New Port Richey, FL

June 11, 2014

Florida Slip, Trip and Fall Injury Lawyer :: National Safety Month – Stop Slips, Trips and Falls

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are a primary cause of injury in the United States for people of all ages and genders. June is National Safety Month, which is why it is important to address these risks, and for all of us in Florida to strive to help prevent future accident injuries.

The Second Week of National Safety Week Is Dedicated to Fall Prevention

The National Safety Council has dedicated the second week of June to raising awareness about slip and fall and trip and fall injuries. There are many ways we can prevent serious injuries and fatalities throughout our Florida communities, including the following:

June 4, 2014

Florida Auto Accident Injury Attorney :: New NHSTA Study Shows the Staggering Toll of Car Crashes on U.S. Residents

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Whenever a motor vehicle accident occurs in Florida, or anywhere else throughout the country, it creates a series of events that cost money. While these costs are not always apparent to other people, make no mistake, car accidents can be quite expensive.

When viewed as a whole, the numbers are downright shocking. A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demonstrates that motor vehicle accidents cost more than $870 billion in economic loss per year. This study examined data from 2010. That $870 billion can be broken down even further to a personal basis, averaging an estimated cost of $900 per person in the U.S., which does not just apply to accident victims, but all people residing in this country.

NHTSA’s study, “The Economic and Society Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2010,” focuses on some of the behavioral factors that influenced that year’s nearly 33,000 highway fatalities, 3.9 million injuries and 24 million damaged vehicles. According to the study, three driver behaviors including speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving, accounted for 56 percent of the economic loss to the nation and 62 percent of the societal harm. Societal harm is described as harm due to loss of life and decreased quality of life.

What is not so shocking is that drunk driving accidents were found to be among the most expensive kinds of accidents. These accounted for 18 percent of the total economic loss and 23 percent of the overall societal harm.

Speeding accounted for 21 percent of the overall economic loss costing the nation $59 billion and 24 percent, or $210 billion, of the societal harm.

Distracted driving crashes were responsible for 17 percent of the total economic loss and cost $46 billion. These crashes accounted for $129 billion, or 15 percent, of the overall societal harm.

On a positive note, researchers for this study concluded that using seatbelts led to a savings of almost $70 billion in medical care, lost productivity and other costs that were not incurred. For now, around 5 percent of the total economic loss involved people in auto accidents where they were not buckled up or did not properly fasten their seatbelt.

May 28, 2014

Florida Injury Attorney :: Florida Takes Top Four Spots in New Ranking of America’s Deadliest Cities for Pedestrians

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

While all pedestrians should pay extra close attention when crossing the street, it seems that Floridians need to be especially mindful.
In a new report from the National Complete Streets Coalition, Dangerous By Design 2014, a Pedestrian Danger Index was used to rank the deadliest places to walk in America. Florida is home to the top four cities, with six other southern cities finishing out the top 10:

Orlando, FL
Tampa, FL
Jacksonville, FL
Miami, FL
Memphis, TN
Birmingham, AL
Houston, TX
Atlanta, GA
Phoenix, AZ
Charlotte, NC

You can view the full list here.

The Pedestrian Danger Index was calculated by looking at the last five years of available data on pedestrian fatalities and factoring in the number of local commuters who walk to work every day.

The report shows that 47,025 people nationwide were hit by cars and died while walking between 2003 and 2012. This number is 16 times greater than the number of Americans who died in natural disasters over the same time frame. Additionally, another 676,000 pedestrians were injured while travelling on foot, which likens to someone being hit by a car every eight minutes.

The elderly are found to be much more at risk than any other age group, according to the report. While they only represent 12.6 percent of the total U.S. population, adults ages 65 and older account for 21 percent of pedestrian fatalities.

This report shows just how dangerous busy roads and intersections can be for those walking to their destinations. The following tips are a great reminder on how to stay safe as a pedestrian:

Stay Alert. Distracted walking can be just as dangerous as distracted driving. Always look where you are going and be aware of your surroundings. In 2010, more than 1,500 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for pedestrian-related injuries resulting from distractions, especially cell phones. Keep your eyes off your cell phone when crossing the street!

Never Jaywalk. Did you know that pedestrians can be held liable for auto accidents, too? When you cross the street against a light and run into traffic, you increase your risk of being struck and potentially killed by a motorist.

Use the Sidewalk. While sidewalks may not be located in certain areas in the city, if they are available for use, please use them and do not walk in the street. If a biker is taking up the sidewalk, gently remind them that they are meant for pedestrians.

May 23, 2014

Florida Auto Accident Injury Lawyer :: Car Crashes Increase over Memorial Day, Stay Safe on Florida’s Roadways

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Memorial Day weekend is finally here and many of you will be setting out to enjoy the official start of summer with our state’s numerous recreational possibilities. With that said, it is estimated that close to 34 million people will be hitting the road over the long holiday weekend and traveling at least 50 miles from home. Whether you are staying local or making a trek to a family member or friend’s home, the Florida Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton urge you to drive safely and exercise caution this holiday weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be a time for remembrance and celebration. Whatever type of activity you choose to partake in this weekend, we urge you to do so responsibly. Make sure if you are driving to always pay attention, look out for any roadside construction and always see to it that everyone in your vehicle is buckled up. Remember, if you are going to be drinking at any point during the holiday weekend, just be sure to have a designated driver set in place.

