Tampa Bay Injury Attorney Blog

Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties Whittel & Melton, LLC

Accidents caused by other people's negligence are by their very nature, unplanned. It's for this reason that when an accident happens, victims may find themselves bridled with injury, pain and financial losses, not knowing which way to turn.

Being involved in an accident can be one of the most unsettling and devastating times in a person's life. During this time, having a seasoned attorney on your side, looking out for your best interest, can be the difference between becoming whole or struggling with pain and financial loss for years to come. If you are a victim of an accident, who you select as your attorney is the most important decision you need to make.

We are here to help.

The Tampa Bay Personal Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton guarantee that our clients receive the personalized attention they deserve. Our first priority is doing everything in our power to fight for full and fair compensation for your injury and loss.

Our Pinellas and Hillsborough County personal injury practice involves every type of injury case-- from serious car or motorcycle accidents to slip and falls to premises liability. The first step we take with our prospective clients is to schedule a free consultation to discuss the facts of the case. Our St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyers then will offer advice about options to seek financial recovery following a serious accident, catastrophic injury or the wrongful death of a loved one. We represent clients on injury claims arising from of a wide range of incidents and accidents. Click any area to the left to learn more about the scope of our practice.

If you have been in an accident, we don't think that you should have to suffer unnecessarily just because you were involved in an accident and are awaiting resolution to your case. While we cannot take the pain away, many times, we are able to refer you to Doctors who will treat and manage your pain, even if you don't have health insurance.

We Stand with You.

Most importantly, at Whittel & Melton, you can be confident that we will stand behind you and your case. Once we commit to representing you, we will never put you or your claim on the back burner, and we are available by phone 24 hours a day.

We promise to aggressively pursue the parties and insurance companies involved in your case to obtain justice for you and your loved ones. Through financial settlement or trial, we will prepare your case to achieve maximum compensation. You will never be responsible for any attorney's fees unless and until there is a successful financial recovery for your damages. Simply put, we will not be satisfied until you are.

We are proud to help accident victims throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties – including Tampa, Brandon, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida.

Please call us at anytime. We are available 24 hours a day. (813) 221-3200, (727) 823-0000, (866) 608-5529.

December 28, 2023

News: Lane attempt leads to fatal Riverview pickup truck crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

RIVERVIEW, FL – A pickup truck driver tried to change lanes, leading them to collide with another pickup truck, claiming their lives and the lives of two boys and a 34-year-old woman.

This collision happened after 3 p.m. Wednesday on I-75, north of the Selmon Expressway, according to Bay News 9. After the driver of the first pickup truck collided with the second vehicle, their truck overturned, while the second truck eventually stopped in an emergency lane.

The driver of the first truck, a 36-year-old adult, and a 12-year-old boy, and a 34-year-old woman succumbed to fatal wounds at the scene. The other passenger, a 14-year-old boy, was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

December 27, 2023

Hillsborough Co. investigates injury crash in Riverview

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

RIVERVIEW, FL – The Hillsborough County deputies are investigating a crash that led at least one person to sustain injuries at a junction Wednesday afternoon.

This crash happened at Bloomingdale Avenue and Duncan Road. Hillsborough County deputies are investigating the circumstances that led to this collision and have not provided additional information at this time.

Our newsroom will be sure to add more details as we come to learn more.

December 27, 2023

News: 2 seriously hurt, 20-year-old woman killed in Wimauma wreck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

WIMAUMA, FL – A 20-year-old female passenger lost her life, and two drivers were seriously injured in a crash at U.S. 301 and Bill Tucker Road on Monday.

WFLA said this crash happened before 8:30 p.m. when a 16-year-old teenager, a Ruskin resident (going north on the highway), struck the driver of a Chrysler 300 turning left (traveling south on U.S. 301).

Both drivers (who sustained serious wounds) and the 20-year-old woman were not properly restrained and were sent to a hospital. There, the woman later passed away.

December 27, 2023

U-turn collision in Hillsborough Co. claims life of 17-year-old teen

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – A 44-year-old man operating a Chevy Equinox made a U-turn and collided with a teenage driver’s vehicle, leading the 17-year-old to die from his injuries Sunday.

This collision happened before 2 a.m. on U.S. 41 near Villemarie Road, WFLA said. Florida Highway Patrol said the 44-year-old man was going south while the teenage motorist was going north.

The teenager attempted to avoid the collision by pursuing “evasive action.” However, the attempt did not work, and his vehicle went into the grassy median, rotated, and the 17-year-old crashed into a ditch, resulting in his automobile rolling over numerous times before he struck many stationary vehicles at a car dealership.

