Sarasota County Injury Lawyer

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.

November 4, 2013

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney :: 3-Year-Old Critically Injured in Sarasota Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A three-year-old boy was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition Saturday night after being struck by a car in Sarasota.

The crash took place on Bee Ridge Road and Briggs Avenue around 7 p.m., according to reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol believes the child ran into the road from the shoulder and in front of a car. The 70-year-old man who was behind the wheel apparently tried to swerve out of the way to avoid making contact with the child, but could not.

The driver and his passenger did not suffer any injuries.

Child pedestrian accidents can happen at any time of day for many different reasons. Usually children wind up the victims of pedestrian accidents for two reasons – not following pedestrian safety rules or because of a distracted or reckless driver. Sadly, 630 children, on average, are killed every year in child pedestrian accidents. Another 39,000 suffer serious injuries in pedestrian accidents caused by negligent motorists.

When a negligent driver hits a pedestrian the aftermath can be tragic. The parents or guardians of a child who has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident caused by a careless driver can usually seek some type of financial compensation from the at-fault driver. While no amount of money can change your child’s physical condition, it can help pay for growing hospital bills, long-term care and other bills that rack up as a result of the accident. Money is the last thing you want weighing on your mind during this difficult time. A Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton can get to work on your case right away so that you can focus on your child’s recovery.

September 25, 2013

Tampa Bay Auto Accident Injury Lawyer :: Sarasota Bicyclist Killed in Bee Ridge Collision

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 44-year-old Sarasota bicyclist was killed Monday after he was struck by a vehicle on Bee Ridge, authorities said.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, the man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred near the intersection of Hidden Glen Drive east of Interstate 75.

Based on evidence picked up at the scene of the accident and witness statements, troopers have pieced together that the man was lying in the eastbound lane of Bee Ridge with his bicycle nearby when he was run over by the automobile around 9:30 p.m.

The driver of the vehicle that hit the man apparently told troopers he did not notice the man before the collision.

It is unknown at this time why the man was lying in the roadway.

Biking is a common mode of transportation in the Tampa Bay area, especially with Florida’s year-round warm temperatures. Bicyclists can be found on the roads commuting to and from work, exercising or just partaking in a fun recreational activity. Sadly, many bicyclists find themselves the victims of auto accidents on the busy streets of Tampa, Brandon, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton and Sarasota.

Bike riders are particularly susceptible to severe injuries when involved in a collision with an automobile. Aside from a helmet, bicyclists lack further protection to withstand the impact of a motor vehicle. Even if a cyclist is wearing a helmet, this may not be able to protect a biker from suffering a serious injury or death.