Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

February 22, 2022

News: 2 killed, 1 seriously injured in Pinellas Co. crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PALM HARBOR, FL – Two people were killed and another was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash in Pinellas County Saturday morning.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, a 32-year-old man from New Port Richey was driving a Hyundai Accent north on Bentley Drive. He approached and stopped at an intersection at Alderman Road.

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old man from Palm Harbor was headed eastbound in a Ford Mustang on Alderman Road at a high rate of speed. As the Hyundai driver turned left at the intersection, he was struck on the driver’s side by the Mustang.

February 18, 2022

News: Woman critically injured after bicycle struck by car in Zephyrhills

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL – A woman was critically injured when she was struck by a vehicle on SR-54 on Friday.

An 85-year-old Zephyrhills man was traveling in a sedan eastbound on SR-54 eat of Bough Road reports the Suncoast News. Meanwhile, two bicyclists in the eastbound bike lane were traveling in opposite directions.

As they approached one another, a 40-year-old man on his bicycle moved to allow the woman to pass. While passing, she lost control of her bicycle and fell into the eastbound lane of SR-54 where she was struck by the sedan.

February 17, 2022

News: 1 killed, 2 injured, in four-vehicle Citrus County crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CITRUS COUNTY, FL – A man was killed and two others were injured in a multi-vehicle car crash near Lecanto Thursday morning.

The crash happened around 11 a.m. on State Road 44 near the intersection with South Salisbury Terrace, reports the Citrus County Chronicle.

A driver in a pickup truck towing a trailer was passing a passenger bus on SR-44 when it crashed into the right side of the bus. The truck then crossed the median and struck a traffic sign. After impact, the sign flew and crashed into the window of a westbound van and was then struck by the pickup.

February 16, 2022

News: Motorcyclist struck and killed by vehicle in Hillsborough Co.

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PLANT CITY, FL – A 59-year-old man from Dade City was killed when a car crashed into his motorcycle in Hillsborough County last week.

According to the Tampa Beacon, the crash happened at the intersection of James L. Redman Parkway and E. Trapnell Road on Feb. 5th.

The motorcyclist was riding northbound on James L. Redman Parkway headed towards Trapnell Road when a sedan turned left into the bike’s path. The 19-year-old driver of the sedan had been traveling south on the roadway when they struck the motorcycle.

February 15, 2022

News: Man arrested for DUI in crash that injured woman

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAKE COUNTY, FL – A Villages restaurant manager was arrested for crashing into a vehicle and injuring another person near Eustis early Saturday morning.

According to Villages-News, Johnathan James Ritter, 29, was traveling on Lakeview Avenue in Eustis when he crashed into a vehicle around 4:45 a.m.

The woman whose vehicle was hit said that Ritter had swerved into her lane and she tried to maneuver away but was rear-ended. She suffered minor injuries to her shoulder in the crash.

February 15, 2022

News Update: High school teacher dies day after being hit in parking lot

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HOLIDAY, FL – A teacher at Anclote High School in Pasco County passed away from her injuries after she was hit by a vehicle in the school’s parking lot last Thursday.

Ciara McKeon was hit by a 24-year-old driver in a Kia Sorento in the parking lot at the start of the school day. Coach McKeon, as she was known by students and staff, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital after being freed from underneath the SUV.

According to NBC2, the 28-year-old physical education teacher and tennis coach succumbed to critical injuries on Feb. 11. The driver who hit McKeon said they did not see her in the parking lot.

February 11, 2022

News: 3 injured in Ocala car accident on SW College Rd.

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – Three people were injured after two vehicles collided in Ocala Tuesday afternoon.

According to WCJB, the crash happened on Southwest College Road around noon between a mini-van and van.

Emergency crews had to cut the driver out of the mini-van and transported them to an area hospital. Two people in the other van were injured as well and taken to a hospital.

February 10, 2022

News: Anclote High teacher in critical condition after hit by car in school parking lot

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HOLIDAY, FL – A physical education teacher was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of Anclote High School Thursday morning.

Ciara McKeon, 28, was struck by a driver in an SUV at the back of the school’s parking lot near the gymnasium, reports WTSP. Emergency crews arrived at the school on Sweetbriar Drive around 7 a.m. They found McKeon pinned underneath the vehicle with serious injuries.

She was transported to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.

February 10, 2022

News: 1 person killed in wreck after vehicle crashes into pond

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – One person died after their vehicle crashed into a pond off SR-54 in Lutz Wednesday morning.

According to WFLA, a 52-year-old woman was traveling on SR-54 near Henning Lane when she lost control of her vehicle and went off the road into a pond. Her vehicle was completely submerged and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the incident.

February 9, 2022

Hyundai and Kia Tell Owners of Nearly Half a Million Cars to Park Outside Due to Fire Hazard | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Hyundai and Kia have issued a warning to vehicle owners of 484,577 cars and SUVs across the United States to keep using their vehicles, but keep them parked outside and away from any structures as they could contain a defect that could cause the vehicles to burst into flames unexpectedly, even if the car is turned off.

What is the problem? Possible “foreign contaminants” in the anti-lock brake computer control module can short circuit and cause the engine compartment to potentially catch fire.

Hyundai is recalling 357,830 automobiles, including the following vehicles:

2014 Tucson SUVs
2015 Tucson SUVs
2016 Santa Fe SUVs
2017 Santa Fe SUVs
2018 Santa Fe SUVs
2017 Santa Fe Sport SUVs
2018 Santa Fe Sport SUVs
2019 Santa Fe XL models

Kia has recalled 126,747, including the following:

2014 Sportage SUVs
2015 Sportage SUVs
2016 Sportage SUVs
2016 K900 sedans
2017 K900 sedans
2018 K900 sedans

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kia said they know of three vehicles that have caught fire. Kia did say that vehicle owners can continue driving their recalled vehicles, but should not park near any structures or buildings.

If you are a Kia or Hyundai vehicle driver, then you can check the status of your vehicle by contacting the company’s customer service department or by checking the NHTSA’s auto safety website.

Dealers are starting to replace the recalled vehicles’ anti-lock braking control module, which is a small computer system that controls the vehicle’s emergency anti-lock braking system at no cost to owners. They will also replace a fuse that controls the electric current to the anti-lock braking control unit that will reduce the amount of power entering the module.

Seeking Compensation for Vehicle Fires

If you have been the victim of a vehicle fire, then we encourage you to speak with our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton about filing a personal injury claim for financial compensation. We can help you understand what you need to do to pursue a financial award for property damage, physical injuries, and all other damages related to the dangerous vehicle. Continue reading