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.

November 22, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer :: Florida Lawmakers Want Tampa Teen Drivers to Put Their Cellphones Away

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Florida lawmakers have recently proposed a new bill that would ban anyone under the age of 18 from using electronic devices while driving in Florida.

This means teens would not be allowed to make calls, use Facebook or any other website while driving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. In fact, on average, seven teens between the ages of 16 and 19 die every day from car crashes, and drivers in that same age group are three times more likely to get into a deadly crash.

Despite these statistics, many drivers oppose the proposed law claiming it is unfair to single out a particular age group.

Florida lawmakers are currently talking about proposed changes to current laws.

If the proposed law is passed, it would take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

According to the CDC, in 2010, nearly 2,700 teens across the nation between the ages of 16 and 19 were killed and another 282,000 were treated and released from emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents. While young people ages 15-24 account for only 14 percent of the U.S. population, this age group represents 30 percent, or $19 billion, of the total costs of auto accident injuries among males and 28 percent, or $7 billion, of the total costs of car accident injuries among females.

November 12, 2013

St. Petersburg Auto Accident Lawyer :: Woman Killed in Broadside Collision in St. Petersburg

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 42-year-old St. Petersburg woman was killed Monday after the vehicle she was riding in was broadsided on Fourth Street N. in St. Petersburg.

According to police, the woman was a passenger in a 1992 Buick driven by her 53-year-old roommate. The crash occurred around 7 p.m.

Police claim the woman’s roommate was heading north on Fourth Street when he turned into the path of a 2003 Toyota at 54th Avenue N.

The driver of the Toyota, a 42-year-old St. Petersburg woman, struck the Buick between the wheels on the passenger side, critically injuring the woman. She was rescued from the vehicle and taken to Bayfront Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead just a short time later, according to police.

The woman’s roommate was taken to Bayfront with minor injuries. The driver of the
Toyota was treated for minor injuries at the scene of the collision.

Police are currently still investigating the accident.

Some of the most serious and deadly motor vehicle accidents in St. Petersburg and the surrounding area involve broadside crashes. A broadside car accident, also referred to as a side impact or T-bone crash, usually occurs at an intersection. These collisions can happen at a busy St. Pete intersection, in a residential neighborhood or on any of St. Petersburg’s heavily travelled roads.

Next to head-on collisions, broadside collisions are the second most deadly kind of auto accident. Broadside impacts usually lead to severe injuries to the drivers and passengers involved in a crash. Drivers and passengers often suffer from brain injuries, spinal fractures, broken bones and head and neck injuries. These accidents have a high percentage of injuries and fatalities due to the fact that the sides of most vehicles do not offer the same protection as the front and rear do, even though most newer cars are equipped with side impact airbags. T-bone collisions also typically occur at high speeds, usually when someone runs a stop light or a red light at an intersection.

November 11, 2013

Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer :: Clearwater Man Killed in Oldsmar Collision

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A three-vehicle collision in Oldsmar Wednesday afternoon took the life of an 81-year-old man.

The accident occurred around 2:47 p.m. at the intersection of Tampa Road and St. Petersburg Drive.

According to Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies, the Clearwater man’s wife, 65, was driving a 2005 Cadillac DeVille west on Tampa Road and went to make a left turn onto St. Petersburg Drive when her car was struck on the passenger side by two vehicles — a Jeep Liberty driven by a 32-year-old woman and a Ford Fusion driven by a 31-year-old man.

The deceased was trapped in the debris for about a half-hour before firefighters from Oldsmar Fire Rescue extracted him from the wreckage, according to reports. He was flown by helicopter to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:17 p.m.

The man’s wife was taken to St. Joseph’s with injuries that were not considered life threatening.

The other drivers involved in the pileup were not harmed.

The crash remains under investigation.

Any type of motor vehicle accident can lead to serious injuries to all parties involved. However, when multiple vehicles are involved in a crash, injuries are often compounded. Multi-vehicle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries including head, brain, neck and spinal cord trauma. Sadly, these types of collisions often end in fatality.

November 4, 2013

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney :: 3-Year-Old Critically Injured in Sarasota Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A three-year-old boy was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition Saturday night after being struck by a car in Sarasota.

The crash took place on Bee Ridge Road and Briggs Avenue around 7 p.m., according to reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol believes the child ran into the road from the shoulder and in front of a car. The 70-year-old man who was behind the wheel apparently tried to swerve out of the way to avoid making contact with the child, but could not.

The driver and his passenger did not suffer any injuries.

Child pedestrian accidents can happen at any time of day for many different reasons. Usually children wind up the victims of pedestrian accidents for two reasons – not following pedestrian safety rules or because of a distracted or reckless driver. Sadly, 630 children, on average, are killed every year in child pedestrian accidents. Another 39,000 suffer serious injuries in pedestrian accidents caused by negligent motorists.

When a negligent driver hits a pedestrian the aftermath can be tragic. The parents or guardians of a child who has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident caused by a careless driver can usually seek some type of financial compensation from the at-fault driver. While no amount of money can change your child’s physical condition, it can help pay for growing hospital bills, long-term care and other bills that rack up as a result of the accident. Money is the last thing you want weighing on your mind during this difficult time. A Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton can get to work on your case right away so that you can focus on your child’s recovery.