According to AAA, the amount of motorists travelling on the roadways this Memorial Day weekend will be at a 10 year high. Dating back to past Memorial Day weekends, statistics show that there is an increase of more than ten percent in motor vehicle accidents vs. other holiday weekends.

You can help exercise safety this Memorial Day weekend just by brushing up on a few safety steps:

Always give yourself enough time to get from Point A to Point B.
Follow all posted speed limits.
Limit Driver Distractions.
Make sure everyone, including those in the back seat, is wearing their seat belt.
Do not drink and drive. In fact, make sure you have a designated driver assigned before you start drinking so that you are not tempted to drive after consuming alcoholic beverages.

May 13, 2014

Florida Child Injury Lawyer :: Look Before You Lock – The Risks & Consequences of Leaving Children Alone in Hot Cars

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

We rely on our vehicles to get ourselves and our loved ones safely where we need to go, however it can be easy to forget that when you leave a child in the car for too long, the results can be deadly. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the leading cause of all non-crash-related fatalities involving children aged 14 and younger is heatstroke.

Vehicles can reach extreme temperatures very quick, even if you have the windows rolled down. A child’s body absorbs more heat on a hot day than an adult’s does due to the fact that children’s bodies have a harder time regulating body temperature. Heatstroke can happen even in cars parked in a shaded area on days that reach 80 degrees or less. Studies have shown that in temperatures around 80 degrees, a vehicle can become lethal in just 10 minutes.

As parents and caregivers, it is vital to understand the risks and consequences associated with leaving kids in vehicles, especially hot cars.

Potential Risks

In just 10 short minutes, a car can jump up by 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cracking or rolling down a window does very little to keep the car cool.
Even with temperatures in the 60s, your vehicle can heat up to temperatures that exceed 110 degrees.
A child’s body temperature can climb up to five times faster than an adult’s.
Heatstroke can occur even in mild temperatures. In fact, studies show that heatstroke can occur when it is as cool as 57 degrees outside!
A child dies when their body temperature reaches 107.

Possible Consequences

Death from heatstroke.
In the state of Florida, it is considered a second-degree misdemeanor to leave a child under the age of six alone in a car for more than 15 minutes or while the motor was running causing the health of the child to be in danger.
This crime is punishable by a fine of up to $500.

How to Avoid a Tragic Heatstroke

Never leave a child alone in a car, even if you need to run a quick errand.
Remind children to not play in an unattended vehicle.
Do not leave infants or young children in a parked car, even if the windows are rolled down.
Place a purse, briefcase or anything else that you will need when you get out of the car in the backseat, so that you cannot forget about a child riding in the backseat.
Make it a habit to look inside your vehicle, both front seat and back, before locking the door and walking away.
If you should see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 right away. If you notice that they are in distress due to heat, it is important to get them out of the car as quickly as possible.

October 3, 2011

New Port Richey, FL Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers and Head Injury Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Hudson Man Charged in December Crash that Killed a Passenger and Seriously Injured a Driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 46-year-old Hudson, Florida man has been charged in a December accident that killed a woman and left a man with serious brain injuries.

The driver was allegedly intoxicated when he crashed his 2004 Lincoln sedan into a moped around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 15. According to Tampabay.com, the impact of the collision instantly killed the passenger on the moped, a 27-year-old female from New Port Richey.

The 24-year-old driver of the moped was reported seriously injured according to Florida Highway Patrol and has had several brain surgeries since the crash.

The man responsible for the crash supposedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.095. He faces charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury and DUI with property damage. His bail was set at $16,000.

If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by a DUI accident, you could be eligible to recover compensation for the brain or head injuries sustained. The Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you and your loved ones obtain financial compensation for medical expenses, loss of benefits, lost wages, mental anguish, physical pain, medical equipment and rehabilitation fees.

The most common cause of a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an extreme blow or force delivered to the head. The National Institute for Health’s research shows that car accidents, which includes DUI-related collisions are responsible for around half of all TBIs in the U.S. annually. TBIs can take years for a victim to recover from, if there is a possibility for full recovery, and can affect a person’s speech, memory, mobility, concentration, personality, behavior and obviously capacity to earn a living.

TBIs can present themselves in a variety of ways, and it is important to note that you and the ones you care for have rights despite whether injuries can be seen. Brain damage is permanent and can have a wide range of physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms that can often be misunderstood. It is not uncommon for mild TBIs to be overlooked because it can take time for a victim of an accident to start showing signs of injury. Even the slightest brain injuries can have a lasting impact on the way a person lives his or her life. Warning signs associated with a TBI can include nausea, confusion, seizures, depression, personality changes, irritability and other types of behavioral and emotional problems. A TBI can range in seriousness from a mild concussion to permanent physical, mental and emotional impairments, coma, seizure disorders, paralysis and even wrongful death.

The Florida Brain and Head Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton recognize that brain trauma, like TBIs related to DUI wrecks, can create continuing aftereffects. Our staff and attorneys are well experienced working with experts in the fields of neuroanatomy, medicine and rehabilitation planning.