Motorcycle Accidents

December 8, 2014

Man Charged in DUI Crash that Killed Motorcyclist in Haines City

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 37-year-old Kissimmee man has been arrested for DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in an October collision that killed a motorcyclist in Haines City.

According to Polk County deputies, FDLE blood analysis showed that the man arrested had a blood alcohol content of .145 when he caused the fatal crash on October 12, 2014.

According to reports, the man was driving his 2000 silver Chrysler Concord westbound on Johnson Avenue in Haines City around 5:41 p.m. when he passed another vehicle travelling westbound in a no passing zone.

Deputies believe the man’s car entered the eastbound lane and into the path of a Harley motorcycle being driven by a 52-year-old Lakeland man. The two vehicles hit head-on. The biker was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the crash, deputies sent a sample of the man’s blood to the state FDLE lab for analysis. Once the results were returned to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies obtained a warrant for the man’s arrest.

On November 27, the man was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail. He was released on November 29 after posting bond.

Most accidents that result from a drunk driver will result in criminal charges being filed. Additionally, the victim of the accident may be able to file a civil claim for his or her injuries. In a case where there is a death, the family of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim.

Filing a claim will not fill the void that is left after losing a loved one, but it can provide some sense of closure. It may help to know that the at-fault party is being held accountable for their negligent actions. Filing a claim can also help to alleviate costs, such as medical bills or funeral arrangements that a family was not prepared to pay for.

December 1, 2014

Woman Dies in St. Petersburg Motorcycle Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Palmetto woman who was involved in a motorcycle crash last weekend passed away from her injuries.

The 52-year-old woman was riding as a passenger on a motorcycle Saturday morning at 1:45 a.m. when the driver lost control and crashed on 54th Avenue N just east of 16th Street N.

St. Petersburg police believe the 52-year-old driver of the 2014 Harley-Davidson was traveling east in the curb lane when he failed to negotiate a slight bend in the roadway and struck the south curb.

He lost control of the motorcycle and it exited the roadway. The motorcycle then slid on its right side, hit a road sign and came to a stop at 54th and 15th Street N. Both the man and woman were ejected from the motorcycle. The man was treated for his injuries at the scene. The woman was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg where she was pronounced dead at 2:34 p.m.

The investigation is still underway.

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents happen all too frequently because drivers fail to notice motorcycles and do not take reasonable care for the safety of motorcyclists. According to a study by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are actually 37 times more likely to be fatally injured in a collision and 9 times more likely to be injured.

November 26, 2014

46.3 Million to Hit Roads Thanksgiving Weekend: Travel Smart, Stay Safe

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Gas prices across the country are at an average of $2.85 a gallon, which is the lowest cost for the entire year and down 43 cents from this time last year. According to AAA, travelers should anticipate more traffic on the roads as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.

AAA estimates that nearly 46.3 million people will travel a distance of at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving weekend, Wednesday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 30. This is a 4.2 percent increase from last year and the highest anticipated volume since 2007.

According to AAA, around 90 percent of those travelling for the Thanksgiving holiday will do so by automobile. In accordance with that, Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to be at the highest level since 2007, with 3.55 million people flying.

Those who are driving to get to their Thanksgiving destination should plan their time out properly. It is estimated that it will take at least 25 percent longer to get to your final stop. In fact, Wednesday pre-Thanksgiving rush hour is expected to begin about two hours earlier than on a typical Wednesday. The worst delays are expected to occur between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The National Safety Council expects 418 people will be killed during the Thanksgiving holiday and another 44,700 seriously injured. The best thing that you can do to protect yourself and those you love is to buckle up.

