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.

March 21, 2013

St. Petersburg Car Accident Leaves Woman Injured After Colliding with Tour Bus

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A St. Petersburg car accident has left a Clearwater woman critically injured after her car collided with a tour bus carrying a college baseball team travelling from Minnesota for a baseball tournament.

According to news reports, the crash occurred during Wednesday rush hour near the corner of 34th Street and 22nd Avenue S in St. Petersburg. The driver and her male passenger were taken to Bayfront Medical Center for trauma treatment. Both are expected to survive.

In an apparent rush to beat a red light, video evidence showed law enforcement that the woman driver made a left hand turn in front of the bus, and that the bus ran a red light, contributing to the crash and extensive property damage to her car. Investigators are still waiting for video from a different red light camera to determine where the woman’s Buick was when the light turned red.

Collisions involving cars, truck, motorcycles and SUVs can happen in the blink of an eye. While many different factors can lead to a crash, most result in significant property damage, serious personal injury or even wrongful death.

Many of our clients wonder if you can you recover a portion of your damages even if you may have contributed to the collision. Fortunately, Florida recognizes a “comparative negligence” theory of negligence, which allows both parties to monetarily recover– even when more than one party is responsible for the accident. But, in comparative negligence cases, there tends to be a lot of blame passed back and forth between sides for who contributed the most to the accident. This is why it is so important to have an experienced Tampa Bay Car Accident Attorney from Whittel & Melton by your side. We work with a team of experts who can recreate your accident and collect all necessary evidence to help you recover the largest award possible.

March 11, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer :: Accidental Cooking Fire Destroys St. Petersburg Home

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue responded to a fire that broke out at a residential home Sunday morning.

Officials claim they viewed heavy smoke and fire coming from the one story home around 5:16 a.m.

The occupant, 41-years-old, was found exiting the side door. He was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and transported to Bayfront Hospital in stable condition.

Reports indicate the fire started in the kitchen and made its way into the attic.

According to fire investigators, the occupant started cooking and then fell asleep leaving two burners on.

The occupant stated he woke up due to the smoke choking him.

The fire eventually destroyed the entire home.

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires in the United States, with grease fires being the main cause. Sadly, more than 480 people are killed annually and many more suffer severe burn injuries in accidents caused by cooking fires. Kitchen fires can flare up in a matter of seconds and destroy an entire home, ultimately causing around $900 million dollars in property damages every year.

Accidental kitchen fires can be prevented. There are various measures homeowners and renters can follow in order to protect themselves and their homes against kitchen fires.

• Never leave food on a stove burner unattended. Dry cooking fires happen when moisture evaporates from the pan, leaving the food inside burned. Never walk away from the kitchen once you have started to cook. When you are done cooking, make sure all burners are turned off.

• Keep flammable objects, such as napkins, towels and potholders away from stovetops.

• Keep all your cooking equipment clean, so that grease does not build up. Grease fires are the most common cause of kitchen fires, so always be extra cautious of this.

• Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case any flames arise. You want to use a fire extinguisher that is dry and chemical-based.

• Never use water to put out a kitchen blaze, as this only makes things worse. An important tip to remember – fire cannot exist without oxygen, so cover a cooking fire with a metal lid and smother the flames.

• Should a fire erupt, evacuate the home and call 911.

March 4, 2013

St. Petersburg Auto Accident Attorney :: One Killed in Overnight Collision on Interstate 275

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

One person was killed in a car accident Sunday night on Interstate 275.

The Florida Highway Patrol and St. Petersburg police arrived at the crash site around 10 p.m.

Southbound traffic on I-275 was blocked for several hours, but was clear in time for Monday morning rush hour.

The crash occurred between 38th Avenue N and 22nd Avenue N.

No additional details are available regarding the collision.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 33,808 people were killed in auto accidents throughout the United States in 2009. While this number may seem high, it was actually a 9.7 percent decrease in the number of people killed in related accidents in 2008. Although statistics show that the number of fatal car accidents has declined in the U.S. in recent years, this doesn’t help family members who suffer unexplainable shock and grief when a loved one has passed away in a motor vehicle accident. This is a highly emotional and troubling time, and family members need help working through the stress and anger the wrongful death of their loved one has caused.

When someone you love is unexpectedly killed in a car accident, it can be confusing and leave you at a loss for what to do next. You and your family should focus on grieving, but you may be forced to deal with hefty financial burdens related to the accident, like hospital bills, funeral costs and other expenses. Facing financial hardships following a fatal accident can be more than anyone can handle. A St. Petersburg Wrongful Death Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you hold any negligent parties accountable for your loss.

A wrongful death lawsuit can help you recover compensation for many various damages, including:

• Funeral Costs
• Hospital and Medical Expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of Consortium
• Lost Wages
• Loss of Income and Benefits
• Physical Pain and Emotional Suffering

February 26, 2013

Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Attorney :: Biker Killed in Sunday Night Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist passed away shortly after a collision late Sunday night at the intersection of North Florida Avenue and West Busch Boulevard.

