Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer

June 28, 2016

Leaving Children in Hot Cars Is Dangerous

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Each year, numerous accidental deaths occur when children are left inside hot vehicles. Since 1998, an average of 37 US children have died every year from being left inside hot cars. A good amount of these were caused by lack of attention and could have been prevented. In these cases, vehicular heatstroke can be a wrongful death case.

According to statistics from 1998 to present, children left inside cars are the result of three primary circumstances:

In 54 percent of cases the child was ‘forgotten’ to be in the car.
In 29 percent of cases, kids were playing unattended inside a car without the knowledge of the caregiver.
In 11 percent of cases, the child was intentionally left inside the car generally while the adult ran an errand.

Within minutes of being left inside a hot vehicle, a child is in serious danger. The following tips can help you prevent making a lethal mistake:

Never Leave A Child Alone In A Car. Sadly, 53 percent of all the children who died from vehicular heatstroke were under the age of 2. Some of this is because caregivers/guardians did not want to disturb sleeping infants or deal with unbuckling car seats for a “quick stop.” The truth is that even a few minutes can be fatal. The inside of a car can heat up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit in less than ten minutes on an average summer day.
Heatstroke Can Happen In Minutes. Heatstroke can happen in a child when their core body temperature reaches around 104 degrees and becomes lethal at 107 degrees. A child’s core temperature can spike three to five times faster than adults, so heatstroke can happen in temperatures as low as 57 degrees and in shaded areas. Symptoms that a child is reaching dangerous heat levels include disorientation, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Give Yourself A Reminder. Most cases of child deaths in cars involve forgetting the child was even in the car. You can prevent this by setting reminders and insisting that caregivers set reminders that there is a child in the back. Place something you need in the backseat so that you are trained to look in the back seat every time you exit the car, even if you don’t have a child with you.

June 21, 2016

Man Arrested in Collision That Killed Scooter Driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man on a scooter was killed early Tuesday by a car that had run a red light in Clearwater.

According to Clearwater Police, the crash occurred at 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of Belcher Road and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard.

Police believe the 55-year-old Palm Harbor man was on a scooter traveling northbound on Belcher Road when he was struck by a westbound 2006 Chrysler Sebring that ran the red light on Gulf-to-Bay.

The impact of the collision pushed the scooter into the side of a 1995 Lincoln Town Car that was also heading north on Belcher.

The scooter driver died at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

Police have identified the driver of the car that ran the red light and believe the driver showed signs of impairment.

The driver was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of driving with a suspended or revoked license in an accident involving death or serious bodily injury.

The driver of the Town Car suffered minor injuries.

Due to the increased use of mopeds and scooters, we have seen many more accidents, crashes, injuries and even fatalities. Lots of Floridians opt to travel by moped or scooter because of the pretty much warm year-round climate, which makes sense as these vehicles have much better gas mileage compared to cars, truck and SUVs.

A recent Florida study found the following to be common factors in scooter accidents resulting in serious injuries and wrongful death: lack of a helmet, the speed of the moped or scooter, the speed limit in the area of the accident, and the amount of traffic in the area.

June 13, 2016

Teen Critically Injured in St. Pete Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 19-year-old man suffered critical injuries in a St. Petersburg crash Saturday night.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash took place on 28th Street North and 47th Avenue North just before 11 p.m.

Troopers believe a 1999 Toyota Corolla traveling northbound on 28th Street was slowing to make a left turn onto 47th Avenue when a GMC pickup truck crashed into the back of it.

The Corolla was knocked into the parking lot of the adjacent B&N Food Mart at 4700 28th Street North and struck an unoccupied Ford Explorer.

The GMC continued northbound after the second collision and came to rest in the intersection of 28th Street and 50th Avenue North.

The 19-year-old passenger in the Corolla suffered critical injuries and remains at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

The driver of the Corolla, a 20-year-old Largo man, suffered serious injuries.

The driver of the GMC truck, a 40-year-old man, suffered minor injuries.

Troopers said charges are pending.

After an auto accident, taking care of your injuries should be your top priority. Most people injured in car crashes assume that because they have insurance that all of their injuries from the accident will be covered. However, the truth is that insurance companies are in business to make money, and even though your medical care is of the utmost importance, it is entirely possible that your insurance company won’t cover the full extent of your injuries.

June 8, 2016

Tampa Bay Woman Faces DUI After Causing Wrong Way Crash With Toddler In Car

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Ruskin woman has been charged with driving under the influence after deputies believe she caused a crash going the wrong-way with a toddler in her vehicle.

