Truck Accidents

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.

December 5, 2013

Tampa Bay Trucking Accident Attorney :: Polk County Cyclist Seriously Injured in Accident with Semi Truck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A bicyclist was seriously injured Wednesday morning after he was struck by a semi-truck in Winter Haven.

The crash occurred at 10:25 a.m. on U.S 17 near Snively Avenue, according to reports.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a white semi-truck, hauling a 53-foot box trailer, was travelling northbound and attempted to turn onto Snively Avenue when it smashed into the 53-year-old bicyclist.

One of the man’s arms was crushed by the truck’s tires. Witnesses were able to help the man and stayed with him until emergency crews arrived.

He was transported by air to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in serious but stable condition.

Investigators do not believe speed or alcohol played a role in the collision.

The crash remains under investigation.

Bicycling is a very popular sport, especially in the Tampa Bay area where the climate is mostly warm year round. Even commuting by bicycle has become increasingly common in the area. Despite whether you just ride your bike for exercise on the weekends or if you are travelling on your bike every day to get to work, you most likely know the many safety precautions you must take on the roadways, such as wearing a helmet, following traffic laws and keeping an eye out for all other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road with you. However, even the safest bicyclist can find themselves involved in an accident that is not their fault. If a negligent motorist caused you to suffer injuries in a bicycle accident, a Tampa Bay Trucking Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you obtain financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

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.

September 30, 2013

Tampa Bay Trucking Accident Attorney :: Deaf Cyclist on Charity Ride Struck by Semi-Trailer

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 24-year-old Maryland man on a cross-country bike trip to raise money for hearing loss was forced to put the last leg of his more than 10,000-mile trek on hold after he was struck by a semi-trailer truck earlier this month.

The man was biking with his cousin on a highway from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg en route to Miami, the final stop on the almost six-month-long journey, when he was clipped by the mirror of a blue freight truck at around 9:40 p.m., according to a Polk County Sheriff spokeswoman.

He fell off his bike and landed on the shoulder of the roadway.

Emergency responders arrived at the accident site, but the man, who is deaf, was unable
to communicate since his hearing apparatus was knocked off.

He was taken to Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center in Sebring. He suffered a concussion, a broken nose, a fractured left cheek bone, road rash and bruising from his fall.

The man has since been released. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.

The man was born with normal hearing, but went deaf between the ages of two and 10. He endured cochlear implant surgery and was able to join the hearing world.

Last fall, he decided to combine his love for baseball, bike riding and helping others in hopes of raising money and awareness for cochlear implants.

The baseball fan set out on a bike trip to Major League Baseball stadiums across the country in April.

While the accident set him back a few weeks, he did make it to 30th and final stop on his charity ride Tuesday night to see the Miami Marlins game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park.

Before the accident, the man raised more than $140,000.

While the details regarding this accident are sparse, if the truck driver was aware that he hit the bicyclist, he could face criminal charges for failing to stop and wait for authorities. Additionally, the cyclist could seek financial compensation for the damages he suffered.