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.

August 4, 2023

News: Deputy hurt after another driver runs red light, causes crash in Valrico

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

VALRICO, FL – A 34-year-old female driver suspected of impairment ran a red light and crashed into a deputy’s vehicle, leading the officer to sustain injuries.

This wreck occurred at the South Valrico Road and East Lumsden Road intersection after 1 a.m. Friday, WTSP revealed. The deputy was operating a marked Chevrolet Tahoe on southbound Valrico Road when the woman – Brittny Moore – ran the “steady red light” and struck the officer.

Moore had a blood alcohol level of .066 or .068 and was arrested for DUI. She was charged with DUI with, personal damage and personal injury.

August 3, 2023

News: Crash reported at I-275 South in St. Petersburg

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Troopers were called to a collision at I-275 South at mile marker 21 before 6 p.m. Thursday.

At least one lane was blocked. However, that has been cleared since. Officials have not indicated how many vehicles and people there were, said if injuries were sustained, and revealed the contributing factors of this collision.

Our newsroom will be sure to post updates as they become available.

August 3, 2023

News: Injuries reported in crash near Big Bend Professional Park

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – At least one person sustained injuries in a crash near Big Bend Professional Park Thursday, Hillsborough County deputies revealed.

Deputies arrived at the collision site – the Summerfield Crossing Boulevard and Summerfield Commerce D Park junction – after 6:40 p.m.

Officials have not indicated how many people and vehicles were involved and what exactly led to this collision.

August 3, 2023

News: Police dispatched to crash in Forest Hills Village

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TAMPA, FL – Tampa Police were on the scene of a collision that happened at the West Busch Boulevard and North Rome Circle junction in the Forest Hills Village Thursday.

Police were called to the crash site around 6 p.m. The exact details of this collision are not immediately clear, information that includes how many people and vehicles there were and if injuries were sustained.

Our newsroom will post additional information as it becomes available.

August 3, 2023

New Tesla Rideshare Service Coming to Downtown Tampa in October | Tampa Rideshare Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A new rideshare service called ‘DASH’ is projected to launch in downtown Tampa starting in October where you can request a Tesla ride from a professional driver for just a few dollars.

DASH stands for Downtown Area Shared Hubs and will be managed by the Tampa Downtown Partnership, a private nonprofit comprised of businesses and groups working to improve Tampa’s downtown.

An app will be available for riders to request a DASH ride between more than 20 hub locations in downtown Tampa neighborhoods.

Interim Tampa Downtown Partnership President Shaun Drinkard stated that drivers will also be educated as tour guides. They will apparently have information on what is going on around town and will be enthusiastic ambassadors ready to educate riders on the city of Tampa.

Drinkard stated that the idea is to make fast journeys around Tampa easier and less expensive than other ride-sharing services such as Uber. The goal of this operation is for short runs, like if it is raining or too hot to get to your car parked on the other side of downtown or to a nearby restaurant where you have reservations.

The vehicles will be Model Y Tesla’s that have been painted yellow to stand out and for security purposes. The Model Y is a zero-emission, all-electric vehicle, making it a green mobility alternative.

Locations, pricing, and operating hours will be revealed in the following weeks. The service is set to go live in October.

Serious Injuries and Fatalities from Model Y Tesla’s

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 Tesla Model Y 5-Seat SUV a 5-star overall safety rating, reports suggest that these vehicles have been involved in multiple major injury and fatal collisions. Among the most recent disastrous collisions with the Tesla Model Y are:

A North Carolina student suffered serious injuries in a pedestrian collision involving a 2022 Tesla Model Y on March 16, 2023. The incident apparently occurred after Tesla failed to stop for a stopped school bus. The student was flown to the hospital by air ambulance for treatment of life-threatening injuries. The motorist was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and passing a stopped school bus.
Two people were killed on June 14, 2023, when their 2021 Tesla Model Y slammed into a tree in Santa Clara, California. The incident was described as a single-vehicle collision that occurred near Forbes Avenue on the San Tomas Expressway. Unfortunately, a 44-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter were killed in the crash.
Two people were killed in an automobile collision on Highway 26 near milepost 10 in Clatsop County, Oregon, on May 28, 2022. A 2020 Tesla Model Y allegedly lost control and collided with a Hyundai Tucson in the approaching lane. According to Oregon State Police, both drivers died as a result of the accident.

August 2, 2023

News: At least one hurt in I-275 crash in St. Petersburg

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Florida Highway Patrol revealed that at least one person suffered injuries in a collision on northbound I-275 at mile marker 26 Wednesday.

Troopers were summoned to the scene at approximately 5:40 p.m. and arrived at precisely 5:46 p.m. They have not indicated what the contributing factors were, listed the number of people and vehicles involved, or said if anyone was hurt.

Our newsroom will be sure to provide updates as details surface.

August 2, 2023

News: Police investigates crash at S MacDill Ave.

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TAMPA, FL – Tampa Police were summoned to a collision at the S MacDill Avenue and Interbay Road intersection after 5 p.m. Wednesday.

This crash occurred in the Ballast Point district. Police did not indicate how many people and vehicles there were, said if anyone was injured, and how the collision began.

More details will be posted as our news team comes to learn more.

August 2, 2023

News: Pregnant woman dies in 2-vehicle crash in Seffner

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SEFFNER, FL – A pregnant woman died and another person was injured in a two-vehicle wreck that occurred around 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The fatal crash happened at the I-4 and U.S. 92 interchange along Mango Road. While we do not know what led up to the collision, aerial footage taken by WTSP showed an SUV overturned on its side and a pickup truck with a destroyed hood.

Medics transported two people to the hospital, where one – a pregnant woman – later died. The other’s injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

August 1, 2023

News: Hit-and-run crash reported in Jasmine Pond area

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TAMPA, FL – Officials confirmed that a hit-and-run occurred in the Jasmine Pond district before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Troopers did not arrive at the scene until after 7 p.m. It is not immediately clear what caused this crash, how many people and vehicles there were, or if anyone was hurt.

Officials have also not released information on the suspect’s vehicle or provided a description of the person responsible for the collision.

August 1, 2023

News: Crash in Sweetwater Creek injures at least one person

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TAMPA, FL – At least one person sustained unspecified injuries following a collision at the Ambassador Drive and West Hillsborough Avenue junction Tuesday.

Hillsborough County deputies are on the scene of this crash and have not specified the exact cause of this collision nor said how many people and occupants there were.

Additional information will be posted to this news blog as it becomes available.