Orange County

June 3, 2016

Orange County Lobbyist Richard Anderson Arrested For April Hit-And-Run

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Belle Isle interim city manager, Apopka consultant and lobbyist Richard Anderson turned himself in to authorities yesterday after he was charged with a hit-and-run case that hospitalized another driver back in April.

The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the Lake County collision and issued an arrest warrant for Anderson Tuesday.

Anderson turned himself in to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office out of convenience Tuesday afternoon. That department held him in the Seminole County jail overnight pending transfer to Lake County.

Anderson also resigned Tuesday from his part-time position as Belle Isle’s interim city manager. Mayor Lydia Pisano said she accepted his resignation.

Anderson worked for the city of Apopka, where he stepped down as full-time city administrator in 2014, after Joe Kilsheimer beat longtime incumbent John Land in the mayoral election. However, Anderson took a two-year contract that paid him $22,000 per month as a consultant with Apopka to continue working on several projects for the city.

The Apopka City Council will be looking into his contract status.

Anderson is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injuries from an April 5 automobile crash on State Road 46 near Sorrento. Five charges were filed against him: leaving the scene with serious bodily injury, reckless driving with serious bodily injury, tampering with physical evidence, leaving the scene with property damage and reckless driving with property damage.

According to the FHP, shortly before 1:30 a.m. a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup truck crossed into the opposing lane and slammed head-on into a Toyota Corolla. The driver of the Corolla suffered debilitating injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.

Witnesses told the highway patrol they found the injured driver of the Corolla laying on the ground and another man talking on a cellphone. The second man had left before the FHP arrived. Two of the witnesses later identified Anderson, the owner of the abandoned truck, from photo lineups, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Anderson is the former full-time city administrator of Apopka. He had been with the town for 40 years, starting as a paramedic, working himself up to fire chief, and then becoming the city’s chief administrative officer in late 2004. He retired Sept. 17, 2014, and signed the consulting contract, chiefly to work on the city’s city center project.

He had become interim city manager in Belle Isle after the previous city manager resigned on Jan. 5.

Drivers fleeing the scene of an auto accident are actually quite common occurrences. Sadly, hit-and-run accidents may leave a victim with serious and life-threatening injuries, and in some cases, death. Injury victims and their families are often left wondering what their rights are, especially if the careless driver has not been identified.

June 1, 2016

Orange County Lobbyist Richard Anderson Arrested For April Hit-And-Run

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Belle Isle interim city manager, Apopka consultant and lobbyist Richard Anderson turned himself in to authorities yesterday after he was charged with a hit-and-run case that hospitalized another driver back in April.

The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the Lake County collision and issued an arrest warrant for Anderson Tuesday.

Anderson turned himself in to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office out of convenience Tuesday afternoon. That department held him in the Seminole County jail overnight pending transfer to Lake County.

March 18, 2016

‘Chloe’s Law’ Requiring Retention Pond Guardrails Goes Into Effect July 1

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Less than a year after a University of Central Florida student drowned after her car crashed into a pond, a law is being passed in her name that would require roadside guardrails in front of bodies of water.

Chloe’s Law has passed both the House and the Senate and will go into effect this summer.

With the passing of Chloe’s law, any site of a drowning-related traffic accident over the past ten years will be outfitted with a guardrail.

According to Federal crash data, 49 people in Florida died inside submerged vehicles from 2008 to 2012. No other state comes close to these alarming numbers. Texas, ranks No. 2, with 18 deaths, followed by Indiana with 14, and Arizona and Louisiana, each with 10.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, counties with the highest concentration of motor vehicle drownings were:

Palm Beach
Broward
Miami-Dade

Orange, Duval, Lee and Collier Counties are tied for fourth place.

While it is true that guard rails won’t stop all accidents from occurring, strategically placed rails can reduce drowning fatalities from these types of collisions. In many cases, guard rails can turn what could be a fatal accident into a minor traffic incident.

If you or someone you love has been involved in any type of auto accident that resulted in serious injuries or death, you might have a claim for financial compensation if someone else is responsible for the incident, including when another driver’s negligent actions caused your car to travel off the road and into a body of water.

December 15, 2015

Motorcyclist Killed in Volusia County Crash on SR-415

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 63-year-old motorcyclist was killed in Volusia County on Monday afternoon after a pickup truck pulled in front of him, ejecting him from his bike.

