Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer

February 15, 2017

Millennial Drivers Riskiest Drivers on Roadways, According To Study

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Millennial drivers are behaving badly on U.S. roads, a trend that could be contributing to a spike in highway deaths, according to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

In 2015, U.S. traffic deaths rose 7 percent to 35,092, the largest single-year increase in five decades. They’re expected to rise again in 2016 when that data is finalized.

The study found that more than three-quarters of drivers said it was unacceptable to text or email while driving, but 31 percent had done so in the last month and 8 percent do so often. Ninety-six percent of drivers said drowsy driving is a serious safety threat, but 29 percent had recently driven when they were so tired they had trouble keeping their eyes open.

The study questioned 2,511 licensed drivers aged 16 and over. Here are the findings:

The youngest drivers — those ages 16 to 18 — were less likely to engage in speeding, running red lights or texting while driving than drivers in their 20s through 50s.
Eighty-three percent of drivers — and 86.5 percent of drivers 75 or older — said they were more careful than other drivers on the road.
Just over half of drivers feel seriously threatened by drivers talking on cell phones, but 68 percent made a call while driving in the last 30 days.
Drivers ages 40-59 were the most likely to use a hands-free phone in the car. Drivers ages 16-18 and 75 or older were the most likely to hold their phones and talk while driving.
Twenty-three percent of drivers — and 36 percent of those ages 19 to 24 — think it’s acceptable to drive 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway. Forty-six percent of drivers say they have driven that fast on a freeway in the last 30 days.
Sixty percent of drivers say people who drive after using illegal drugs are a serious threat, but just 34 percent say the same about people who drive after using prescription drugs.

Distracted driving is dangerous. All of us drivers should remember this every time we get behind the wheel of a car. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, nine people are killed in the United States everyday in accidents connected to distracted driving and an additional 1,153 are injured.

Texting, tweeting, eating, drinking, and all other distracted driving behaviors should be avoided while driving. Focusing on the road should be your number one priority. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident because of a distracted driver, our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you recover financial compensation to help cover the costs associated with the crash.

February 1, 2017

Man In Critical Condition After Motorcycle Crash In Hillsborough County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 21-year-old motorcyclist is in critical condition after a collision Monday night in Hillsborough County.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. at Busch Boulevard and Twin Lake Boulevard.

A 29-year-old driver of a Ford Focus was traveling westbound on Busch Blvd. and turned left at the intersection of Twin Lake Blvd.

FHP believes the driver of the Ford Focus traveled into the path of a motorcycle traveling eastbound on Busch Blvd.

The motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the Ford Focus.

The 21-year-old biker was ejected from the bike, according to FHP.

He was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the Ford Focus did not suffer any injuries in the crash.

According to the report, the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

Motorcycle accident injuries can be devastating, and oftentimes fatal. If you or somebody you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident due to a driver’s negligent or reckless behavior behind the wheel, you need the help of a Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton right away.

December 20, 2016

Pedestrian Killed Crossing Street In Lakeland

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Lakeland man was hit and killed Sunday night while crossing the road.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the accident on Broadway Avenue in Lakeland around 11:30 p.m.

Deputies believe the 22-year-old was crossing Broadway Avenue when he was hit by a Toyota Highlander. The 28-year-old driver apparently knew she hit something, but did not immediately stop to see what it was or realize that it was a person, and continued to drive to her home a quarter of a mile away.

Once at home, the woman called 9-1-1 and returned to the area of the accident to look for the victim.

The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center where he passed away.

Pedestrian accidents happen more often than we’d like and are definitely traumatic accidents. A pedestrian’s unprotected body cannot withstand the impact of a collision with a two-ton, perhaps even heavier, vehicle.

Victims of pedestrian accidents suffer severe injuries and sometimes death. Some of the most common injuries our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton see include:

Broken Bones
Skull Fractures
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Internal Bleeding
Disfigurement
Nerve Damage
Torn Ligaments
Lacerations And Bruising
Wrongful Death

If your loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, please let us help you through this difficult time. We know that no amount of money can bring back your loved one, but it can help you make sure your family’s future is secure.

