Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyer

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 24, 2014

Tampa Bay Injury Attorney :: St. Pete Man Struck and Killed by 3 Cars

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A St. Petersburg man died Sunday evening after he was struck by three cars while standing in Gandy Boulevard.

According to troopers, the 50-year-old man was standing between the inside and outside lanes of eastbound Gandy Boulevard at Snug Harbor Road Northeast shortly after 7 p.m. when he was hit by a Cadillac driven by a 54-year-old St. Petersburg man. The man told police that he failed to see the pedestrian until moments before the impact, and could not avoid hitting the man despite his attempts to swerve his vehicle away from the man’s body.

The deceased fell into the inside lane and was hit twice more, first by a Volvo and then by a Toyota.

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

February 3, 2014

Tampa Bay Car Accident Attorney :: Elderly Woman Backs into Crowd of People Killing 3 and Seriously Injuring 4

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An elderly woman accidentally backed into a crowd of people while leaving church late Sunday morning leaving three people dead and at least five more injured, according to authorities.

The crash occurred in the Sugar Creek Country Club 55-and-over mobile home community off Belinda Circle and Clubhouse Drive in East Bradenton.

79-year-old woman backs into crowd of people Sunday morning in church parking lot in Bradenton leaving three people dead and at least five more injured.

Witnesses claim the 79-year-old woman thought she put her large Chevrolet sport utility vehicle in “drive,” but actually shifted into reverse and traveled backward through the clubhouse parking lot.

An 80-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other women, ages 70 and 72, were both taken to Blake Medical Center where they later died.

Four others are listed in serious condition.

According to witnesses, the woman drove into and through the pedestrians, and kept driving until her vehicle went into a creek.

She left the scene with her family. She and her husband, who was a passenger in the car during the incident, were not harmed.

Just as the name suggests, backover accidents occur when a driver backs into something or someone. These types of accidents usually take place in parking lots or driveways. Even though these accidents generally occur at lower speeds, the results can be fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 221 people are killed in backover crashes in the United States in parking lots, driveways and other off-road locations, and an additional 71 deaths occur on public roads annually. Another 18,000 people nationwide suffer injuries each year from backover collisions. If you or someone close to you has been injured or killed in a backover accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.

January 23, 2014

Sarasota County Child Pedestrian Accident Attorney :: Sarasota Toddler Killed after Mom Backs Over Her

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Unfortunately, children are not only at risk for suffering a severe injury or death when out in the roadway or travelling as a passenger in a car, truck, SUV or other vehicle. Every year, numerous children are involved in back-over accidents and are even run over at their own home. Sadly, this type of crash recently resulted in the death of a Sarasota toddler.

Last week, a Sarasota toddler was killed after officials say she was run over by a car driven by her mother in Nokomis.

Reports indicate that the 20-month-old girl was run over around 5 p.m. in the 1000 block of Tarpon Court.

Deputies claim the couple at the home had just finished repairing their Honda Passport SUV, when the mother got inside the vehicle and pulled it forward.

A Sarasota County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you through this difficult time.

The mother claims she had last seen her 20-month-old daughter playing with bubbles on the porch, but the child apparently toddled into the driveway and was run over by the vehicle.

Deputies arrived on scene with the North Port Fire Department and made an effort to resuscitate the child.

The Sarasota County Fire Department transported the toddler to Venice Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

Driveway back over accidents, while quite tragic, are especially common in toddlers and young children that are not easily spotted when close to the back of a vehicle. These types of accidents also regularly occur in suburban areas where kids are frequently found playing in the street, riding bikes and wandering in the driveways of neighboring homes. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every week two children are killed by vehicles moving in reverse.
Continue reading