October 28, 2013

St. Petersburg Motor Vehicle Auto Accident Injury Lawyer :: Scooter Rider Suffers Serious Injuries in St. Pete Collision

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A St. Petersburg scooter rider suffered a life-threatening head injury in a crash early Sunday morning that also involved two pedestrians, according to police.

The 32-year-old man was apparently riding east on Central Avenue around 3 a.m. when two pedestrians started to cross in the 600 block. One stopped halfway, however the other, a 22-year-old woman, continued walking.

This ultimately caused the scooter to swerve, and it struck the woman as it went down.

The scooter rider was not wearing a helmet and was ejected from the vehicle and hit his head on the pavement, police said.

The man was taken to Bayfront Medical Center. The female pedestrian suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene of the crash.

If you were hurt in a scooter or moped accident in St. Petersburg, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other damages you have suffered. A St. Petersburg Motor Vehicle Auto Accident Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can meet with you right away and discuss your potential claim. If your accident was caused by another person’s negligence, we can make sure you receive the full and fair compensation that you deserve.

Other than following Florida scooter laws whenever you operate a scooter or moped, it is very important to focus on other safety practices that can prevent you from being involved in a St. Petersburg scooter accident that results in serious injuries.

The following common scooter safety tips can keep you free from harm:

• Always wear a Department Of Transportation-approved helmet that fits your head correctly
• Purchase a pair of riding goggles if your helmet does not have a face shield
• Keep your headlights on at all times, this even includes when you are riding during the day
• Steer clear of roads with uneven pavement, gravel and potholes
• Do not try to ride over a pothole, as this can lead to tire deflation
• If you are newer to riding a scooter, or just need to brush up on your skills, attend a scooter safety course

October 11, 2013

Tampa Bay Slip, Trip & Fall Lawyer :: More Slip & Fall Lawsuits Arising Over Everyday Substances – Know Your Rights and How to Protect Yourself

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Everyday items, such as hand sanitizer, urine, champagne, fried potatoes, napkins and a slew of other substances have become hazards that are being blamed for numerous slip and fall accident injuries and the basis for various lawsuits being filed in Hillsborough and Pinellas County courts.

This recent string of lawsuits claims owner negligence in places ranging from an Outback Steakhouse restaurant and Target store to a museum and skateboard park.
Some of the recent cases include:

• A woman who says she slipped on hand sanitizer and fell while visiting the Glazer Children’s Museum. Her claim states that she “neither saw the hand sanitizer nor any cautionary signs before she fell.”
• A Tampa Walmart shopper claims she slipped and fell on a “fried potato” near the cash register. Her lawsuit alleges she sustained permanent injuries and a reduced ability to lead a normal life or earn money.
• A man celebrating his 76th birthday with his family at an Outback Steakhouse in Plant City says he was sitting at the bar when he reached for his drink and his bar stool slipped on a floor allegedly covered with grease. He ended up falling backward, breaking his neck. He died just two weeks later.
• A woman shopping at a Target in Brandon claims she slipped on what she thought was urine and fell. She claims she suffered hospitalization, medical expenses and a loss of earnings.
• A man skateboarding at SkatePark of Tampa says an employee at the facility began spraying champagne causing him to slip and fall and suffer serious injuries.
• A man dining at Acropolis in Riverview says the staff at the restaurant began dancing and “negligently and dangerously” tossing napkins into the air, as is customary at all of the Greek restaurant chain’s locations. The man claims he slipped on a stray napkin and suffered “severe” injuries, including a fractured kneecap that required two surgeries.

Injuries resulting from a slip and fall or trip and fall accident are common occurrences that result in thousands of claims being made every year. Many victims of these accidents suffer severe, life-changing injuries that can even lead to wrongful death. Wet floors, misplaced objects and food items as well as obstructed walkways can have catastrophic results. It is important to understand your rights and know what to do if you are involved in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident. Immediately following an accident, it is best to consult a Tampa Bay Slip, Trip & Fall Lawyer at Whittel & Melton to determine whether you are entitled to recover damages for the negligence of a property or business owner.

October 7, 2013

St. Petersburg Auto Accident Attorney :: Children Rescued from St. Petersburg Canal Following Multi-Car Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Last month, two children were rescued from inside a car that had flipped over in a St. Petersburg canal.

St. Petersburg police said a chain reaction collision caused the children to be knocked into the canal and trapped them inside the vehicle.

The accident occurred around 2 p.m. just after the children had been picked up by their father from their elementary school.

Police claim a female driver of a gold Chevy Tahoe was heading eastbound on 77th Avenue North when she accelerated and smashed into the cars in front of her, ultimately sending a silver sedan carrying the two children, ages 8 and 9, and their father into the water.

The car hit a pickup, which then hit a bus carrying children to an after-school karate class. No one was harmed from these vehicles.