The following safety tips can help make sure your Thanksgiving holiday is safe and sound:

Check to see that your vehicle is in proper working order.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas, check the tire air pressure and make sure the windshield fluid is full.
Always wear a seatbelt and follow the speed limit.
Stay well-rested so that you can be alert behind the wheel.
Exercise caution in construction areas and work zones.
Avoid distractions – do not text and drive, refrain from calling or receiving phone calls and always pay attention to the road.
Take a break. Long trips may require you to stop frequently or even switch drivers.
Keep an emergency preparedness kit inside the vehicle with useful items, such as water, snacks, a flashlight, first aid kit, extra cash and blankets.

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.

May 19, 2014

Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyer :: Motorcyclist Killed in Collision Saturday in Polk County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 52-year-old woman was killed Saturday after she failed to maneuver a turn on the southbound off-ramp from U.S. Hwy 27 to U.S. Hwy 192 in Haines City on her motorcycle.

The woman tried to correct and was ejected from her motorcycle. The motorcycle landed on top of her.

According to reports, other motorcyclists were riding along with her and stopped to help. The woman was taken to Heart of Florida Hospital, where she later died.

Motorcycles can be an efficient mode of transportation as well as a relaxing hobby for many people throughout the Tampa Bay area. While there are many benefits to owning a motorcycle, these vehicles are inherently dangerous, placing riders at a greater risk of collisions and injuries. When it comes to miles traveled, it is estimated that motorcycle accidents are 35 times more likely to result in a fatality than a car accident.

Motorcycle riders are more likely to be involved in serious accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries and death because of the following factors:

Minimal Protection. Motorists travelling in cars and trucks have a great deal of protection if involved in a collision, as passengers are basically encased inside of metal boxes. Motorcycles do not offer very much protection as they lack safety features such as seatbelts and airbags and leave riders exposed to the elements. While riders can wear helmets and other protective gear help keep themselves safe, they are still quite vulnerable to serious harm when a collision occurs.

Visibility Issues. Motorcycles are often less visible to other motorists sharing the roadway as they are smaller and can be hidden by objects in the roadway making them more difficult to spot by other drivers, especially at intersections.

Less Stable than Cars. Motorcycles only have two wheels, making them less stable for riders when they have to brake suddenly or swerve. Because they are less stable than vehicles with four wheels, motorcyclists can be easily thrown from their bikes or wipe out.

Hazardous Road Conditions. While certain road conditions, like debris, small objects, uneven surfaces or wet pavement have little to no effect on passenger vehicles, they place motorcyclists at serious risk of becoming involved in a crash.

April 14, 2014

Clearwater Drunk Driving Motorcycle Accident Lawyer :: Fatal Clearwater Motorcycle Crash Leads to DUI Manslaughter Charges

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Clearwater woman is facing DUI manslaughter charges following a crash that killed a motorcyclist Sunday night.

The 47-year-old woman was arrested after the accident, which occurred around 9:40 p.m. at Missouri Avenue and Belleair Road.

As of Monday morning, she was being held in the Pinellas County Jail without bail.

Clearwater police believe the woman was driving a 2001 Buick Century south on Missouri when she turned left at Belleair and crossed into the path of a 24-year-old motorcyclist traveling north on Missouri on a 2007 Kawasaki.

According to reports, the woman showed signs of impairment at the scene and admitted to consuming alcohol before the crash happened.

The intersection was shut down while traffic homicide teams investigated.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every two minutes across the United States, someone is injured in an alcohol-related traffic accident, and someone is killed every 45 minutes. In fact, more than 40 percent of all fatal traffic accidents involve drunk drivers. Even more shocking is the reality that drunk motorists, on average, drive intoxicated 87 times before they are stopped by police and arrested.

If someone you care for has been killed in a motorcycle accident caused by a drunk driver, please know that you are well within your rights to seek damages against the at-fault driver. A Clearwater Drunk Driving Motorcycle Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton understands that various challenges can present themselves to family members following a tragic accident and can provide you with the legal experience and resources needed so that any negligent parties can be held liable for their recklessness.