According to troopers, the Georgia man was traveling north on State Road 415 at about 1:20 p.m. when a 2005 Ford pickup pulled out from Lemon Bluff Road and into his path.

He was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, but passed away a short time later.

The driver of the pickup was not injured.

Charges are pending, according to reports.

Everyone on Florida roadways are required by law to operate safely and share the road with all vehicles – this includes motorcycles. When carelessness, recklessness or negligence results in an accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even wrongful death.

Most motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries, including the following:

Broken bones and fractures
Soft tissue damage
Whiplash injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Spinal cord damage
Nerve damage
Road rash and burns
Scarring
Amputation
Lacerations
Joint damage and loss of movement

September 2, 2015

Florida’s Bicycle Death Rate Highest in Nation

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A new report on bicyclist deaths by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that Florida has the highest rate of bicycling deaths of any state in the nation — 0.57 per 100,000 people, more than double the nationwide rate of 0.23 per 100,000.

While other states have found ways to cut bicycle deaths during two periods measured over the last three decades, Florida has only reduced the number less than 10 percent.

Nationwide, safety seems to be improving for bicyclists, with the number of deaths per 100,000 people declining 44 percent from 0.41 to 0.23 during the periods measured — the five years from 1975 to 1979 and the five years from 2008 to 2012, according to the new CDC report titled “Bicyclist Deaths Associated with Motor Vehicle Traffic — United States, 1975–2012.”

The steepest decline measured was among children younger than 15.

According to the report, bicyclists are killed on U.S. roads at a rate double that of vehicle occupants, even though bicycle travel accounts for only about 1 percent of trips across all modes of transportation.

Because of the year-round warm climate in Florida, cycling is a popular mode of transportation and exercise activity during most months of the year. However, Florida roadways also pose serious risks to bicyclists, from distracted automobile drivers to improper bike lanes. If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury or was killed in a bike accident, it is very important to discuss your case with a Florida Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton.

Unfortunately, what could start out as a leisurely bike ride can quickly turn into a fatal accident. At Whittel & Melton, we believe that the responsible party should be held responsible for damages. Filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim for a bike accident can be complex, but we can provide you with the experienced representation you need.

August 10, 2015

Man Falls 3 Stories in Construction Site Accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man fell about three stories at a construction site on International Drive Thursday afternoon.

According to an Orange County spokeswoman, the man was conscious when firefighters reached him.

The man, in his 40s, was taken by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to reports.

The construction site is near International Drive and World Center Drive.

He was under a trauma alert, which means he was in serious or critical condition.

It is not clear how the man fell from scaffolding.

Scaffolds are temporary structures that are designed to elevate a construction worker and materials to a height. Usually scaffolds are used to walk around a structure.

Improper connections and sharp corners can result in minor scaffolding-related injuries like cuts and bruises. Plank failures, falling planks, pipe failures, falling pipes, support failures, falling supports, falling objects and falls to the ground can lead to severe scaffolding-related injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, amputations, fractures, paralysis, nerve damage and wrongful death.

If you or a loved have been injured while working at a jobsite, you and your family may be entitled to receive financial compensation for health care, medical expenses, medical bills, loss of income and pain and suffering.

July 18, 2015

Boy Drowns at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 3-year-old boy drowned Tuesday night at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, according to deputies.

The call came in around 8 p.m. to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies claim the boy got separated from his parents and drowned in the pool. He was transported to Celebration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The family was visiting from New York.

Florida, especially the Orlando and central Florida area, is home to a great number of water parks. Children of all ages love water parks, and they are an ideal destination for many families who enjoy the wave pools, slides and fun. However, if waterparks are not properly operated or staffed, they can be quite dangerous, especially for young or inexperienced swimmers. Children can easily get trapped by drains that are missing their covers or they can hit their heads while on a slide other ride and become incapacitated in the water.

Waterpark operators have a legal responsibility to take adequate steps to ensure the water park is free from any hazards. This may include making sure the rides are built, maintained and inspected properly. Additionally, this also includes ensuring that drains are working properly and safety equipment is in working condition. Water parks must also ensure they are staffed accordingly. They must have enough lifeguards, and these lifeguards must be properly trained to perform their duties.

