Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

March 12, 2025

News: Driver dies in collision with tractor-trailer in Alachua County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – A collision in Alachua County early Monday left one of the drivers dead and the other injured, the Gainesville Sun reported.

A sedan and a tractor-trailer were involved in the wreck at an intersection in Hawthorne at about 5 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation found the driver of a sedan was going south on County Road 1469 and approached a stop sign at County Road 219A.

The driver of the sedan proceeded from the stop sign and then collided with a northbound semi tractor-trailer that was also approaching the intersection and could not stop in time. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old man from Earleton, died at the scene.

March 11, 2025

News: Man arrested on DUI charge after fatal golf cart accident in The Villages

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

THE VILLAGES, FL – Authorities made an arrest in the case of a fatal golf cart accident that occurred in the Villages early Sunday morning, reports the Villages-News.

The incident happened on San Marino Drive at the intersection of Santa Clara Circle in the Village of Rio Ponderosa. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a man was driving a golf cart northbound at about 1 a.m. when he swerved to avoid hitting a parked vehicle.

A passenger fell from the cart and was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital. She was a 60-year-old woman from Norridge, Illinois.

March 10, 2025

News: Motorcycle accident in Summerfield kills 50-year-old man from Maine

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SUMMERFIELD, FL – A motorcycle accident in Marion County last Monday night, March 3, left a rider dead, according to the Villages News.

The crash occurred on U.S. 301 near County Road 42 in Summerfield, near The Villages. The Florida Highway Patrol said the motorcyclist was riding on U.S. 301 shortly before 11:30 p.m. when he failed to maintain a lane and collided with a concrete curb. The rider lost control, and the motorcycle overturned, then landed on the center median of U.S. 301.

The motorcyclist, a 50-year-old man from Penobscot, Maine, was pronounced dead after being taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the FHP said.

March 7, 2025

News: Motorcyclist dies following multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 75

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a fatal collision involving a motorcycle and two SUVs in Pasco County on Tuesday night, Pasco News Online reports.

The crash took place on Interstate 75 northbound near State Road 54 at about 7:40 p.m. The FHP said a man was driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle in the outside lane of the interstate and crashed into the back of a Kia Sportage that was stopped in the lane. A Honda Pilot that had merged from the center lane into the outside lane was also hit by the motorcycle.

The motorcycle rider, a 62-year-old man from New Port Richey, was pronounced dead at the scene.

March 6, 2025

What Happens if My Personal Injury Case Goes to Trial?

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

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.

March 6, 2025

News: Man killed, woman injured in wreck on U.S. 19 in Crystal River

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CRYSTAL RIVER, FL – Two vehicles were involved in a deadly collision on U.S. 19 in Crystal River last week, according to the Citrus County Chronicle.

The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation of the Feb. 26 accident found that the driver of a Hyundai Accent had pulled out of a parking lot to go west onto U.S. 19 when the vehicle was struck by a northbound GMC Yukon near State Road 44.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 71-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene while his passenger, a 69-year-old woman, was seriously injured. Both were Homosassa residents.

March 5, 2025

News: Scooter crash in Gainesville claims life of University of Florida student

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

GAINESVILLE, FL – A collision between a car and a scooter in Gainesville claimed the life of a University of Florida student, the Gainesville Sun reports.

The crash occurred Sunday evening near the Southwest Recreation Center on campus. Gainesville police said the student was riding her scooter west on Hull Road at about 7:30 p.m. At the same time, the driver of a Mustang was gong east on Hull Road when they tried to make a turn into a parking lot and crashed into the scooter.

The student, identified as 21-year-old Nyla Holland, was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital.

March 4, 2025

International Travel Tips from a Personal Injury Lawyer

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

If you have never traveled abroad and are planning a trip soon, there are probably many questions going through your brain. Lucky for you, our personal injury attorneys at Whittel & Melton are well versed in international holidays and we have some great non-injury-related tips that can help your trip go smoothly.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before you head out on your vacation. Drink plenty of water once you arrive at your destination, just make sure that whatever water you are drinking is safe for consumption. In countries where the tap water is unsafe to drink, bottled water is the best option.
Use bright luggage. This helps you identify your bag quicker and will help you get through customs swiftly so that you can get on with your vacation. If you do not have bright-colored luggage, consider adding colorful stickers or a fun tag or ribbon that stands out so that you can easily identify your luggage.

March 4, 2025

News: Head-on crash on State Road 54 leaves 1 driver dead, 1 injured

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said one driver died and another was injured after their vehicles crashed in Pasco County Monday morning.

Pasco News Online reported details of the collision, which occurred on State Road 54 near Heron Cove Drive in Lutz.

According to the FHP, the driver of an Infiniti G37 was heading west shortly before 8 a.m. and failed to properly navigate a curve in the roadway.

March 3, 2025

News: Woman involved in crash after fleeing from Marion County deputy

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – A driver is facing charges after crashing her vehicle while fleeing from law enforcement in Marion County last week, according to a WCJB report.

The suspect in the Feb. 24 incident was identified as 33-year-old Nicole Backer, of Ocala. Authorities said she was spotted entering her car and then failing to stop before driving onto Northeast 24th Street. Officials also said she was not wearing a seatbelt.

A Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy began following Backer, who tried to turn onto Northeast 25th Street but swung too wide into the shoulder of the road and was almost hit by another vehicle.