Bay area Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton investigate bus accidents aggressively, and we will work to make sure you and/or your surviving loved ones get the full and fair compensation for serious injuries or wrongful death. Sometimes just settlements can be achieved through negotiations out of court, but we are not afraid to try the case in court. Our goal is to make sure you and your loved ones are taken care of financially in the future for the suffering endured.

August 4, 2018

Two Killed in Motorcycle Head-On Collision in Polk County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A head-on collision between a Ford Escape and a motorcycle left two people dead and one person with serious injuries.

The crash occurred around 4:27 p.m. on Sunday on US 98 just north of Rockridge Road in Polk County.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the Escape was traveling northbound on US 98 and traveled into the southbound lanes in an attempt to pass another vehicle.

The Escape entered the path of a motorcycle and both vehicles collided head-on, troopers said.

The occupants of the motorcycle, a 72-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman, were ejected from the vehicle. They were pronounced dead on scene.

The driver of the Escape, a 61-year-old woman suffered serious injuries and was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital.

According to the report, charges are pending.

Motorcycle head-on collisions may not occur as often as other types of motorcycle accidents, but when they do happen the aftermath can be devastating for a rider, any passengers and their families. Serious injuries, including wrongful death, are possible.

Head-on motor vehicle crashes happen when one vehicle crosses the centerline of a road or when one vehicle is traveling the wrong way down a one-way street or highway. This can occur when a driver is:

Drowsy
Drunk
Distracted
Otherwise negligent

Any driver whose negligent actions cause a head-on collision can be held liable for any damages that result from the crash. Our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you understand what action is needed to recover financial compensation. We know that this cannot bring back loved ones you have lost, but it can help you move forward with your life and work towards grieving your loved one properly.

June 11, 2018

Motorcyclist Killed in Collision with Motor Vehicle in Pinellas County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was hit and killed while traveling on U.S. 19 in Pinellas County on Wednesday.

Troopers identified the victim as a 25-year-old man from Port Richey. He was driving northbound on US 19 when a Ford F150 turned left into the path of the motorcycle causing the fatal collision.

He was transported to Mease Countryside Hospital where he later died.

Troopers say charges are pending against the 56-year-old female driver.

While there is a sense of freedom that comes with riding a motorcycle, there’s also a fear that other drivers won’t share the road. Every day, a motorcyclist is injured or killed in Florida. In too many incidents, the crash was caused by a negligent driver who was not looking or paying attention.

May 14, 2018

Motorcyclist Killed in Tarpon Springs Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a bus in Tarpon Springs on Thursday.

According to Tarpon Springs police, the crash occurred around 5 p.m. at the intersection of Tarpon Avenue and Huey Avenue.

The motorcyclist, an 18-year-old man, collided with a privately operated bus. No passengers were aboard the bus at the time of the collision.

Paramedics transported the biker to Florida Hospital North Pinellas, where he later died of his injuries.

No further information on the crash is available.

Intersections are dangerous places for bikers to be. If other motorists are distracted, running red lights or not implementing safe left-hand turns, they place motorcyclists and everyone else sharing the roadway at risk for suffering serious personal injuries or even wrongful death from potentially fatal accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a motorcycle intersection accident, our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you with your case.

Intersection accidents can happen for numerous reasons. Running red lights is a common cause for intersection accidents. Dangerous left-hand turns can also lead to serious intersection crashes. Motorcycles can easily get rear ended at intersections as well. Another common cause of intersection crashes is attributed to aggressive or distracted driving habits. Drivers travel in different directions at intersections, leaving very little to no margin for error. If motorists aren’t being safe, they’re putting other drivers at risk.

December 26, 2017

Motorcyclist Killed in Tampa Bay Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Tampa police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash early Saturday morning.

The crash occurred at South Manhattan Avenue and West Euclid Avenue.

Police believe the motorcyclist hit a tree.

The victim, a 36-year-old man, suffered fatal injuries.

The crash caused the road to be closed for several hours Saturday morning while police conducted the investigation.

No further information is available at this time.

Motorcyclists take on a certain amount of risk when they hit Tampa’s open roads. They are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in crashes, as they have nothing except their personal gear between them and the asphalt. After a motorcycle accident, talk to our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton. We can help you understand your rights.

Every motorcycle accident claim is different. It takes an aggressive attorney to argue with insurance claims adjusters and fight for the fair compensation you deserve. An investigation of the crash and injuries or wrongful death, along with any eyewitness and expert testimonies, can help prove a case and determine just damages.

November 13, 2017

Motorcyclist Killed in Treasure Island Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was killed Monday morning in a crash at a Treasure Island intersection.

According to Treasure Island police, the crash happened at 104th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard just before 9 a.m.

Police did not release details of the crash as of yet.

The crash remains under investigation.

Riding a motorcycle in a bustling city like Tampa Bay can be dangerous, especially when it comes to intersections. Even though every driver on the road has an obligation to drive safely, some do not. Sadly, there are drivers who do not pay attention to motorcyclists as they should, while others do not like having to share the road with motorcyclists and even go as far as intimidating them while driving. This type of behavior can quickly turn into an intersection accident. If a motorcycle accident at an intersection in the Tampa Bay area has left you injured or taken a loved one from you, our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help.