Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

August 14, 2024

Back to School Safety Checklist | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

It is that time of year again – the kids are all heading back to school. Right about this time is when family life gets hectic, but it is important to take the time to review – and share with your kids – some key safety tips that can keep them safe throughout the school year.

Tips for Transportation Safety

Children must take the necessary safety precautions whether they walk, ride their bicycles, or take the bus to and from school. To ensure that your child gets to school safely, consider the following suggestions:

August 14, 2024

News: Driver, 47, killed in SUV rollover accident on County Road 46A

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAKE COUNTY, FL – State troopers said a single-vehicle rollover accident in Lake County Monday night left a driver dead.

According to WOFL, the incident took place along County Road 46A near County Road 46. The Florida Highway Patrol learned that the driver of a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe was headed south at about 10 p.m. and ran off the roadway.

When he tried returning to the road he overcorrected, and the vehicle overturned multiple times. The driver, a 47-year-old man from Orlando, was ejected and died after being taken to an area hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, investigators said.

August 13, 2024

News: Pickup truck involved in collision with Alachua County school bus

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol released details of a crash involving an Alachua County Public Schools bus that occurred Monday morning.

According to the Alachua Chronicle, the incident occurred at the intersection of County Road 241 and W. Newberry Road shortly before 8:30 a.m.

The FHP’s investigation indicated that the driver of a pickup truck was headed west on W. Newberry Road and entered the intersection at the same time as the driver of the school bus, causing a collision. The pickup driver, a 68-year-old man from Port Angeles, Washington, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.

August 12, 2024

News: Multi-vehicle accident in Lady Lake blamed on reckless driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LADY LAKE, FL – Police said a multi-vehicle accident in Lady Lake last week sent two drivers to the hospital.

The Villages-News reports that the incident occurred Wednesday evening in the area of County Road 466 and Rolling Acres Road shortly after 6:30 p.m.

A police investigation indicated that the driver of a sedan was headed west on County Road 466, entered the left turn lane where traffic was backed up at the light, and collided with a vehicle merging into the left turn lane.

August 9, 2024

Florida is Home to 2 of the Top 10 Roller Coasters in U.S. – How to Stay Safe at Theme Parks | Florida Roller Coaster Accident Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Earlier this summer, USA TODAY’s 10Best published its list of the top roller coasters in the country, and two rides from Florida made it into the top 10.

To assist narrow down the finest, 10Best asked a panel of theme park experts to select 20 coasters, and readers then voted for their favorites.

With National Roller Coaster Day approaching on Friday, August 16, here are the top 10 best roller coasters in the United States:

August 9, 2024

News: Motorcyclist dies after colliding with SUV at SR-54 and Suncoast Parkway

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene of a fatal collision involving an SUV and a motorcycle in Pasco County on Saturday morning, according to Pasco News Online.

The incident occurred at the intersection of State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway. The FHP’s investigation determined that the driver of a Suzuki motorcycle was going east on SR-54 when he went through a red light at the intersection.

The motorcycle collided with a Ford Expedition that was making a left turn onto SR-54 with a green traffic light, and the impact caused the bike to catch fire.

August 8, 2024

News: Man riding bicycle in Marion County fatally struck by pickup truck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a collision in Marion County Tuesday morning claimed the life of an elderly bicycle rider.

According to the Ocala StarBanner, the 76-year–old victim was riding his bicycle on Southeast Maricamp Road east of Lake Road when the incident took place at about 6:30 a.m. State troopers said a 31-year-old man driving a Chevy Silverado pickup truck spotted the bicycle rider and tried to change lanes, but could not due to the presence of another vehicle in the left lane.

The bicycle rider veered into the path of the Chevy and was hit by the pickup. The rider , a resident of Silver Springs Shores, was pronounced dead at the scene by Marion County rescue crews.

August 7, 2024

News: 1 dead, 5 injured in Pasco County crash after driver goes through stop sign

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – A multi-vehicle collision in Pasco County Friday night killed one of the drivers involved, WFTS reported. Five other people were injured in the wreck, which occurred in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 41 and Hodza Street.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of a Honda Accord going west on Hodza Street went through a stop sign at the intersection at about 9:47 p.m. and was struck by a Dodge Ram pickup truck. The Honda rotated in the intersection and was hit by a GMC Envoy going north on U.S. 41.

The driver of the Honda, a 61-year-old man from Weeki Wachee, died at the scene. The Ram driver, a 51-year-old Brooksville woman, the GMC driver, a 50-year-old Brooksville man, and three passengers suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor.

August 6, 2024

News: Collision along U.S. 41 leaves 2 dead, 2 critically injured

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

DUNNELLON, FL – A collision in Marion County on Friday left two people dead and two others injured, reports the Ocala StarBanner.

The Florida Highway Patrol and Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the scene on U.S. 41 at about 5 p.m. The FHP said the driver of a northbound Chevy pickup truck hit a puddle of water on the highway near County Road 328. The vehicle started to hydroplane and veered right off the roadway.

The driver overcorrected to the left and the pickup re-entered U.S. 41, where it collided with a southbound Toyota Avalon.