Pursuing a wrongful death claim from an intoxicated motorist is not always just about getting even. Rather, it is about taking care of you and your family’s future, personal well-being and quality of life. Obtaining financial compensation for any medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other accident-related damages is a way to overcome any long-lasting financial hardships that usually accompany a serious accident. Pursuing legal action can help you achieve a sense of justice as well as make sure you and those close to you are taken care of both now and in the future.

April 4, 2014

Polk County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer :: Biker Dies in Collision with Truck in Auburndale

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Winter Haven motorcyclist was killed Thursday morning after a box truck smashed into him, according to investigators.

The crash occurred at the intersection of State Road 559 and County Road 559A in Auburndale shortly after 11 a.m.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the driver of a 2003 white Chevrolet box truck was travelling north on State Road 559 when he pulled into the right hand turn lane. However, the driver apparently realized he was turning the wrong way and attempted to make a left turn onto County Road 559 A from the right turn lane.

The 68-year-old motorcyclist was riding a 2009 Harley Davidson on the same road when he saw the truck slow in the turn lane but kept heading north on State Road 559.

The driver of the truck ran into the motorcyclists’ path when he cut across the lanes to make a left turn. The biker attempted to stop, but ultimately smashed into the right rear end of the truck.

Emergency crews tried arrived at the scene and determined the man was killed on impact. According to investigators, the man was wearing his helmet at the time of the incident.

County Road 559A and State Road 559 were closed at the intersection for nearly three hours before it reopened.

The investigation is ongoing.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to seek financial compensation for your losses. The law allows injury victims and surviving family members of those killed in these types of accidents to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. A personal injury or wrongful death claim can successfully get you the proper compensation needed to move on from such a tragic accident.

When a motorcycle is hit by a semi, garbage truck, delivery truck or another large commercial vehicle, the injuries are often very serious, if not fatal. Motorcycles leave riders completely vulnerable in the event of a collision. Unfortunately, the trucking company’s insurance carrier will likely try to deny responsibility for the accident and refuse your claim for financial compensation. A Polk County Motorcycle Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton can fight for you.

February 20, 2014

Brandon motorcyclist killed; driver of other car still at large

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Tampa Tribune is reporting that a Brandon motorcyclist was killed Sunday when he lost control of his bike after another car turned in front of him.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 46-year-old man was traveling westbound on Interstate-4 onto the northbound entrance ramp to I-75 when a driver changed lanes, driving into the motorcyclist’s path.

While he tried to avoid a collision, he lost control of his motorcycle, crossed the center grass median, flipping his bike. He was not wearing a helmet, but his passenger was wearing one.

February 17, 2014

Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Attorney :: Scooter Rider Struck and Killed by Minivan in Sarasota

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A scooter rider was killed Saturday night in Sarasota after the unidentified male rider turned into the path of a minivan and was struck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The rider was headed west on Clark Road around 8:40 p.m. Troopers claim that he turned left on a red light into the path of a Dodge Caravan at the intersection with Honore Avenue.

The rider was thrown from the scooter and pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the mini-van, a 41-year-old Thonotosassa woman, was not harmed. None of the three passengers riding in the van suffered injuries either.

Scooter sand mopeds have become increasingly popular within the last few years due to the rise in gas prices. While these vehicles can be quite useful in urban settings, their small size and slow speeds, which allows for high gas mileage, makes their riders even more vulnerable than motorcycle riders in the event of a collision. Scooter and moped accidents are frequently caused by other drivers. Sadly, the injuries sustained in these types of accidents can be long-lasting and often result in death.

A scooter rider struck by another motor vehicle can suffer a wide array of injuries. Even minor injuries can take a significant toll on your well-being. A Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you fight for the rightful compensation you deserve if you have suffered from any of the following injuries in a scooter or moped accident:

Spinal Cord Trauma
Head or Neck Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Broken Bones or Fractures
Bruises or Contusions
Lacerations and Scrapes
Road Rash
Wrongful Death

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.