July 2, 2015

Fourth of July Road Dangers

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Fireworks are definitely dangerous, but they are not the only dangers to avoid this Fourth of July weekend. The roadways are especially hazardous during the summer holidays. When you are traveling to or from an Independence Day party this year, please remember to be on the look out for reckless drivers.

Here are a few dangers to try and avoid this Fourth of July:

Drunk drivers. Think about it, almost every Florida Independence Day celebration will have alcohol. Partygoers who are drinking at parties and such should not get behind the wheel of a car. If you see a car weaving or dodging in and out of traffic, keep your distance. If you have a passenger with you, consider notifying authorities.
Drowsy Drivers. Many holiday drivers are travelling lengthy distances to get to their final destination. Those who have been driving for hours may be feeling fatigued. Drowsy driving is often as dangerous as drunk drivers, so stay alert.
Distracted Drivers. Keep in mind that many travelers on Florida roadways are from out of town and have never been to the area before. Taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds to look at a navigation device can have devastating results. Avoid being a distracted driver by staying off your cell phone and having other passengers check your GPS or phone for you.
Speeding Drivers. People that are anxious to get where they are going may decide to speed or drive recklessly. Make sure you obey the posted speed limits and monitor your speed if there is heavy traffic.

April 29, 2015

Illness, Injuries Reported at Orlando Theme Parks

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

During the first three months of 2015, three people felt seriously ill after riding Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey at Universal Orlando.

According to a quarterly theme-park injury report submitted to the state of Florida, Walt Disney World reported six injuries and Universal reported seven.

There were no reported injuries at SeaWorld, Wet `n Wild and Legoland.

According to reports, the injuries on the Harry Potter ride include a 69-year-old man who felt chest discomfort, a 51-year-old man with a pre-existing condition had difficulty moving his extremities and a 76-year-old woman experienced “altered mental status.”

The parks report injuries that take place on a ride and result in an immediate hospital stay of more than 24 hours.

At Disney’s Magic Kingdom, a 64-year-old man hurt his ankle while stepping out of a car at the Indy Speedway. At the Animal Kingdom, two people reportedly felt ill after riding Expedition Everest.

Theme park accidents actually occur more often than the public might think. The major Florida theme parks include Universal Orlando, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Wet ‘n Wild Orlando, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Disney’s Blizzard Beach, LEGOLAND Florida, DisneyQuest, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Universal Studios Florida, Discovery Cove and many more.

Most people tend to think that roller coasters are the most dangerous areas of a theme park. While in some cases these rides do present serious risks, injuries at an amusement park can also frequently result from:

Slip and Fall Accidents
Negligent Security
Drowning or Near-Drowning
Waterborne Illness
Disney Monorail Accidents
Shuttle Bus Accidents
Food Contamination
Malfunctioning Machinery
Animal Bites & Attacks

March 19, 2015

New Tween Seat-Belt Usage Campaign

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a press release last week about the U.S. Department of Transportation’s first-ever National Tween Seat Belt Safety Advertising campaign. The campaign urges parents to “Never Give Up Until They Buckle Up.”

The NHTSA is utilizing this campaign to show the importance of targeting this age group and their parents about seat belt safety. It is absolutely vital for tweens to use their seatbelts any time they are riding in cars because these are formative years that immediately precede driving privileges for teenagers.

Unrestrained Tween Facts: Did You Know?

Within the past five years, 1,552 children between the ages of 8 and 14 died in car, SUV or Van collisions.
Around half of those children killed were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The percentage of child passengers who die while riding unbelted tends to increase with age. This more pronounced among 13 and 14-year-olds, regardless of seating position.

The campaign targets the parents of children between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. Why? This is a very important time to instill the habit in children of always buckling up, for every trip. Tweens are just a few short years away from being in the driver’s seat, which makes this campaign all the more important.

Parents are encouraged to lead by example. No matter how short the trip, any time you get behind the wheel you should fasten your seatbelt before heading anywhere.

Tweens are constantly learning how to be responsible and make good decisions. It is up to the adult or adults in the car to make sure they are always buckled up. Again, it doesn’t matter if you are driving 2 miles or 2,000, tweens, children and adults need to be buckled up for every ride.