Pedestrian Accidents

April 10, 2024

News: Woman, 75, in critical condition after Clearwater hit-and-run

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CLEARWATER, FL – A 75-year-old woman was left with critical, life-threatening injuries after she was struck by a driver of a dark-colored SUV who fled the scene Tuesday.

WFLA said this collision happened before 8:45 p.m. in the 1800 block of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard along Rumba Island Bar & Grill. Upon arrival, an ambulance took the woman to a local hospital, where she is recovering.

Clearwater Police started an investigation but do not have additional details at this time. They advise who has any information on this collision, or the suspect is urged to contact the department at the phone number listed in the initial source.

April 8, 2024

Largo PD Campaigning in the Community to Keep Pedestrians and Bikers Safe | Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

To keep pedestrians safe, the Largo Police Department is increasing its patrols to reduce collisions with bicyclists and pedestrians.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Largo Police Department are collaborating on a high-visibility initiative aimed at enhancing pedestrian and bike safety within the city. The campaign runs through May.

With that said, Largo PD will be stopping those who are not following laws, like crosswalk violations, jaywalking, failure to yield, and bike light infractions.

Officers typically use these stops as teaching opportunities, passing out safety supplies like bike lights or pamphlets with information for pedestrians. Repeat violators can receive a ticket.

The goal of this initiative is pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

So far in 2024, preliminary data from FLHSMV has shown that Pinellas County saw 174 total bicycle crashes, resulting in 1 fatality and 105 pedestrian accidents, resulting in five deaths. Data from 2023 shows 8,394 bicycle accidents, resulting in 224 fatalities. Pedestrian crashes in Pinellas County for 2023 reached 10,278, resulting in 779 fatalities.

How Can I Steer Clear of a Pedestrian Accident in Pinellas County?

Even though you cannot control what other people do, there are a few things you can do to lessen the likelihood that you will be involved in a pedestrian collision.
As a pedestrian, you can prevent being struck by a car by taking the following precautions:

Use the crosswalks that are designed for that purpose.
Keep an eye out for moving vehicles, including ones that are turning left or right.
Only cross at stoplight intersections when a walk signal is shown.
When crossing the street, be defensive and assume that the motorist does not see you.
Try to make eye contact with the driver so you can be sure they see you.
Never cross midblock, especially on busy city streets or roadways with many lanes
When sidewalks are available, use them.
Remain alert – keep your eyes on what is happening in front of you, and not on your phone.
Use only one earbud at a time so that you can still hear what is going on around you.
Do not try to beat traffic. You are cutting it too close if you feel like you must jog to get yourself to safety.
At night, wear bright, fluorescent apparel.
Keep an eye out for vehicles backing up in parking lots or entering or exiting parking garages or driveways.

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What Are the Next Steps After a Pedestrian Accident in Pinellas County?

Knowing what to do after being hit by a car while on foot is critical for protecting your rights and legal options if you are seriously hurt.

Get police to the scene so that they can document everything and file a report.
Gather witness information on the spot.
Record and capture images of the accident scene.
Gather as much of your own information as you can, such as names, police records, and other documents.
Get medical help right away. Even if you think you are fine, have a doctor check out your injuries.
Speak with our Pinellas County Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton. It is best to consult with us first before you speak with an insurance provider.

For clients and families dealing with the tragedy of a major or deadly accident, our Pinellas County pedestrian accident lawyers have a demonstrated history of success in pursuing personal injury and wrongful death cases. Continue reading

April 1, 2024

Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridges Coming to Pinellas County | Pinellas County Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

In Pinellas County, more choices for bikers and pedestrians are in the works.
Several initiatives are being worked on by Forward Pinellas and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to improve safety and bicycle recreation.

Several recently constructed pedestrian bridges on US 19 are part of these changes.

One was just opened by FDOT in Clearwater on Harn Boulevard. In Palm Harbor, another one is being constructed close to Curlew Road.

Work on a new crossing across the Pinellas County side of the Courtney Campbell Causeway is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2024. According to Forward Pinellas officials, this bridge will have bigger ramps than the previous one at Harn, making it easier for bicycles to access the neighboring trails.

In addition, a multi-use trail that allows bikers to cross the bay is part of the plans for the new Howard Frankland Bridge.

These bridges are being built by FDOT to increase safety for Pinellas County cyclists and pedestrians, who are nonetheless frequently in danger when riding on busy roadways.

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How Common Are Bicycle & Pedestrian Accidents in Pinellas County?

According to the FLHSMV, so far into 2024, Pinellas County has had 93 pedestrian accidents resulting in 4 deaths, and 157 bicycle crashes resulting in 1 fatality. Pinellas County had a reported 487 pedestrian crashes in 2023, resulting in 42 pedestrian deaths. The county also saw 652 bicycle crashes in 2023, resulting in 12 bicycle fatalities.

What Are The Most Common Bike Accident Injuries?

