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.

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DOVER, FL – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was summoned to a hit-and-run collision reported at the Bogaert Road and East Wheeler Road junction Monday. 

Deputies arrived at the scene before 6:30 p.m. They launched an investigation and have not released a description of the suspect or their vehicle nor commented on the events leading up to this crash. 

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GIBSONTON, FL – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a crash in the U.S. Highway 41 and Palm Avenue junction that injured at least one person Friday. 

Deputies arrived at the scene before 7:30 p.m. 

No additional information, including whether anyone was taken to a hospital and the cause of Friday’s crash, has been provided. 

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BRANDON, FL – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a collision at East Robertson Street and Margaret Street that injured at least one person Thursday.

Deputies arrived at the scene before 6:30 p.m. Officials have not commented on the exact cause of this crash or specified the number and kind of vehicles involved. 

Updates will be provided should they become available. 

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One of the main complaints from drivers in Tampa Bay this time of year is that traffic is getting worse as the weather gets warmer and more people appear to be out and about.

It is especially brutal around spring break, and some days in Tampa Bay feel like rush hour never ends.

Officials from the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) report that in comparison to the same period last year, there were 300,000 more toll transactions on the Selmon Expressway in January and February.

These numbers do not even reflect the busier months of March and April.

THEA officials claim that the volume of traffic has not only changed, but the times of traffic have changed, too.

Events in downtown Tampa are bringing higher volumes of traffic later in the evenings. Seasonal residents are also back in town as well as tourists, which also add more drivers to the roads.

Officials say traffic patterns on the Selmon Expressway can be similarly seen throughout the Bay Area, from U.S. 19 in Pinellas County to Interstate 4 in east Polk County.

THEA does have projects underway to help alleviate some of this congestion. The goal is to get to the point where traffic does not fall below 40-50 mph even with more drivers on the road.

With the weather heating up and vacations in full swing, Tampa is a hot spot for fun events and tourists alike. People are out and about more than usual, which means more cars on the roads (more traffic). Do not let your good times be ruined by a car accident. Here are some tips for navigating heavy traffic:

  • Give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Try and plan to avoid busy times, if possible. Make sure you allot for extra time in case you do encounter traffic – many people get frustrated and rush when they do not have enough time, which can lead to reckless driving. If you can relax and take your time, then you will be less likely to make risky driving maneuvers that could land you in an accident.
  • Pay close attention to your surroundings. Make sure you have enough distance in front of you to avoid needing to apply the brakes quickly when you encounter traffic. If traffic suddenly stops, you run a lower risk of getting into a fender-bender if you maintain enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
    Steer clear of distractions when driving. Set your station or playlist before you go, or have your passenger operate the radio on your behalf. Avoid using a hands-free headset when you know you will be in traffic, and never text while driving (it is against the law).
  • Keep your cool. Understand that everyone gets caught in traffic and that you have no influence over the situation. Try not to rush things or lose your cool; doing so will probably lead to careless driving. Always remember that reaching your destination safely is more essential than getting there on time.
  • Exit the highway if your anxiety is high. Stressed-out, nervous, or aggressive drivers can become distracted and pose a danger to themselves and other drivers. You can take the next exit, travel backroads, or just pullover to a safe and secure location until you can regain your composure.

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TAMPA, FL – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office revealed at least one person suffered wounds in a collision in the East Lake-Orient Park district Wednesday.

Deputies arrived at the scene — the Highland Manor Drive and North Falkenburg Road junction — before 6 p.m. They started an investigation and have not provided additional commentary with regard to the events that led to this crash or indicated if anyone needed to be taken to a hospital. 

Our team of new bloggers will post more details when they come to learn more. 

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SEFFNER, FL – A pedestrian succumbed to fatal wounds after they were hit by a train on the railroad tracks along Parsons Avenue Monday night. 

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told ABC Action News they were summoned to the scene around 11:30 p.m. and declared the victim dead at the scene. 

Deputies started an investigation and have not provided additional details at this time. 

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LARGO, FL –  Largo Police said they suspected a driver of a black 1991 Nissan 300ZX traveling at a high rate when they crashed into a pole Sunday, resulting in their death. 

This single-vehicle collision took place at the Walsingham Road and Shipwatch Drive junction, which is along George C. McGough Nature Park, according to WFLA

Police said they shut down this intersection for approximately three hours before reopening it. At this time, they have not released other details, including the driver’s name. 

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BRADENTON, FL – A 2-year-old toddler was killed after unintentionally getting out of a moving vehicle driven by his mother and getting hit when she put the car in reverse. 

This collision happened around 8 a.m. Wednesday on Anchor Bay Trail at their home, according to MySunCoast

No other details are available at this time. 

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Hillsborough County drivers may have noticed some new green pavement markers recently installed on the roads.
These are a part of the county’s new bike boxes, which improve cyclists’ visibility to motorists and allow them to cross busy intersections safely.

Bicycle boxes differ from ordinary bike lanes in that they allow cyclists to pass in front of stopped automobiles at intersections. This increases their visibility to cars.
The county installed bike boxes at two Citrus Park Drive intersections: Sheldon Road and Countryway Boulevard.

Research from the county suggests that bike boxes can reduce crashes between bicyclists and automobiles by about 50%. The boxes are also approved by the Federal Highway Administration.

Bike by Peeyoosh Bajracharya from Getty Images Drivers should look out for green markings when stopped at an intersection. If you see green, you should look for cyclists and pedestrians.

The county plans to install more of these bike boxes at intersections.

What Is a Bike Box?

The Bike Box is a green, rectangular zone that is located between the crosswalk and stopped traffic at an intersection with signals. To increase their visibility before the light turns green, bikers are supposed to line up ahead of car traffic.
The intersection’s width, or “Bike Box,” is painted in the same shade of green as the bike lanes. Multiple bicycles can fit in each traffic lane, and the box is stenciled with a white bicycle emblem.

When the red light behind the bike box turns green, drivers are encouraged to stop, wait, and proceed safely behind the bikers.

What Are Some Benefits of Bike Boxes?

  • Enhanced awareness of cyclists
  • Decreased the number of accidents involving cars making right turns at intersections
  • Increases the safety of cyclists making a left turn at intersections
  • Group riding allows cyclists to get through intersections faster and cause less wait times for other vehicles
  • Having fewer cars in the crossing is advantageous for pedestrians

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TAMPA, FL – A driver of a Dodge pickup truck tried to make a U-turn and then started driving the wrong way, leading him to collide with the wall and sustaining critical, life-threatening injuries. 

This crash happened before 9 a.m. Thursday at the northbound lanes of the I-4 and Selmon Expressway interchange, according to WFLA. The impact led the truck to spit in half and then catch on fire. Part of a beam was scorched, and the truck was heavily damaged. 

Officials did not reveal the motorist’s name, only identifying him as a 41-year-old man from St. Petersburg. 

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