Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyer

April 3, 2017

St. Petersburg Uber Crash Leaves Driver and Passenger with Serious Injuries

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Uber and Lyft have certainly changed how people get around town, that is for sure. However, some things don’t change, and as this case shows, people get injured in car accidents every day in Tampa and St. Petersburg. When people are injured in an Uber or Lyft car, they need to seek legal help from a Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton right away.

Recently, an Uber driver suffered life-threatening injuries and his passenger serious injuries after he drove his car into another driver’s path.

The 38-year-old Uber driver picked up his 30-year-old passenger in a driveway on Fourth Street North around 1:15 a.m. He sat in the rear passenger’s seat.

The driver tried to make a U-turn on Fourth Street in his 2012 Chevrolet Cruze to head north, but he pulled in the path of a Mustang that was already travelling in the median lane. The Mustang hit the driver’s side of the Chevy.

The driver and passenger in the Mustang had minor injuries. The Uber driver and passenger were taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

If you were injured in a car accident or on any form of transportation including Uber, Lyft, taxis, etc. let our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton help. We can make sure you understand the legal processes of investigating and presenting your Uber or Lyft accident personal injury claim. We will also work with your doctors so that you can focus on what you need to, which is recovering.

February 15, 2017

Millennial Drivers Riskiest Drivers on Roadways, According To Study

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Millennial drivers are behaving badly on U.S. roads, a trend that could be contributing to a spike in highway deaths, according to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

In 2015, U.S. traffic deaths rose 7 percent to 35,092, the largest single-year increase in five decades. They’re expected to rise again in 2016 when that data is finalized.

The study found that more than three-quarters of drivers said it was unacceptable to text or email while driving, but 31 percent had done so in the last month and 8 percent do so often. Ninety-six percent of drivers said drowsy driving is a serious safety threat, but 29 percent had recently driven when they were so tired they had trouble keeping their eyes open.

The study questioned 2,511 licensed drivers aged 16 and over. Here are the findings:

The youngest drivers — those ages 16 to 18 — were less likely to engage in speeding, running red lights or texting while driving than drivers in their 20s through 50s.
Eighty-three percent of drivers — and 86.5 percent of drivers 75 or older — said they were more careful than other drivers on the road.
Just over half of drivers feel seriously threatened by drivers talking on cell phones, but 68 percent made a call while driving in the last 30 days.
Drivers ages 40-59 were the most likely to use a hands-free phone in the car. Drivers ages 16-18 and 75 or older were the most likely to hold their phones and talk while driving.
Twenty-three percent of drivers — and 36 percent of those ages 19 to 24 — think it’s acceptable to drive 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway. Forty-six percent of drivers say they have driven that fast on a freeway in the last 30 days.
Sixty percent of drivers say people who drive after using illegal drugs are a serious threat, but just 34 percent say the same about people who drive after using prescription drugs.

Distracted driving is dangerous. All of us drivers should remember this every time we get behind the wheel of a car. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, nine people are killed in the United States everyday in accidents connected to distracted driving and an additional 1,153 are injured.

Texting, tweeting, eating, drinking, and all other distracted driving behaviors should be avoided while driving. Focusing on the road should be your number one priority. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident because of a distracted driver, our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you recover financial compensation to help cover the costs associated with the crash.

December 23, 2016

Motorcyclist Killed in Pinellas County Collision

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Deputies are currently investigating a fatal crash that involved a motorcyclist.

The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday on 150th Avenue in Seminole.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office believes the 40-year-old man was traveling eastbound in the median lane of Bay Pines Boulevard when he lost control of his motorcycle.

The man hit a guardrail, was ejected from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

Motorcycle accidents can occur because of many different factors and can be caused by numerous different parties. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Drunk Driving
Motorcycle Defects
Road Defects
Reckless Driving

When a motorcycle accident occurs, the responsible party could be liable for damages related to injuries, wrongful death and pain and suffering.

The holidays are a time of increased travel and because of Florida’s pretty much year round temperate climate, there are still many motorcycles traversing the Tampa Bay roadways. Keep in mind that any time there are more drivers on the roads, there is an increased risk in becoming involved in a serious crash. Our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton urge you to exercise caution during the holidays and every other day of the year.

December 8, 2016

FDOT Fixing Deadly Lakeland Road

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Officials are working to make a Lakeland road safer after three people died along the roadway in the past three years, most recently in May of this year.

The details of a Florida Department of Transportation study will be released later and suggest that improvements on Clubhouse Road should be made.

A high school student was struck and killed by a school crossing guard supervisor as he tried to cross the road in the dark in May. The teen was trying to get to his school bus stop.

In August 2014, the body of a woman was found next to Clubhouse Road, the apparent victim of a hit-and-run. In November 2014, a man was hit by a Ford F-250 as he rode a skateboard on Clubhouse Road.

The problems on the roadway, which also has a development entrance, include a lack of sidewalks, crosswalks and lights.

The fatal crashes date back to 2014 with three cases of people being struck by cars as they tried to cross Clubhouse Road. All of the accidents happened in the dark.