Broken arms and legs are the most common injuries sustained in bicycle accidents. If the rider is not wearing a helmet, head injuries are also prevalent and can range from minor concussions to serious trauma. Friction from the road surface often results in road rash, which is another common consequence. More serious injuries, such as internal bleeding, and spinal injuries, are frequently suffered in crashes involving cars.

After a Bicycle Accident, Should I See a Doctor Even if I Feel OK?
Yes. Bike accident victims should contact a doctor as soon as possible after a crash because some injuries may not exhibit symptoms right away and waiting too long to get treatment could be fatal.

What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?

Call 911 for immediate medical assistance. Make sure you get examined by a qualified medical practitioner even if you do not feel hurt. Never jeopardize your health. Get checked out right away by a physician, EMT, or another medical specialist.

Do I Need to Notify Police?
Yes. If you have been hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident in Pinellas County, call the police immediately, regardless of whether you think it was a minor collision. The police will investigate the collision and write a report that could be useful to you in the future when filing a personal injury lawsuit.

After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident, What Should I Do if the Vehicle Leaves the Scene?
Try to recall as much information as you can about the driver that caused your pedestrian accident. What color was the vehicle? What model and make is it? What was the number on the license plate? Which gender was the driver? Old or young? Every detail is important! Provide the authorities with as much information as you can regarding the driver and the car. If the driver is found, you may be able to seek compensation from their insurance company. If the driver is not located, you may be able to submit a claim with your own insurance provider.

When Should I Call an Attorney? Continue reading

March 1, 2024

News UPDATE: Police arrest man for fatal St. Pete hit-and-run

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – St. Petersburg Police found and arrested the suspect believed to be responsible for intentionally hitting his brother with a car, which resulted in his death.

According to ABC Action News, the arrest happened in the 1900 block of Third Avenue North on Thursday, Feb. 29. To recap, the actual crash occurred before 3 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the 7th Avenue South and 12th Street South junction, along Campbell Park.

Police said the suspect — 34-year-old Tyree Gland — purposefully struck his brother, 35-year-old Taiwan Gland, two times with his vehicle before driving away.

February 22, 2024

News: Largo man loses life in Pinellas Park auto-pedestrian crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PINELLAS PARK, FL – A 66-year-old man from Largo walked along a marked crosswalk and was hit by a sedan, leading to his death Tuesday.

This crash occurred around 9 p.m. at the Park Boulevard and 76th Street North junction, WTSP reported.

The driver remained at the scene, and officials confirmed they believed the motorist was not impaired or speeding at the time of the collision.

February 22, 2024

News: Pedestrian, 2 occupants hurt in St. Pete multi-vehicle crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A pedestrian and two occupants from vehicles suffered serious wounds in a multi-vehicle crash in the United Central area reported around 10 a.m. Thursday.

This wreck happened at 34th Street North and Central Avenue South, according to WSVN.

St. Petersburg Police shut down the area to start their investigation and for the scene clearance process. Police have not provided additional information at this time, including an official update on what led to this incident.

February 15, 2024

News: Male pedestrian, 81, loses life to Bradenton crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BRADENTON, FL – An 81-year-old man who crossed 8th Avenue West and 13th Street West was struck by a vehicle, leading him to succumb to fatal wounds Monday.

This collision happened around 7:30 a.m. Bradenton Police told FOX13 News that the pedestrian was rushed to Blake Hospital, where he later died.

Bradenton Police launched an investigation. While it’s still under review, they were able to confirm that the pedestrian did not use a crosswalk at the time of the collision, and said the driver stayed at the scene.

February 12, 2024

New Data Shows Pinellas County Most Dangerous Area in Florida for Pedestrians | St. Petersburg Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to recent state traffic accident data, Pinellas County had the highest percentage of pedestrian-involved crashes and fatalities in the state between 2019 and 2021.

A pedestrian was involved in an average of 503 collisions in Pinellas County between 2019 and 2021, the highest number of crashes in the state, according to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Furthermore, throughout the three-year period of 2019–2021, there were, on average, 44 fatalities and 441 injuries.

The data shows that there were 47,855 car crashes in Pinellas County between 2019 and 2021, with 1,509 of those involving pedestrians.

February 9, 2024

News: SUV driver fatally hits Michigan man in Nokomis

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NOKOMIS, FL – A 50-year-old man from Michigan succumbed to fatal wounds on U.S. 41 after he was struck by an SUV trying to cross the road without a crosswalk Friday.

This collision happened before 5 a.m. along Albee Road, north of Palmetto Road, according to FOX 13 News. The male pedestrian was struck by the front bumper. Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the details of this deadly collision and has not provided additional commentary at this time.

January 29, 2024

News: Alleged DUI driver causes Tampa crash that kills male pedestrian

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TAMPA, FL – A 23-year-old man driving a 2015 Chevrolet pickup truck was said to have traveled at a high rate and was impaired when he hit a male pedestrian, leading to his death.

This collision happened before 3 a.m. Monday on East Adamo Drive, according to FOX 13 News. Tampa Police said first responders rushed the pedestrian — 24-year-old Pannel Datilus — to a hospital, where he later died.

Police arrested the driver — Micahl Scott — for DUI.