December 27, 2023

Pasco County Leads Tampa Bay in EV Use: Are These EV’s Safe? | Pasco County Car Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

As electric vehicles gain popularity, new data show that Pasco County tops the Tampa Bay area in EV usage.

According to the mobility analytics firm Replica, Pasco residents drive more EV miles than residents in any other Bay Area county.

This year, Replica data showed an expected 352 EV miles per 1,000 Pasco County people. This is six miles more than the next-highest county in the Bay area, Manatee County. It is also 58% greater than Pinellas County, which has a higher population density.

Authorities anticipate that the number of EVs on the road will rise as they install more charging stations around Pasco County.

Pasco and Manatee counties were both among the top ten counties in Florida for EV use.

Duval County, Volusia County, Orange County, and Brevard County also took top spots for EV use in 2023.

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are gaining popularity by the day. With the promise of being more environmentally friendly and less expensive to operate, it is no surprise that consumers are abandoning gas-powered vehicles, especially with commutes from Pasco County to Tampa Bay or St. Petersburg totaling 60-65 miles roundtrip.

Are EV’s Safe?

There are several hazards related to electric vehicles that you need to be mindful of, such as:

Electric vehicles have a high risk of injuring non-motorists, such bikers and pedestrians. The relatively quiet operation of electric vehicles is one of their primary risks. Since electric cars are almost silent when in motion, pedestrians who might not be able to hear the automobile approaching face a risk.
This is especially critical for visually impaired individuals who rely on the sound of a passing car to keep them clear from danger.
Electric cars have the potential to catch fire. Fires can occur if the battery or the vehicle’s charging system have a problem. Firefighters used 30,000 gallons of water in an unsuccessful attempt to put out the fire in a fatal crash involving a Tesla that struck a tree and caught fire in 2021. After several hours, the firefighters gave up and let the fire extinguish on its own.
Hazardous poisons may be released into the environment by the batteries in electric cars.
Given the high cost of their batteries, electric vehicles are more vulnerable to theft.
After an EV crash, first responders are at risk of electrocution.

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How Can You Stay Safe After an EV Accident?

You can better protect yourself in an electric vehicle accident by taking the following actions:

Turn off the vehicle and step away from it.
Get checked out by a doctor, even if you think you are fine.
Inform the police as soon as you can. Then contact your insurance company to notify them of the accident.
Document everything you can and, if possible, get witness statements and contact information.
Give our Pasco County Car Accident Lawyers a call at 727-847-2299.

December 22, 2023

News: Troopers called to crash at Lealman intersection

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Florida Highway Patrol was summoned to a collision at the northbound 54th Avenue and Main Street junction in the Lealman district Friday.

Troopers were made aware of this crash at 4:27 p.m. and arrived at the scene at 4:40 p.m.

Officials did not specify the events leading up to this collision, list the kind of people and vehicles involved, or say if anyone was injured.

December 22, 2023

News: Sarasota Police investigate injury crash near Pioneer Park

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SARASOTA, FL – Sarasota Police are investigating a collision reported Friday, south of Pioneer Park, that resulted in sustained injuries.

This crash happened before 4 p.m. at the 10th Street and Cocoanut Avenue intersection. Police have not extended many details, but they did indicate that at least one person suffered wounds.

Our newsroom will provide more information as it becomes available.

December 22, 2023

News: At least 1 hurt in crash at I-4, McIntosh Rd. in Dover

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

DOVER, FL – At least one person sustained injuries in a collision at the I-4 West and McIntosh Road junction Friday.

Florida Highway Patrol was just made aware of the crash and has not indicated any road closures. They have not said if anyone sustained injuries or revealed the events leading up to this crash.

More details will be provided as it becomes available.

December 21, 2023

News: Crash blocks junction in Egypt Lake-Leto district

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TAMPA, FL – The West Busch Boulevard and North Himes Avenue intersection in the Egypt Lake-Leto district is blocked due to a collision reported Thursday night.

Florida Highway Patrol has not yet arrived at the scene and has not provided details regarding the events that led up to this collision.

Our newsroom will provide more information as we come to learn more.

December 21, 2023

News: North Sarasota collision injures at least 1

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NORTH SARASOTA, FL – A crash on the 2035 block of Washington Boulevard injured at least one person Thursday night.

Sarasota Police arrived at the scene before 5:45 p.m. They are analyzing the events that led to this collision and have not indicated the people and vehicles involved or specified the severity of wounds sustained.

Updates will be provided as more details come to light.