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When you are injured in an accident, the clock starts ticking on how long you must file a personal injury claim against they at-fault party. Your priority should be to make sure all your injuries are tended to by a doctor, but as soon as you are able, it is best to consult with a personal injury lawyer who can begin helping with your case right away. You do not want to have your case invalidated or dismissed because you were not aware of the time constraints placed on how long you must file.

When you are injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, your first concern is not usually how long you have to file a claim against that person to recover compensation for your damages. However, this is something that you need to keep in mind because you don’t have an endless amount of time to file a claim against the negligent party. There is a statute of limitations placed on how long you can file a lawsuit for damages.

Statutes of limitations are state laws that limit the amount of time that legal action can be taken after an accident occurs. Statutes of limitations are logically designed to help resolve legal issues in a fair amount of time.

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For most of our clients, their first encounter with the court system is when they are pursuing a lawsuit for a car accident or another type of personal injury. This usually means that they have never had to think about what they need to wear for a deposition or court hearing. If you need to dress for a court appearance, deposition, mediation, hearing, or any other type of legal proceeding, then you should keep in mind what type of clothing makes the best first impression on a judge, jury, and even the opposing counsel. You want to appear credible and well put together right off the bat, and the following tips we have outlined can ensure that you are confident with how you look and that you are making the best first impression so that the judge or jury will focus on your case and not how you look.

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  1. Wear Clothes that Fit and Look Neat: Select clothing that is clean, looks neat, and that fits you well. You don’t have to go out and buy new clothes, but the attire you choose should meet these criteria.
  2. Conservative, Church-Like Clothes Are Best: Keep your clothing selections conservative. No tight dresses, stiletto heels, sleeveless blouses, jeans, or low-cut tops. Men should wear a button up shirt with an undershirt or add a sweater on top if it is cooler temps. Women should wear something with a modest neckline, a blouse that covers your waistline (raise your arms overhead to make sure that the top does not reveal your stomach), and a dress or skirt that is not too short or tight. Even if you normally do not dress conservatively, it is best to do so for court. A judge and jury may have a mindset of what is appropriate or not to wear to court, so conservative is best. You can dress however you want outside the courtroom, but we advise striving to make the best possible first impression.
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Whether a case involves a slip and fall accident at a grocery store or a car accident, most personal injury claims can be settled outside of the courtroom.

While the court system prefers when cases settle outside of the courtroom as it clears up the court’s schedule for bigger cases, however, if negotiations are not proving successful, then a lawsuit can absolutely be filed where a decision will be granted by a judge or jury. There are several instances where a trial may be necessary, including:

  • Fault is up for debate. Sometimes the individual that has brought harm to you denies any responsibility. They may argue that the injury was your fault – or someone else’s. Determining who is at fault is crucial since that person is financially responsible for the damages incurred.
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In today’s fast-paced world, technology has become an essential component of our daily routine. Although there are many advantages to technology improvements, they have also led to an increase in incidences involving distracted driving. Distracted driving is a critical issue that jeopardizes road safety.

The bottom line is that cars today have more features than cars 20-30 years ago, which makes it much easier to become distracted behind the wheel. We are constantly getting text messages and have large screens in our cars where you can play satellite music or even “car play” where you can play music from your phone, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, the list goes on.

Distracted driving is often attributed to teen drivers, but that is not always the case. Our Florida Car Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have seen distracted driving accidents involving truck drivers, bus drivers, moms and dads in minivans and SUVs, grandmas/grandpas in sedans, and of course, teen drivers.

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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.
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On Thursday, Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Atlantic Ocean after devastating Florida, where it caused more than 3 million people to lose power, generated 150 tornadoes, and resulted in at least 12 deaths.

Hurricane Milton produced up to 18 inches of rain in certain regions, with Sarasota County experiencing the worst storm surge, which measured 8 to 10 feet.

While Hurricane Milton has passed out of Florida, flood warnings remain in certain areas.

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During the Labor Day holiday weekend, there are typically more impaired drivers on the roadways, so you can expect to see more police officers patrolling the streets as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ramps up its annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

The goal of the August 14–September 2 campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, is to raise public awareness of the risks and repercussions of drunk driving.

According to the NHTSA, 32% of all traffic deaths in 2022 involved a drunk driver. Over the Labor Day holiday in 2022, 490 people died in traffic accidents.

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NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – Police said a scooter rider died after being hit by a vehicle in New Port Richey, Pasco News Online reports.

The incident occurred July 12 in the vicinity of US Highway 19 and Gulf Drive shortly after 10 p.m.  Investigators believe a person on a mobility scooter was crossing the intersection within the designated crosswalk and was hit by a vehicle headed south.

The victim, whose identity was not released, died after being taken to Bayonet Hospital.  Police said the driver involved stayed at the scene and was cooperating with investigators.  There was no evidence that impairment was a contributing factor.

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PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol has released details of a fatal motorcycle accident that took place in Pasco County on Wednesday night.

According to WTSP, the incident happened along State Road 52 near Parkwood Street just before 8 p.m.  The FHP said a motorcyclist on a Harley Davidson was headed west and tried to make a U-turn, but turned into the path of an eastbound SUV and was struck.

The motorcycle rider, a 41-year-old Port Richey man, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the SUV, a 60-year-old woman from Land O’Lakes, was not injured.

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PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a motorcyclist died following a collision with a parked vehicle in Pasco County, according to a report by WFLA.

The crash took place March 16 on Evergreen Court near Cummer Road in the area of the Cypress Manor residential community near Dade City.

The FHP said a man was riding a Yamaha motorcycle southbound at about 11:52 a.m. when he lost control of the bike and collided with a Toyota RAV4.  At the time the Toyota was not occupied and was parked near the residential community.

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