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.

September 17, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Attorney :: Passenger Shooting the Result of Possible Road Rage

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 45-year-old Brandon man riding shotgun in a pickup truck during Monday evening rush hour was shot and injured in what authorities believe was a possible act of road rage.

A 45-year-old Brandon woman was driving the Ford F150 east on Causeway Boulevard with the man as her passenger.

The woman stopped at a traffic light just after 6 p.m. on U.S. 301 when a man driving a sport utility vehicle got out of his car and came up to the passenger side of the truck.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the man fired a gun twice, hitting the man in the passenger seat of the truck in the leg, arm and chest. The man was taken to Tampa General Hospital with what the Sheriff’s Office said were non-life-threatening injuries.

The shooter then got back into his SUV and drove away heading south on U.S. 301.

The driver of the truck told police she may have cut the driver off.

Deputies are asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to call the Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477).

Aggressive driving is nothing new, but has become an increasingly large problem on roads throughout the United States. Often referred to as road rage, aggressive driving can be blamed on everything from congested roadways to warmer climates and even a simple change of pace in our everyday lives. Whatever the reason, road rage kills or injures thousands of individuals every year. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 1,500 people are injured or killed each year throughout the U.S. due to aggressive drivers.

There are many types of driving behaviors that can signal road rage, including:

• Tailgating, Sudden Acceleration or Sudden Braking
• Excessive Use of Flashing Lights or Horns
• Cutting Others Off
• Shouted Threats and Obscenities
• Vulgar Hand Gestures
• Intentionally Causing a Crash
• Threatening the Use of Weapons

September 9, 2013

Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer :: Two Young Girls Killed in Polk County Collision

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two 10-year-old girls were killed Sept. 1 in Auburndale after deputies believe a driver ran a red light and crashed into the car they were riding in.

The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Havendale Boulevard at the intersection with New Jersey Road.

According to reports, a 2006 Dodge Ram pick-up truck was travelling westbound on Havendale Boulevard when it collided with a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, driven by a 60-year-old woman, heading south on New Jersey Road.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the pick-up truck had a red light but proceeded through the intersection anyway.

The truck rolled over and landed on its right side. The driver was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and suffered minor injuries. He was taken to Winter Haven Hospital.

The Beetle crossed three lanes of traffic and finally stopped on the south shoulder of Havendale Boulevard. The driver of the Beetle was wearing her seatbelt at the time and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with serious injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

A 14-year-old girl riding in the front seat was also wearing a seatbelt and did not suffer any significant injuries.

Sadly, two of the three passengers in the back seat, two 10-year-old girls, both died as a result of the collision. The third back seat passenger, an 8-year-old girl, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.

According to deputies, none of the girls in the back seat were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Deputies are still investigating the crash. Charges against the driver are pending at this time.

When a child is injured or killed in an auto accident, parents and close family members are often left with many unanswered questions. A tragedy of this kind is often overwhelming, but it is important to understand that help from a Tampa Bay Wrongful Death Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you get through this difficult time. If the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, family members of and injured child or the deceased may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to recover just compensation.

September 5, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Attorney :: Driver responsible for Clearwater Hit-and-Run Crash Turns Himself In

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 29-year-old man responsible for a hit-and-run collision in Clearwater that killed a man and severely injured a woman has turned himself in, according to Clearwater Police.

The man apparently told police he blacked out and cannot remember hitting the man and woman on Monday morning on the Memorial Causeway. However, he noticed his car was damaged and saw a news report on the accident, which triggered him to go to police.

Police claim that a camera on Clearwater Beach captured the man’s green Nissan pick-up truck leaving the area Monday morning. Minutes before the camera photographed the man’s truck, the camera picked up the man and woman in the same area on their tandem bike.

The pair on the bike suffered severe injuries. The man eventually died from his injuries and the woman remains in critical condition.

The responsible driver, who works at a Clearwater Beach hotel, told officials that he was at work and then got off and that is all he remembers. He claims he woke up later, took a shower and then saw the incident on the news.

According to police, a tipster called Crime Stoppers with information about the driver. Additionally, an unnamed individual apparently pointed the man out to a police officer at the beach.

Police found the man’s truck behind his mother’s Dunedin mobile home Tuesday afternoon. Police claim there was damage to the truck’s front end and the windshield was missing.

It is not clear at this time whether alcohol played a role in the collision.

The man is now facing one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving severe injury.

Records show that he has previously been arrested for disorderly intoxication and racing on a highway.

In addition to the criminal penalties this man is now facing, the surviving victim and the other victim’s family could potentially seek civil damages against the at-fault driver. Civil penalties can be sought through what is known as a personal injury or wrongful death claim. A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit allows individuals and/or their families to recover financial compensation and an overall sense of closure following an unexpected and traumatic accident.

August 15, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer :: Bicyclist Killed in Collision with Pickup Truck in Plant City

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 22-year-old man was killed Tuesday morning after a pickup truck struck him as he tried to bike across a road, according to authorities.

