Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

June 25, 2024

News: Motorcyclist taken to trauma center after Hernando County crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NOBLETON, FL – Emergency crews responded to the scene of a motorcycle accident in Hernando County on Sunday morning.

In a Facebook post at 10:48 a.m., Hernando County Fire Rescue said the incident happened at the intersection of Lake Lindsey Road and Edgewater Avenue in Nobleton.

One person was transported by medical helicopter to a trauma center for definitive care, the rescue squad said. No details were released on what led to the crash, which is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

June 24, 2024

News: Driver killed in collision with road-marking truck on U.S. 301

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – A collision on U.S. 301 in Pasco County last Tuesday night claimed the life of a driver.

WTSP reported the victim was a 32-year-old woman from Citra, Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol said she was driving north on the highway at about 10:34 p.m. when she lost control of her car near Mattingly Drive.

The vehicle crossed the median into the southbound lanes and collided nearly head-on with a road-marking truck.

June 21, 2024

News: DeLand man dies in head-on collision with dump truck on SR-44

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAKE COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly collision between a dump truck and a pickup truck in Lake County last week.

Inside Lake reports the incident took place June 14 on State Road 44 in the DeLand area. According to state troopers, a man was driving a 2018 Kenworth dump truck east at about 7:15 a.m. when he swerved to the left to avoid traffic that was stopped near Misty Lane.

The dump truck collided with a westbound 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 head-on. The driver of the Ram, a 35-year-old man from DeLand, was pronounced dead at the scene.

June 20, 2024

News: Woman, 78, killed when car collides with pickup in Alachua County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – One driver was killed and another injured in a collision in Alachua County on Tuesday afternoon, according to WOFL.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash happened at about 2:50 p.m. on SW 24th Avenue. The FHP’s investigation found that a 78-year-old woman was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe eastbound when she veered out of her lane near SW 117th Street.

The Tahoe struck the side of a westbound Ford pickup truck that was pulling a utility trailer. The Tahoe also collided with the trailer’s front section. Both vehicles ended up on separate sides of the roadway.

June 19, 2024

News: 1 dead in Pasco County crash involving car and motorcycle

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – A collision involving a motorcycle on State Road 54 in Pasco County left the rider dead, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

A report by WFTS said the accident happened Saturday afternoon at the intersection with Vandine Road in Wesley Chapel.

The FHP’s investigation found that a 53-year-old Wesley Chapel man was driving a Nissan Rogue west on State Road 54 shortly after 3:30 p.m. when he made a U-turn and entered the path of an eastbound Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycle.

June 19, 2024

Parents Who Forgot Daughter In Car Urge Others to Prevent these Tragedies | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Each year, heartbreaking news stories emerge about children who have been forgotten in cars. These incidents often end in tragedy, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and preventive measures.

Sadly, most children left behind in hot cars is because parents/caregivers are preoccupied and just simply forget they are there. It is not because they are bad parents; they just made a mistake that can end in tragedy. That was the case for an Arizona couple in 2019 who ran their older kids to school and forgot about their 3-year-old who was forgotten in dad’s truck after he returned to his home office to dive into his work. The tot usually went to preschool, but was not feeling well that day and needed to stay home with dad. Her dad was on autopilot with his regular routine and just forgot about his young daughter until his wife called to check on her and he remembered he never took her out of her car seat.

The Arizona heat was 98 degrees that day, and by the time the dad called 911, it was too late for the tot. Her parents want everyone to learn from their mistake.

June 18, 2024

News: 2 injured when fleeing motorcyclist hits Marion County government vehicle

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – Two people were injured in a crash involving a fleeing motorcyclist in Ocala last week, police said.

In a Facebook post, the Ocala Police Department said one of its detectives initiated a traffic stop on a motorcycle rider near a convenience store on N Pine Avenue on June 11 at about 11:15 p.m.

The motorcyclist failed to comply with the stop and fled, then went through a red light at the intersection of N Pine Avenue and NW 10th Street. The motorcycle collided with a Marion County government pickup truck going south.

June 17, 2024

News: Woman charged with DUI manslaughter in fatal Ocala car wreck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – Police announced the arrest of an alleged drunk driver in connection with a fatal wreck that occurred in Ocala on Wednesday night.

WKMG reports the suspect was identified as 44-year-old Tiara Kirkland. Ocala police said she was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Spark heading south on North Pine Avenue at about 7:45 p.m.

Investigators learned that Kirkland turned into the path of a Toyota Scion and a Honda Civic which were both traveling north.

June 17, 2024

Review Your Insurance Policy Now – Active Hurricane Season Ahead for Floridians | Florida Hurricane and Storm Damage Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

State officials are urging Florida residents to check their insurance policies as Florida is projected to have an active hurricane season.

Officials have approved insurance companies offering a 0% rate increase, and some that have even decreased their rates. Officials are also keeping a close watch to make sure insurance providers are fulfilling their obligations – they recently fined a company $1,000,000 for mishandling Hurricane Ian’s claims.

Reviewing your insurance policy before a hurricane makes landfall is not just a good idea—it is a necessity. By understanding your coverage, checking for gaps, and updating your policy as needed, you can protect your home and family from the financial devastation that a hurricane can cause. Take the time to review and adjust your insurance policy now if needed, so that you are not panicking after a storm.

June 14, 2024

News: Motorcyclist dies after colliding with vehicle in Spring Hill

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SPRING HILL, FL – A collision in Hernando County on Saturday evening left one person dead and another injured, Fox 13 News reported.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a man was driving a Honda motorcycle west on Spring Hill Drive shortly after 6:30 p.m. and failed to stop at a red light at the intersection with Pinehurst Drive. The motorcycle struck a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV that was going south on Pinehurst Drive. The motorcycle and SUV rotated and came to rest in the eastbound and westbound lanes.

The motorcycle driver, a 21-year-old Spring Hill man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Hyundai, a 43-year-old woman from Spring Hill, sustained minor injuries.