The motorcycle crashed around 11:45 p.m., according to Tampa police.

The bike was the only vehicle involved in the wreck. The driver was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he died a short time later.

The accident resulted in West Busch Boulevard being shut down for several hours, but it was reopened Monday morning.

The crash is currently being investigated.

Motorcycle accidents can be complicated matters, which is why they require thorough investigation. Many times motorcycle accidents occur due to another driver’s negligence, however there are certainly other factors that can contribute as well. Sometimes vehicle defects and poor road design can play a role in a collision. It is even possible for crashes to be caused by improperly set up road construction or a lack of warning signs for hazardous highway conditions.

February 18, 2013

Tampa Bay Pedestrian Death Attorney :: Eight-Year-Old Girl Struck and Killed by SUV

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An eight-year-old Tampa girl was killed earlier this month after she was hit by an SUV on Busch Boulevard.

The third grader underwent surgery after suffering internal and head injuries, but passed away shortly after.

According to police, the child was struck in the innermost lane of eastbound traffic, while she attempted to cross the six-lane roadway.

She was with her 12-year-old sister at the time of the accident. The girls were trying to cross the very busy road at the intersection of Busch Boulevard and 14th Street.

There is no crosswalk at that intersection and the speed limit is 45 miles per hour.

Tampa Police claim the driver of the SUV will not face charges.

Sadly, pedestrian accidents involving children are not uncommon. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children under the age of 16 accounted for 23 percent of pedestrians injured in traffic collisions in 2010. In addition to these numbers, more than 20 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 9 were killed in pedestrian traffic accidents. Children are at an increased risk when it comes to crossing the street, so it is important to remind your children regularly of how to be safe pedestrians.

The following are some tips that can keep your child safer on the streets:

1. Always cross the street using crosswalks and traffic signals.

2. Wear bright or reflective clothing to boost visibility to drivers.

3. Before crossing the street – stop, look and listen. Encourage children to stop first before crossing an intersection, look left, right and left again before crossing and listen for approaching vehicles. As they cross the street, they should continue to look and listen.

4. Whenever possible, walk on sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, remind children to walk facing oncoming traffic and to stay as far to the left of the street as possible.

5. Do not wear headphones when crossing the street. You need to be able to listen for approaching vehicles.

6. If you need to use your cell phone, stop walking.

February 15, 2013

Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer :: New York Mother Files Injury Lawsuit Against Wendy’s for Negligence with Safety Measures

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A New York mother and daughter team has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Wendy’s International Inc. and Westbury Properties, LLC, after sustaining serious injuries at their local fast-food restaurant.

The mother and her 11-year-old daughter were exiting the restaurant on Dec. 4 when they were struck by the vehicle of an elderly driver. The pair was pinned to the wall of the restaurant, crushing their legs and resulting in multiple fractures, excruciating pain and costly medical treatment.

Two months later, the mother is still confined to a wheelchair while the daughter is able to walk again.

Now, the mother has filed a multimillion dollar personal injury lawsuit against Wendy’s and the driver of the car with the hopes of recovering just financial compensation for the damages suffered from this life changing accident.

The woman’s claim not only names the cause of the accident as the driver’s negligence, but also claims that the restaurant was careless with their safety precautions. The fast-food location only installed curb stops and signs after the accident occurred.

While Wendy’s did issue a statement of regret following the accident, they did not address any specifics associated with the pending lawsuit.

Personal injury lawsuits can be filed by victims who were injured as a direct result of another person or entity’s negligence. The mother and daughter team in this case are seeking full and fair compensation for their pain and suffering, which is entitled to them by law. When filing a personal injury claim, victims may recover for various damages including lost wages, costs associated with all medical treatments and physical and emotional pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries due to someone else’s reckless actions or negligent behavior, a personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights.

February 14, 2013

Clearwater Pedestrian Killed in Auto Accident last night

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to new reports, the Clearwater man walking across Missouri Avenue near Turner Street who was struck by a car Wednesday night, is dead.

As part of a traffic homicide investigation, Clearwater Police shut down all southbound lanes of Missouri Avenue at Druid Road, Wednesday evening to preserve evidence at the scene. A Clearwater Public Safety spokesperson says the man was crossing Missouri from the east to the west side and south of the intersection at Turner Street when he was hit.

The driver told traffic homicide detectives that he did not see the pedestrian until just before impact.

February 8, 2013

St. Petersburg Boy Injured By Falling Accident at Tropicana Field

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Last week, Bay News 9 reported that a toddler fell nearly 15 feet from the top of the stands at Tropicana Field at the East-West Shrine Football Game.

St. Petersburg Fire officials say that the boy crawled between part of the stadium’s permanent seating and make-shift stands for the event, and then fell. Thankfully, the after the boy was taken to Bayfront Medical Center, his condition stabilized.

Accidents can happen anywhere, but sometimes, negligent upkeep of premises by property owners can cause injuries. When this happens, accident victims my have a claim against the property owners under Florida Law.