The Plant City man was apparently improperly crossing the southbound lane of N Park Road around 11:15 a.m. when he was hit by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 67-year-old Lakeland man, according to Plant City police.

The bicyclist died at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck was not harmed.

Police confirmed that no charges would be filed against the driver.

Bicycle riding has become increasing popular over the years, both for transportation and recreation. Due to the fact that biking is much more common nowadays, the number of collisions between cars and bikes has also increased. Unfortunately, anytime there is an accident between a bike and a car, it is often the biker that suffers severe injuries or possibly death. For this reason alone, it is extremely important for all bike riders to follow the traffic laws and always be on the lookout for possible hazards, including inattentive drivers or other obstacles in the roadway. However, even the most vigilant biker is still at risk on the roads of Tampa because drivers do not always pay attention to people on bicycles.

Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as automobile drivers. Bikers are required to ride in the same direction as traffic and stay off of the sidewalk. However, it is not uncommon to see cyclists riding against traffic or on a sidewalk. Cyclists must stop at all traffic signs and signals and observe traffic laws. Additionally, bicyclists must display lights and reflectors while riding at night. When bikers fail to follow the rules of the road, tragic accidents can occur.

August 12, 2013

Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyer :: Street Car Race Leads to Crash with Police Cruiser on Courtney Campbell Causeway

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A street race across the Courtney Campbell Causeway resulted in a smashup with a Tampa police cruiser late Sunday night, ultimately closing the westbound side of the bridge until the early hours of the morning.

According to reports, a black two-door car was travelling west across the Causeway at a high rate of speed just before midnight. As the car rode over the westbound hump, the driver, a 34-year-old man, lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail. The car’s front end then slammed into the left rear side of the police cruiser.

Police said the man refused medical care. He was later arrested on charges of unlawful racing on a highway and reckless driving. As of Monday morning he remained in the Hillsborough County Jail with bail set at $750.

An officer who was in the cruiser during the accident was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure.

The Causeway was reopened around 4:30 a.m.

Unlawful street racing on city streets and highways is a very dangerous activity that can lead to many accidents, injuries and even fatalities on the road. Innocent drivers, passengers and pedestrians are at a heightened risk of being harmed by individuals who participate in illegal racing. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 100 people die every year from street racing incidents in the United States and thousands more are injured.

Some of the many dangers of illegal street racing include:

• Property Damage
• High Speed Collisions
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Paralysis
• Lacerations
• Disfigurement
• Neck and Back Injury
• Wrongful Death
When vehicles travel at high speeds, drivers have limited control of them, which is why it is extremely dangerous to other vehicles or pedestrians that may cross a fast moving car’s path. The racing driver is often not able to turn or avoid a collision should something get close to the racing location.

August 5, 2013

Manatee County Auto Accident Injury Lawyer :: 8-Year-Old Child Killed in Collision on State Road 70

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An 8-year-old Bradenton girl was killed in a gruesome crash in Manatee County on Sunday.

Officials believe the crash occurred east of I-75 on State Road 70, just west of Curtis Road around 4 p.m.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a SUV lost control and drove over a median, striking another car head on.

The 8-year-old Bradenton girl was killed instantly in the accident. Four other adults were flown to Blake Medical Center in serious condition.

Five helicopters were needed to transport all injured parties to the hospital.

The road was temporarily shut down in both directions so rescuers could tend to the injured while aircraft landed and departed.

Troopers are still investigating the cause of the accident, but speed is believed to have been a factor.

Speed limits are enforced to keep traffic moving at a steady enough rate so that motorists and pedestrians alike can avoid any unnecessary dangers. However, when drivers violate these limits by speeding, this recklessness places everyone sharing the roadway at risk for danger. Sadly, when motorists make unsafe driving decisions, the result are often catastrophic. Should a collision occur, the negligent driver should be held responsible for any injuries and deaths their poor judgment caused.

Many people fail to realize just how hazardous speeding is. Driving faster than the law allows poses a risk to other drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Speeding creates reduced reaction times, which can lead to catastrophic car accidents that result in serious injuries or death.

July 29, 2013

Pinellas County Auto Accident Attorney :: Two Seriously Injured in Crash Caused by Wrong-Way Driver on I-275 in Pinellas County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A wrong-way driving accident seriously injured two people and closed the southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge earlier this month.

The crash happened just after 6 a.m. on July 14. According to the Florida Highway patrol, a 21-year-old Plant City woman entered I-275 driving a 2012 Scion north in the southbound inside lane just north of Fourth Street N.

A 29-year-old man from Morton, Ill. was driving south in the same lane in a 2013 Nissan.
Troopers reported that the man saw the woman’s car traveling towards him and steered his car to the right to try and avoid a collision. Despite his efforts, both cars still collided.

Both injured drivers were taken to Bayfront Medical Center.

Troopers have yet to figure out what caused the woman to enter the highway going the wrong way.

Both drivers were wearing a seatbelt. Charges are pending.