In addition to lighting, FDOT will suggest connecting sidewalks that aren’t continuous, adding signs to address speeding and installing left-hand turn lanes at three of the busiest intersections along the roadway that don’t have traffic control signals.

Dangerous road conditions are the cause of many fatal traffic accidents in Florida. Auto accidents involving deadly roadways can occur because of the poor surface condition of a road, improper design, lack of adequate marking or signage, inadequate guardrails, poor traffic control in work zones, and many more as this article highlights.

A driver that has suffered an injury in an auto accident may not even realize that poor road conditions played a part in their collision. Sometimes these accidents require an independent investigation by a skilled lawyer. Our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have experience with complex traffic accidents, which is why we work with traffic accident reconstruction experts to identify the exact cause of auto collisions. We can analyze your accident and determine if dangerous road conditions contributed to the crash.

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.

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 29, 2016

Spilled Gravel Causes Cars To Crash On I4, 1 Man In Serious Condition

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 24-year-old man is in serious condition after a multi-vehicle crash on I-4 in Hillsborough County Tuesday morning.

The Florida Highway Patrol believes a truck traveling northbound on the crosstown connector entered the ramp to travel eastbound on I-4 and spilled a large amount of gravel onto the roadway, causing two vehicles to lose control and collide with the barrier wall.

According to the FHP report, the 24-year-old man got out of his vehicle to inspect the damage and was hit by a third vehicle. The impact caused the man to fall over the wall 33 feet to the ground below. He is in serious condition at Tampa General Hospital.

The other two drivers did not suffer any injuries.

Due to the accidents and spilled gravel, the ramp was closed for several hours.

FHP is asking anyone with information on the truck that spilled the gravel to call 813-631-4020.

An auto accident involving a dump truck can be quite serious, as this case shows. Dump trucks are primarily used for transporting materials like gravel, sand, or dirt for construction purposes. A car accident can easily occur when dump trucks spill materials on the roadway. Gravel can break windshields, blow out tires and cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and crash.

Auto accidents involving trucks can end in serious and sometime fatal injuries. If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck accident in Hillsborough County, our Tampa Bay Truck Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help with your personal injury or wrongful death claim. We firmly believe the at-fault driver should be held responsible for their actions.

November 10, 2016

New Bike Lanes Coming For Downtown Tampa

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to new reports, the Florida Department of Transportation is holding a public workshop to discuss a new bikeway through downtown Tampa.

The proposed bike lanes would be on the north side of Jackson Street, running from Ashley Drive to Nebraska Avenue.

The addition would look a lot like the new lanes already on Cass Street.

These bike lanes are considered a win win for the area due to the tremendous growth the area has seen.

In the early phases, locals will see protected bike lanes on Cass Street, or ‘the green spine,’ complete with bike signals.

While the addition will give cyclists a safe place to ride, cyclists can still face many dangers riding on the new lanes, and some of these risks include:

New drivers unfamiliar with traffic laws
Drivers unfamiliar of the new lanes
Intoxicated and negligent drivers
Need for bicycle maintenance
Failure to wear a helmet
Open door accidents

Bikers should always perform proper maintenance checks before they head out onto the roadways to make sure there brakes are in working order. In addition, they should wear protective gear.

Every cyclist should be aware of his or her surroundings at all times. If a cyclist is involved in an accident, our Tampa Bay Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. We can identify all negligent parties responsible for the accident.

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 26, 2016

Rotary Club Of The Gulf Beaches Kicks Off Pedestrian Safety Campaign

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

If you are out strolling along Gulf Boulevard along the beaches anytime soon, you will see some new signs touting pedestrian safety.

There’s more walking along the main beach thoroughfare than anywhere else in Pinellas County, so local agencies want to make sure both drivers and pedestrians remain aware of each other.

As part of the plan to keep safety a priority for walkers and bikers, the local rotary club has produced signs and fliers saying: “SAFETY, a shared responsibility.”

According to the Rotary Club of Gulf Beaches, there are two pedestrian related deaths each year and at least a dozen injuries. That’s in addition to the numerous pedestrian-related car crashes.

Fall is officially upon us, and while Florida temperatures may only drop slightly, the days are getting shorter, so it is important to take a few extra precautions.

Here are a few pedestrian safety tips to keep in mind:

Stay Visible: It is getting darker earlier, so make sure drivers can see you walking – especially at night. Try to only walk in well-lit areas.
Stay Alert: Stay on high alert when walking. Put your phone away and make sure that you are keeping your eye on your surroundings. You should always make sure that you can hear what is going on around you. Avoid wearing headphones when you’re walking so that you can hear cars around you.
Walk In Designated, Safe Locations: Always use crosswalks when they are available and make sure that you cross at a safe time. Stay away from busy roads that put you at a higher risk of suffering an injury.
Avoid Drunk Walking: We all know to avoid drinking and driving, but drinking and walking can be dangerous, too. Alcohol reduces your inhibitions, reflexes and awareness of your surroundings. You want to be fully alert when walking to prevent any unnecessary accidents and/or injuries.