On Monday night, two Hillsborough County deputies were traveling northbound in the inside lane of 50th Street South in the area of Habersham Lane when they say they saw a small sedan driving southbound in the northbound lane.

According to reports, they conducted an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision with the small sedan but ended up hitting a small blue pickup as a result. After checking on that driver, they made a U-turn and caught up to the small sedan as it was approaching the intersection of 50th Street South and Causeway Boulevard.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the 31-year-old woman, during which they observed several signs of impairment. Deputies also noted that there was a toddler inside the vehicle.

Child Protection investigators responded and took custody of the child.

The woman was arrested for DUI. She has multiple suspensions to her Florida driver’s license for prior DUI offenses, as well as several non-extraditable warrants from other jurisdictions.

Additional charges are pending.

While not all wrong-way accidents are caused by intoxicated drivers, many of them are. It is easy for an intoxicated driver to not see signs or to not realize the consequences of entering a one-way street in the wrong direction.

June 1, 2016

1 Motorcyclist Killed, 1 Injured in Crash With Van in Tampa Bay

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

One motorcyclist died and another was critically injured Saturday in an accident in Tampa involving both riders colliding with a van.

According to Florida Highway Patrol troopers, the accident happened just after 4 p.m. at North Florida Avenue and Palm Drive. Two bikers, one 19 and the other 20, were riding southbound on North Florida Avenue when a van driven by by a 69-year-old man pulled into the road from Palm Drive into the motorcycle’s path.

The man reportedly failed to see the bikers as he pulled into the roadway to make a left turn onto North Florida Avenue. The bikers were both traveling in the left lane at high rates of speed, and both struck the van, according to reports.

The 19-year-old suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The 20-year-old suffered serious injuries and was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Both riders were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

The driver of the van was transported to Florida Hospital Fletcher and treated for minor injuries.

Charges in the case are pending the results of the investigation.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident with a passenger vehicle, you stand little chance of escaping the accident without any injuries. Bikers that are clipped by larger vehicles are much more susceptible to bodily injuries and even death due to their direct exposure to contact and lack of protection.

The most common injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries
Broken Bones & Fractures
Road Rash
Catastrophic Spine & Neck Injuries
Wrongful Death

April 28, 2016

Passenger Dies After Car Flips On I-275 in Pinellas County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Tampa man died Monday after he was involved in a single-vehicle crash on I-275 in Pinellas County.

The crash occurred at 4:43 p.m. on northbound I-275 at mile marker 26 in Pinellas County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 20-year-old Tampa woman was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier north on I-275. She was making several lane changes when she lost control and drove onto the grass median, which caused the Cavalier to overturn several times.

A 20-year-old male passenger was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, where he died later that day from his injuries.

The woman sustained minor injuries. She was ticketed for careless driving.

It is critical to pay attention to your driving habits and patterns as well as those of the motorists around you to make sure you do not behave carelessly behind the wheel. Driving carelessly can cause serious accidents and injury to you, passengers in your vehicle and others around you.

Some of the most common examples of careless driving are:

Texting & driving
Drifting between lanes
Assuming right-of-way
Not signalling when changing lanes or turning
Tailgating
Not stopping at intersections
Failure to stop for emergency vehicle
Improper lane change
Making an improper turn
Speeding

Defensive driving tactics are a vital part of being a cautious driver. In order to avoid driving carelessly, make sure to:

Signal before you turn
If changing lanes, signal then wait to make sure the other drivers see you before passing
Come to a complete stop at all stop signs
Do not let passengers take your attention off of the road
Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road
Follow the speed limit
Avoid using electronic devices or cell phones
Never tailgate – give the driver in front of you plenty of room

April 14, 2016

Motorcyclist Dies in Palmetto Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 62-year-old man died Sunday when he crashed into a car on U.S. 301 in Palmetto.

Palmetto Police believe the motorcyclist struck the rear of a Hyundai sedan just west of Canal Road at 8:30 p.m. The man was not wearing a helmet and died from his injuries at the scene.

The driver of the sedan, and her passenger, a four-year-old boy, were not injured in the incident.

The crash investigation closed westbound U.S. 301 between Canal Road and 12th Street East for approximately 3 hours.

No further information is available at this time.

Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries, and as this case shows, sometimes death for the biker and any passengers. The lack of protection that a motorcycle provides its riders is a big factor as to why collisions lead to such tragedies. Not wearing a helmet usually only increases a biker’s risk for suffering a life-altering injury or death as a helmet equips a rider with an extra layer of protection in the event they are thrown from the bike.