There are numerous types of car accidents, but some are more damaging than others. If you are involved in a wrong-way driving accident, your injuries could be far more severe than if you were involved in another type of auto accident. Seeking financial compensation for your injuries after a wrong-way driving collision can be tricky, even if evidence clearly points out who the at-fault driver is. You need the help of a Pinellas County Auto Accident Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton to make sure your rights are protected and that you recover full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Head-on collisions can be some of the most deadly collisions that occur on Tampa Bay roads. A head-on collision happens when two cars travelling in opposite directions crash into each other. Due to the fact that the vehicles are heading in opposite directions, usually at high speeds, the possibility for severe injuries and even death is very high. Most head-on car accidents completely destroy the vehicles involved and can deliver catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord trauma, to the occupants of the cars.

July 8, 2013

Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Attorney :: St. Pete Man Seriously Injured in Motorcycle Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 24-year-old St. Petersburg man was seriously injured Thursday after he lost control of a motorcycle he was driving on 36th Avenue North.

St. Petersburg police said the man was driving a 2003 Honda motorcycle in the 4700 block of 36th Avenue North early Thursday afternoon when he tried to slow down as he approached a bend in the road, but hit the ground and was ejected from the bike.
Officers claim the man was not wearing a helmet when he slid nearly 100 feet before coming to a halt.

He was transported to Bayfront Medical Center where as of Friday, he was in critical condition. No further updates regarding the man’s condition have been released.

In the unfortunate event that a crash occurs, motorcyclists not wearing helmets are actually three times more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury than those protecting themselves with helmets, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In fact, wearing a helmet while riding on a motorcycle reduces the likelihood of being killed in a crash by 37 percent. Further research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that helmet use can reduce the likelihood of a fatality in an accident by as much as 42 percent and lower the risk of suffering a serious head injury by 69 percent.

The state of Florida modified its universal helmet law in 2000, excusing riders over the age of 21 carrying at least $10,000 of medical insurance coverage from having to wear a helmet while riding. However, it is important to point out that in the year following the changes to Florida’s helmet law, the death rate among bikers climbed 25 percent.

July 1, 2013

Tampa Bay Auto Accident Attorney :: Road-Rage Confrontation Leads to Criminal Charges for Tampa Man

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Road rage is a term that is commonly used to describe an aggressive or very angry driver. An excessively aggressive driver is much more likely to be involved in a car accident than a driver that remains calm and collected. Aggressive driving is considered negligent driving because drivers showing signs of road rage are not focusing on driving safely and place themselves and others around them at a serious risk. On Sunday afternoon, a Tampa man was slapped with criminal charges after he allegedly flashed a handgun during a road rage incident. According to Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies, a woman honked her horn at the 34-year-old man which made him so angry he pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at the woman and another driver around 4:30 p.m. at Fletcher and Armenia avenues before driving off. The two drivers and another witness identified the man after seeing a lineup of driver’s license photos, according to authorities. The accused, a self-employed photographer, now faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bail was set at $4,000. The man has since been released from jail. Like most major cities, Tampa has jam-packed traffic during peak hours of the day. When traffic is overcrowded on highways and streets, this can lead to drivers becoming overly aggressive behind the wheel. Sitting in congested traffic can be quite frustrating, and when a driver’s patience wears off, they may exhibit signs of road rage. Signs of road rage can include: • Abrupt unsafe lane changes • Sudden braking or acceleration • Yelling at other drivers • Swearing and other signs of aggressive behavior • Following too closely • Swerving and cutting off other drivers Continue reading

June 25, 2013

Tarpon Springs Wrongful Death Lawyer :: Tampa Bay Area Man Killed in Forklift Accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 25-year-old Tarpon Springs man was killed Tuesday afternoon after a massive roll of steel fell on top of him.

Reports indicate that the man was standing on the tines of a forklift next to a flatbed truck, preparing to unload rolls of steel when the accident occurred.

According to Pinellas Park Police, the man was trying to unload some rolls of steel when he cut a band that was holding the bundle together, causing one of the rolls to fall and crush him against the forklift.

The man was a three-year employee of USP Structural Connectors.

Accidents involving industrial vehicles like forklifts may not be as frequent as car or motorcycle accidents, but they can occur, and when they do they are often fatal or cause serious injuries due to the weight of the machinery involved. In the United States alone, industrial accidents account for more than 1,000 deaths each year. These dangerous accidents usually happen because of the serious safety issues that often surround industrial and construction sites. More than 7 million people across the U.S. work in industries or on construction sites, and there are numerous different types of accidents that can deliver serious injuries or even death to workers.

Industries and construction sites are notorious for causing severe injuries or death to workers and contractors because of the possibility of explosions, faulty machinery, electric shock and other workplace hazards. If you or a member of your family has been injured or killed in an industrial accident due to negligence by an employer or company, you must protect your legal rights and contact a Tarpon Springs Wrongful Death Lawyer at Whittel & Melton for complete assistance filing your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.