December 5, 2016

1 Killed In Thonotosassa Motorcycle-SUV Collision

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Hillsborough deputies are currently investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle rider colliding with an SUV in Thonotosassa Friday.

Deputies believe the motorcycle and the SUV were both traveling south on Tom Folsom Road Friday around 4:31 p.m. As the SUV slowed to make a left turn onto Reylinda Avenue, the motorcyclist attempted to pass in the northbound lane.

The motorcycle then hit the SUV on the driver’s front side. The 30-year-old driver was ejected from the bike on impact.

The man and the bike slid into the grass off the southeast corner of the intersection. He was transported to Florida Hospital on Fletcher Avenue, where he died from his injuries.

The driver of the SUV, a 38-year-old woman, was not injured.

Alcohol is not thought to be a factor in the crash at this time.

Several car and motorcycle accidents are reported every day on Tampa Bay area roads and highways. Some are the direct result of speeding or disobeying traffic laws, and others are due to careless driving and even drunk driving. It is always important to exercise caution when driving any vehicle, including a motorcycle. You must pay attention any time you are in the driver’s seat to ensure your safety and that of your passengers.

December 3, 2016

Boy Drowns In Backyard Pool In Davenport

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 1-year-old child drowned Tuesday night in a pool at a Davenport home.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the child was found floating in the family’s pool at their home.

Deputies and emergency personnel responded to the home after the child was found floating in the pool just before 5:30 p.m.

Family members said the boy was able to get out through a sliding glass door without anyone noticing.

When the family noticed he was missing, they began searching for him and found him in the pool.

A neighbor, who is a registered nurse, performed CPR until emergency crews arrived but they were not able to save the boy.

Backyard swimming pool accidents usually result in catastrophic injuries and even death. According to the Center for Disease Control, drowning is a leading cause of injury and death for kids ages 1 to 4, and the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages. For children between the ages of 1 to 4 years old, swimming pools pose a huge risk of drowning injuries and wrongful death.

For every child under the age of 15 who dies from drowning in a swimming pool, another 10 children receive emergency room care for nonfatal drowning injuries. Nonfatal drownings can result in brain damage and long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functions.

November 30, 2016

Man Killed In Fatal Motorcycle Crash In Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 31-year-old Land O’ Lakes man was killed Wednesday morning in Tampa in a crash involving a motorcycle.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened at 56th Street and Hillsborough Avenue just before 7 a.m.

Troopers believe the motorcyclist ran the red light at the intersection while traveling west on Hillsborough Ave. He collided with a southbound Toyota pickup truck and was ejected from his motorcycle.

He died at the scene.

The 47-year-old driver of the pickup truck suffered minor injuries.

There can be many reasons a motorcyclist may run a red light. The driver might be in a new area, distracted by surroundings, or the traffic light could have malfunctioned, just to name a few. Running a red light is a top cause of auto accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, red light accidents are 47 percent more likely to result in injury or death.

November 29, 2016

Spilled Gravel Causes Cars To Crash On I4, 1 Man In Serious Condition

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 24-year-old man is in serious condition after a multi-vehicle crash on I-4 in Hillsborough County Tuesday morning.

The Florida Highway Patrol believes a truck traveling northbound on the crosstown connector entered the ramp to travel eastbound on I-4 and spilled a large amount of gravel onto the roadway, causing two vehicles to lose control and collide with the barrier wall.

According to the FHP report, the 24-year-old man got out of his vehicle to inspect the damage and was hit by a third vehicle. The impact caused the man to fall over the wall 33 feet to the ground below. He is in serious condition at Tampa General Hospital.

The other two drivers did not suffer any injuries.

Due to the accidents and spilled gravel, the ramp was closed for several hours.

FHP is asking anyone with information on the truck that spilled the gravel to call 813-631-4020.

An auto accident involving a dump truck can be quite serious, as this case shows. Dump trucks are primarily used for transporting materials like gravel, sand, or dirt for construction purposes. A car accident can easily occur when dump trucks spill materials on the roadway. Gravel can break windshields, blow out tires and cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and crash.