The father and the 9-year-old boy made it out of the water first. The 8-year-old boy’s seatbelt was stuck inside the vehicle, but with the help of some good Samaritans who heard and saw the crash, he was cut out of the seatbelt and pulled out of the water where he was rushed to the hospital as trauma alert.

The woman, who apparently had four children in her car, also crashed into the canal. Her and her kids made it out safely.

Police said that the woman driving the Tahoe was at fault and that charges are pending.

Determining who is at fault in a multi-vehicle collision can be difficult. If multiple drivers are found to be responsible for the accident, then comparative negligence may apply.
The state of Florida does follow a comparative negligence system, which holds each responsible party liable for his or her percentage of damages. However, based on the facts reported from this accident, it seems that comparative negligence may not apply since the driver of the SUV was found to be solely responsible for the multi-car crash.

September 30, 2013

St. Petersburg DUI Accident Attorney :: St. Pete Teen Charged with DWI Manslaughter in Double-Fatal Parrish Collision

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A St. Petersburg teen was recently arrested on charges of DWI manslaughter in connection to a crash that killed a Winter Haven couple in Parrish last year.

The 18-year-old was arrested in early September after the State Attorney’s Office filed charges against her, according to the arrest report.

She has been charged with two counts of DWI manslaughter and two counts of DWI causing personal injury to passengers in her vehicle.

She was being held at the Manatee County jail with bail set at $16,000.

On Jan. 8, 2012 at 8:25 p.m. the then 17-year-old teen was driving her 2005 Toyota Prius westbound on State Road 62 when she reportedly ran off the road, over-corrected and re-entered the roadway, hitting a motorcycle carrying the Winter Haven couple.

The couple was ejected from the motorcycle onto the shoulder of the road.

The 61-year-old man and 55-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

The teen suffered serious injuries in the collision. When her Prius came to a stop, the car’s front end caught fire.

She was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital following the crash. Her blood alcohol level was determined to be .146, according to police.

The Florida Highway Patrol performed a homicide traffic investigation and recommended charges to the State Attorney’s Office. Charges were filed against the teen on Aug. 21 and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

More than 43,000 people are killed annually in car accidents across the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nearly 40 percent of these fatal crashes are alcohol-related. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 32 people are killed every day in the U.S. in automobile accidents involving a drunk driver. This translates to one death every 45 minutes.

September 30, 2013

Tampa Bay Trucking Accident Attorney :: Deaf Cyclist on Charity Ride Struck by Semi-Trailer

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 24-year-old Maryland man on a cross-country bike trip to raise money for hearing loss was forced to put the last leg of his more than 10,000-mile trek on hold after he was struck by a semi-trailer truck earlier this month.

The man was biking with his cousin on a highway from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg en route to Miami, the final stop on the almost six-month-long journey, when he was clipped by the mirror of a blue freight truck at around 9:40 p.m., according to a Polk County Sheriff spokeswoman.

He fell off his bike and landed on the shoulder of the roadway.

Emergency responders arrived at the accident site, but the man, who is deaf, was unable
to communicate since his hearing apparatus was knocked off.

He was taken to Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center in Sebring. He suffered a concussion, a broken nose, a fractured left cheek bone, road rash and bruising from his fall.

The man has since been released. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.

The man was born with normal hearing, but went deaf between the ages of two and 10. He endured cochlear implant surgery and was able to join the hearing world.

Last fall, he decided to combine his love for baseball, bike riding and helping others in hopes of raising money and awareness for cochlear implants.

The baseball fan set out on a bike trip to Major League Baseball stadiums across the country in April.

While the accident set him back a few weeks, he did make it to 30th and final stop on his charity ride Tuesday night to see the Miami Marlins game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park.

Before the accident, the man raised more than $140,000.

While the details regarding this accident are sparse, if the truck driver was aware that he hit the bicyclist, he could face criminal charges for failing to stop and wait for authorities. Additionally, the cyclist could seek financial compensation for the damages he suffered.

September 25, 2013

Tampa Bay Auto Accident Injury Lawyer :: Sarasota Bicyclist Killed in Bee Ridge Collision

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 44-year-old Sarasota bicyclist was killed Monday after he was struck by a vehicle on Bee Ridge, authorities said.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, the man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred near the intersection of Hidden Glen Drive east of Interstate 75.

Based on evidence picked up at the scene of the accident and witness statements, troopers have pieced together that the man was lying in the eastbound lane of Bee Ridge with his bicycle nearby when he was run over by the automobile around 9:30 p.m.

The driver of the vehicle that hit the man apparently told troopers he did not notice the man before the collision.

It is unknown at this time why the man was lying in the roadway.

Biking is a common mode of transportation in the Tampa Bay area, especially with Florida’s year-round warm temperatures. Bicyclists can be found on the roads commuting to and from work, exercising or just partaking in a fun recreational activity. Sadly, many bicyclists find themselves the victims of auto accidents on the busy streets of Tampa, Brandon, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton and Sarasota.

Bike riders are particularly susceptible to severe injuries when involved in a collision with an automobile. Aside from a helmet, bicyclists lack further protection to withstand the impact of a motor vehicle. Even if a cyclist is wearing a helmet, this may not be able to protect a biker from suffering a serious injury or death.