Wrongful Death

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 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 17, 2016

Motorcyclist Killed In I-275 Accident In Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 38-year-old motorcyclist was killed early Thursday on Interstate 275 in downtown Tampa.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was killed when he lost control of his 2001 Suzuki motorcycle, was thrown from the bike and then run over accidentally by a sheriff deputy’s cruiser.

Troopers believe that when the man lost control, he crashed into a concrete barrier. He then was thrown over a wall onto the northbound lanes of the highway.

He was then struck by an oncoming Pinellas County deputy’s cruiser. The 26-year-old deputy was not injured.

The motorcyclist died at the scene.

Losing a loved one unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident is devastating. When a motorcycle accident occurs, the injuries to the motorcyclist are often serious, and could result in death. The families of motorcyclists who are killed in accidents not only have to deal with the emotional loss, but they could face financial strain as a result of the loss.

If a family member was killed in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party that caused or contributed to the crash. Contact our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton who can help you understand your rights and how to recover the financial compensation you are entitled to.

November 9, 2016

School Crossing Guard Struck And Killed By Drunk Driver In St. Pete

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, a pedestrian was struck and killed Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. on 9th Ave. N.

The driver who hit him was charged with DUI manslaughter.

Officials believe the pedestrian, a 72-year-old school crossing guard, was setting up his school zone cones when he was hit by a vehicle.

A witness said a silver Toyota Scion was driving erratically and hit a pickup truck before hitting the man.

The driver also hit a school zone sign and a small tree and kept going several blocks, police said.

The man was pronounced dead at the hospital. He had been a crossing guard for three years. No one else was injured in the accident.

The driver of the Toyota, a 21-year-old man, was charged with DUI manslaughter.

DUI accidents are 100% preventable. Driving while intoxicated hinders a driver’s ability to safely execute the many tasks that can arise on the road. Regardless, many motorists still choose to carelessly get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

A whopping 39% of traffic deaths each year are alcohol related. On that same notes, more than half a million people are injured every year as a result of drunk driving accidents. These numbers include auto accidents and pedestrian accidents.

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury or wrongful death because of a drunk driving accident, our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will fight for your rights and aggressively pursue the damages you deserve. Drinking and driving is no accident, let us help you understand what steps to take next.

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.

September 22, 2016

Pinellas Park Motorcyclist In Critical Condition

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist is in critical condition after a crash in Pinellas County ejected him from his bike.

According to the Pinellas Park Police Department, the 41-year-old was driving his motorcycle near the western entrance of the Home Depot on 73rd Avenue North when a car pulled out in front of him.

The man was launched from his 2000 Honda motorcycle.

He was not wearing a helmet. After the crash, he was taken to Bayfront. The other driver and his passenger did not suffer any injuries.

The motorcyclist suffered severe injuries. He remains in critical condition. There are no criminal charges associated with this investigation, but officers said traffic citations are pending.

This article sheds some light on why it is so important to wear the proper safety gear on motorcycles. Even the most skilled riders cannot control the reckless and negligent actions of other drivers sharing the roadway.

The subject of whether a person should wear a motorcycle helmet comes up all the time. Some riders believe that they should have the freedom to ride without the constraints of wearing a helmet. Other riders recognize the dangers of riding without a helmet. Numerous studies have shown that a helmet can save a life. It can prevent a motorcyclist from brain damage and some severe neck injuries.

In the state of Florida, the law regarding motorcycle helmets is this:

A person over 21 years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without wearing a helmet if they are covered by an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle.

September 12, 2016

Excessive Speed Appears To Be Factor In Polk County Motorcycle Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A fatal crash occurred Friday evening in Lakeland involving a motorcyclist colliding with a pickup truck.

Officials believe that at approximately 3:20 p.m., a 37-year-old man was traveling southbound on Combee Road. He was riding a 2006 Honda 1000RR motorcycle.

Around the same time, a 70-year-old woman driving a 2002 Ford F 150 was pulling out into Combee Road from the parking lot of the Babcock store near the intersection of Combee and Tanglewood Street.

Deputies believe the woman crossed westbound across Combee Road toward Tanglewood Street, where the bike collided with the truck’s passenger side. The impact from the collision was enough to spin the woman’s truck clockwise, so it came to rest facing north.

The man was thrown from his motorcycle by the collision and sustained critical injuries. He later died while being transported by first responders to Lakeland Regional Hospital.

The woman in the truck was not injured in the crash.

At this time, investigators do not believe impairment was a factor in the crash. It was noted that excessive speeds appear to be a factor.

The man was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Motorcycle riders are more exposed when it comes to the road, which only increases their chances of suffering a serious injury in the event of a motor vehicle accident. What might not cause any damage to a car, could deliver devastating injuries to a motorcycle rider. Broken bones, burns, paralysis, and amputations are common injuries as a result of motorcycle accidents, especially when the accident involved high speeds.

Motorcycle accidents commonly occur due to the following:

Driver distractions
Failure to obey traffic signals
Failure to yield
Unexpected lane changes
Speeding

August 29, 2016

Motorcyclist Killed In Lakeland Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 53-year-old motorcyclist died in a crash with a truck early Monday morning.

It happened around 7 a.m. on Walt Williams Road and Walt William Loop.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2014 Ford F-150 was traveling south on Walt Williams Road.

At the same time, the 53-year-old biker was traveling north on Walt Williams Road on a 2014 Harley-Davidson FXDB.

Troopers believe that as the Ford turned left into a business parking lot, it traveled into the path of the motorcyclist.

Troopers believe the motorcyclist applied the brakes and began to skid in an effort to avoid the collision, but the truck and motorcycle collided.

The biker was transported to Lakeland Regional where he later died from his injuries.

Regardless of how safe a motorcyclist is on the road or how much safety gear they are wearing, many motorcycle accidents result in death. These sudden, unexpected tragedies leave family members and other loved ones feeling lost, sad, confused and even angry.