Auto accidents involving trucks can end in serious and sometime fatal injuries. If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck accident in Hillsborough County, our Tampa Bay Truck Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help with your personal injury or wrongful death claim. We firmly believe the at-fault driver should be held responsible for their actions.

November 28, 2016

One Dead, One Injured In Mobile Home Fire In Odessa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

One person was killed and another was injured early Monday in a mobile home fire in Odessa.

According to officials, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded just after 6 a.m. to a fire in the Silver Dollar Golf/Trap and RV Resort.

The firefighters found flames shooting through the roof of the double wide mobile home when they arrived and were also notified of a possible person still inside the home.

Crews immediately started search and rescue operations inside the home and firefighters located that person in the home. The person was found dead.

The 1-alarm fire destroyed the mobile home and caused damage to the outside of the neighboring homes.

During the fire, paramedics at the scene were notified of a person at a home across the street that needed medical attention. That person was taken to an hospital and their condition is improving, according to officials.

Officials have not released information on the people impacted or how the fire started.

An investigation will take place into what started the fire.

Approximately 11 million people live in mobile homes across the United States. On average 22,000 fires occur in mobile homes each year, killing 500 people and injuring another 1,000. Sadly, we see more fire deaths in mobile homes each year. In fact, fire death rates for mobile homes are twice those in other types of houses. The main culprit of mobile home fires is electrical and heating equipment.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a mobile home fire, you may be able to file an injury or wrongful death claim against the manufacturer for various defects. Some of the most common defects involve the following:

Smoke detectors
Egress doors and windows
Interior wall and ceiling covering materials
Plastic tub/shower fixtures
Draftstops
Appliances and electrical

November 10, 2016

New Bike Lanes Coming For Downtown Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to new reports, the Florida Department of Transportation is holding a public workshop to discuss a new bikeway through downtown Tampa.

The proposed bike lanes would be on the north side of Jackson Street, running from Ashley Drive to Nebraska Avenue.

The addition would look a lot like the new lanes already on Cass Street.

These bike lanes are considered a win win for the area due to the tremendous growth the area has seen.

In the early phases, locals will see protected bike lanes on Cass Street, or ‘the green spine,’ complete with bike signals.

While the addition will give cyclists a safe place to ride, cyclists can still face many dangers riding on the new lanes, and some of these risks include:

New drivers unfamiliar with traffic laws
Drivers unfamiliar of the new lanes
Intoxicated and negligent drivers
Need for bicycle maintenance
Failure to wear a helmet
Open door accidents

Bikers should always perform proper maintenance checks before they head out onto the roadways to make sure there brakes are in working order. In addition, they should wear protective gear.

Every cyclist should be aware of his or her surroundings at all times. If a cyclist is involved in an accident, our Tampa Bay Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. We can identify all negligent parties responsible for the accident.

October 20, 2016

Man Killed, 2 Injured In Car Crash in Fort Meade

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 55-year-old man was killed Wednesday evening in a crash in Fort Meade.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the two-vehicle crash occurred at 6:15 p.m. on County Road 630 just east of County Road 555.

Authorities believe a tan 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck being driven by a 27-year-old man was traveling eastbound on CR 630 when, for unknown reasons, went into the westbound lane.

The truck hit a white 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup truck being driven by 55-year-old man, which was heading westbound.

When the 55-year-old saw the oncoming truck in his lane, he attempted to brake and avoid the collision but was unable, officials said. He was not wearing a seatbelt, according to officials, and died at the scene.

The other driver and his 24-year-old passenger had to be extricated from their truck.

Both were airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where they are listed in serious condition.

The investigation is ongoing.

Although it can be tempting to drive without buckling up, Florida law requires everyone to wear a seat belt. Here are a few things you should know about Florida’s seat belt law:

All passengers under 18 years old must wear a seatbelt or be otherwise restrained by a child car seat.
All passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt.
Children 3 and younger must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat.
Children 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child restraint seat or safety belt.
The Driver is responsible for buckling up children.

Unfortunately, even if you are wearing your seatbelt, you can get injured or killed in a car accident. However, by wearing a seatbelt, you are less likely to be severely injured. If you are the victim of a an auto accident in Polk County or the surrounding areas, our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help.