The following are 4 reasons you should wear a helmet when on a motorcycle:

It Reduces Your Risk of Head Injuries
It Makes you Easier to See
It Protects you from Road Debris
It Protects you from the Elements

When considering a helmet, make sure to look for the DOT or SNELL sticker inside or outside the helmet. This sticker means that the helmet adheres to the safety standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to research, education, testing and development of helmet safety standards.

April 11, 2016

One Dead, 2 Injured in St. Petersburg Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

One person died and two others were injured in a two-vehicle collision at 22nd Avenue South and 34th Street in St. Petersburg early Saturday morning.

According to authorities, at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, a 2010 Audi A4 was traveling southbound on 34th Street South. A 2000 Ford SUV was also headed southbound on 34th Street, and had stopped for the traffic signal at 22nd Avenue South.

The Audi was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to stop. It slammed into the rear end of the Ford SUV, propelling the Ford into a 2006 Honda, which was also was stopped for the red traffic signal.

The Ford caught fire. The driver was pulled out of the vehicle by a passerby as the interior went up in flames.

All three drivers were taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg for treatment. The Audi driver was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other two drivers were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Speed was a factor in the severity of the crash, according to police. It is unknown at this time if the Audi driver was impaired – toxicology reports are pending.

Speeding is one of the top causes of auto accidents. Speed limits exist for a reason – to keep those sharing the roadways safe. Engineers consider many factors when determining posted speed limits, such as the roads characteristics, shoulder conditions, grade, etc. The numbers they come up with matter and are heavily researched, which is why drivers should obey these rules. Sadly, many drivers ignore speed limits, which is why countless auto accidents occur each year that result in injuries or deaths.

Anyone who causes harm to others due to speeding can be held liable for all damages the victim(s) suffer. Our St. Pete Auto Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton understand that car accidents are terrifying tragedies that can result in severe damages and injuries to those involved. Accidents that are caused by another driver’s negligence can only intensify these situations. We can immediately investigate the cause of your crash and identify all crucial pieces of evidence that can determine exactly what happened.

March 15, 2016

Pedestrian Hit, Killed by Jeep in Brandon

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A pedestrian was killed Saturday night in Brandon after being hit by a Jeep , according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened around 11:30 p.m. along Parsons Avenue South.

Deputies believe the 44-year-old pedestrian crossed Parsons Ave. into the direct path of a Jeep for unknown reasons.

The woman was struck and thrown to the east shoulder of the roadway. She died at the scene.

The driver, a 30-year-old woman, told investigators she did not see the pedestrian until she was right in front of the vehicle.

Investigators believe the woman may have been intoxicated at the time.

No other details have been released.

Drivers who have consumed alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a car are more likely to make poor decisions and less likely to adjust to any abrupt changes in traffic conditions. Alcohol can affect your judgment, impair your motor functions and alter your depth perception, which is why a good amount of Tampa Bay DUI crashes result in very serious or fatal injuries.

If a drunk driver has killed someone you love, it is imperative to act quickly in order to ensure that they are held responsible for your losses. When a loved one is killed, the surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

It is important to understand that even if the driver responsible for your loss is convicted for drunk driving, it will not automatically result in a financial settlement. Our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will help protect your rights and make sure that you are offered fair and full compensation for your losses.

March 11, 2016

Biker Killed in Tampa Crash with Drunk Driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 26-year-old man is dead after he was hit by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle in Tampa.

The crash happened at 12:34 a.m. on Dale Mabry Highway near the intersection with Cypress Street.

Police the victim, from Wesley Chapel, was riding his 2002 Yamaha motorcycle south when a 1997 Chevrolet pick-up truck made a left turn in front of him.

The man was declared dead at the scene. Police said Wednesday was his 26th birthday.

The driver of the truck, a 37-year-old Tampa man, showed signs of impairment, so police arrested him on charges of DUI manslaughter. His blood was drawn and submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

When a motorist makes the choice to operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they place everyone sharing the roadway with them in serious danger. While a DUI is a criminal offense that is punished in criminal court, this does nothing to compensate motorcycle accident injury victims or the families of those who have lost loved ones in these types of accidents.

The drunk driver can actually be held financially liable for any injuries, damages and losses suffered by a victim or their family. Victims of motorcycle DUI crashes that survive often suffer severe physical injuries in addition to financial stress and emotional grief. Family members who have lost loved ones in drunk driving crashes might be struggling to pay the bills and provide for their families. Motorcycle DUI injury victims and the families of those killed can seek compensation for their losses, including medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, funeral expenses, future income and pain and suffering.