Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

November 6, 2024

News: 1 dead in Pasco County ATV crash involving alleged drunk driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said one person died following an accident involving an all-terrain vehicle in Pasco County.

A report by WTSP states that the incident occurred on a private road behind a gas station in Shady Hills Road Sunday night. The FHP said the ATV driver lost control while driving in circles and the vehicle overturned.

The front seat passenger, a 35-year-old man, was ejected and then was run over by the vehicle, causing fatal injuries. According to state troopers, the driver ran away from the scene but was located a short distance away.

November 5, 2024

News: 8 injured in 2 separate crashes along Florida’s Turnpike

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAKE COUNTY, FL – State troopers responded to two separate accidents along Florida’s Turnpike in Lake County on Sunday morning, WESH reported.

Both occurred in the northbound lanes near mile marker 285 in Groveland at about 9:22 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol said the first incident happened when a driver failed to stop for the car ahead, resulting in a chain-reaction collision that involved a total of eight vehicles.

Then, an SUV driver in the turnpike’s inside lane failed to stop for the previous accident, swerved to the right and struck a van in the outside lane, causing the van to overturn.

November 4, 2024

News: Motorcyclist;, 37, killed in collision with SUV in Marion County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol has released details of an accident Thursday night that claimed the life of an Ocala man.

The Ocala StarBanner reports the incident took place on Southwest 103rd Street Road near 62nd Avenue Road in southwest Marion County.

The FHP’s investigation found that the driver of an SUV was going south on 62nd Avenue Road shortly before 9:45 p.m. and stopped at a four-way stop at the intersection with Southwest 103rd Street Road.

November 1, 2024

News: High Springs man, 59, killed in collision on State Road 45

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – State troopers were at the scene of a fatal crash on State Road 45 in Alachua County Wednesday night, reports the Gainesville Sun.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a man was driving a sedan southbound when the accident happened shortly after 11 p.m. near U.S. 41 and Northwest 32nd Avenue. According to the FHP, the vehicle collided with a deer and went off the road. The sedan then went on to the shoulder of the highway, overturned, and crashed into a utility pole.

The driver, a 59-year-old man from High Springs, was ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

October 31, 2024

Halloween Safety Tips

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Halloween is an exciting time of year filled with costumes, decorations, and of course, candy! However, with all the excitement, it is essential to remember that safety should be a priority. Here are some practical Halloween safety tips to ensure a fun, memorable, and safe experience for kids, families, and anyone participating in the spooky festivities.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

Plan Your Route: Map out a route before heading out, sticking to well-lit areas and familiar neighborhoods. It is a good idea to bring a flashlight or two just in case. Avoid dark or isolated streets, and set a designated return time if you have older kids who are out trick-or-treating with their friends. It is a good idea to have a family meeting spot in case you get separated.

October 31, 2024

News: Pasco County opens temporary shelter for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Pasco County is opening a site to give temporary housing to people who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, WFLA reports.

The shelter, Pasco Hope, will be located at 2654 Grand Boulevard in Holiday and is part of a partnership between the county and Catholic Charities.

It will provide temporary housing and support services for people trying to recover from the two devastating hurricanes. Staff members will be on hand around the clock to help with mental health counseling and case management.

October 30, 2024

News: Man seriously injured when motorcycle collides with SUV in Dade City

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

DADE CITY, FL – A collision in Dade City on Friday morning sent a motorcycle rider to the hospital, Pasco News Online reported.

The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation found that the driver of a Jeep Renegade was headed west on Blanton Road near Interstate 75 when he tried to make a U-turn.

The Jeep entered the path of a Yamaha motorcycle going east, and the SUV was hit by the motorcycle. The motorcyclist, a 34-year-old man from Zephyrhills, was seriously injured.

October 29, 2024

News: Driver collides with Sumter County school bus in The Villages

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

THE VILLAGES, FL – A vehicle was involved in a collision with a Sumter District School bus in The Villages last Wednesday morning, the Villages-News reports.

According to police, a woman driving a Honda HR-V was trying to make a turn from Canal Street onto County Road 466A when her vehicle hit the school bus. None of the 49 students on board were injured in the incident.

The driver of the Honda was taken to Trailwinds Emergency Room with minor injuries. She was issued a ticket on a charge of failure to yield right of way from a stop sign.

October 28, 2024

News: Man killed in Marion County crash while driving to his brother’s funeral

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol and Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of a fatal collision early Saturday morning.

According to a report in the Ocala StarBanner, the man killed in the crash was on his way to his brother’s funeral at the time and had his brother’s ashes in the car with him.

The FHP said the victim, a 64-year-old Fort McCoy man, was driving a Hyundai Elantra north on Northeast 160th Avenue Road when the incident occurred near 180th Street in Hog Valley.

October 25, 2024

News: Woman struck, killed by car at intersection in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – A woman was killed in an accident at an intersection in Pasco County Thursday morning, WFTS reports.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a Ford F-150 was headed west on Ridge Road and made a left turn at the intersection with Lemon Road shortly before 1 a.m.

A passenger in the Ford, a 38-year-old woman, fell out of the vehicle and was struck by a Kia K5. She was pronounced dead at the scene.