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Posted On: July, 2011

The Villages, FL Golf Cart Accident Attorney :: Whittel & Melton :: Man Killed in Golf Cart Collision with Jeep

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Within the last five years, nearly 10 residents at The Villages in Sumter County, FL have been killed in golf cart-related accidents. Injuries caused by golf cart and other recreational vehicle accidents can include amputations, fractures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord paralysis and death.

A resident of The Villages died last month from injuries sustained in a golf cart accident after it collided head-on with a Jeep Wrangler.

According to reports, the man’s wife was driving the cart around 9 p.m. on June 16 when the golf cart entered a traffic circle going the wrong way and smashed into the Jeep. The man and the woman were ejected from the cart and sent to area hospitals for their injuries.

The man reportedly died around noon on June 19. His wife was listed as in stable condition at the Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Many Florida tourists and residents take advantage of summer weather by sporting the streets in recreational vehicles, like golf carts. Golf cart fatalities and injuries are becoming more and more common in residential neighborhoods and retirement communities throughout the state of Florida. In 2009, more than 1,600 golf cart accidents in Florida were reported. Many golf cart fatalities occur from disobeying traffic laws or operating the cart in a reckless manner. The Florida Golf Cart Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton handle a wide range of golf cart accidents including, automobile collisions, intersection smash-ups, drunk driving catastrophes, rollovers and country club or golfing accidents.

With more than 55 retirement communities located in Florida, roadways and congested areas are being traveled by retirees on golf carts to get from the golf course, neighbors homes, community events and for any other routine driving purposes. Golf carts used as primary modes of transportation share the streets and roadways with larger and faster-paced vehicles, which can put drivers and passengers at a greater risk for accidents.

It is important to remember that in the hours and even days following your accident, do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company. Despite their friendly demeanor, insurance adjusters will do anything to avoid paying the costs associated with your accident. Prior to making any statements, call Whittel & Melton for a confidential consultation toll free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).

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Posted In: Golf Cart Injury

Posted On: July, 2011

Citrus County, FL Personal Injury Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Woman Killed in Crystal River ATV Crash

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A 20-year-old Inverness, FL woman was killed in an all-terrain-vehicle accident Friday afternoon in Crystal River after the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to flip.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the woman’s 22-year-old boyfriend was driving the 2010 Polaris ATV around 4 p.m. in a field when the vehicle rotated, overturned onto its right side and then came to a halt against a fence.

The man and the woman were both ejected from the vehicle. The man suffered minor injuries.

An investigation into the crash is still underway.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2009 Annual Report of ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries, between the years of 1982 and 2009 there have been a total of 10,281 ATV-related deaths in the United States. The number of fatality reports increased 648 since the last annual report prepared by the CPSC in 2008. In the state of Florida, there were 361 ATV-related deaths from 1982-2006 and 86 reported deaths from 2007-2009; totaling 447 reported fatalities or 29 percent of all U.S. ATV-related deaths from 1982-2006.

ATVs are powerful vehicles with the potential for disaster and should never be treated as toys. These vehicles can travel at excess speeds of 60 miles per hour and can weigh more than 700 pounds. ATVs can easily tip or roll over and because the vehicle is usually operated in off-road conditions proper training is essential.

Any person found responsible for an ATV accident can be held liable for injuries and damages suffered by the victim of the collision. In the event of a wrongful death, the victim’s family may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, loss of companionship, mental distress, lost wages and loss of earning potential. To receive fair compensation a rigid investigation needs to take place immediately so all evidence can be preserved, medical information can be obtained and any involved insurance parties can be notified to begin their examination.

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Posted In: ATV Accident , Citrus County , Wrongful Death

Posted On: July, 2011

The Villages, FL Golf Cart Injury Attorneys Whittel & Melton Warn all Golf-Cart Owners —Study Finds Golf-Cart Head Injuries are On the Rise

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A new study by doctors at the Georgia Health Sciences University has shown that golf cart injuries are a leading cause of serious head trauma across the country. The study was published in June and identified a total of 68 patients treated for golf cart-related injuries from 2000 to 2009 at GHSU, a level 1 trauma center.

While the study only focused on trauma center patients, more than two-thirds suffered severe head injuries associated with loss of consciousness, hemorrhage or skull fracture. Nearly 60 percent of the trauma patients treated were children around the age of 9. In 59 percent of the injuries treated among victims over the age of 16, alcohol was found to be a factor. Around 38 percent of the victims suffered injuries from being ejected from the golf cart, with roll-over accidents causing around the same number of tragedies. The last 16 injuries were sustained in collisions with motorcycles and stationary objects.

The study noted that with the use of golf carts and buggies of low speeds in many retirement communities, like The Villages, most drivers are passengers are failing to wear helmets and protective gear that could keep them safe from injuries. Golf carts are usually not equipped with doors and lack certain safety features like seat belts, mirrors and lights. The fact is that golf carts are one of the less stable modes of transportation and unexpected rollovers and ejections are very likely to happen. Being ejected from a golf cart going 20 miles per hour can leave victims with grave injuries as a result of a hard fall.

A previous study performed in 2008 by the Center for Injury Sciences at the University of Alabama peered into the estimated 48,255 golf cart-related injuries that happened across the U.S. from 2002-2005 and identified the most common injuries that have caused a 130 percent jump in golf cart-related injuries from 1990-2006. The results showed that golf cart injury victims are highest amongst the 10- to- 19-year-olds as well as people over the age of 80.

The most common diagnosis for lower extremity and hip injuries were found to be cuts and bruises. Fractures were most common in shoulder and upper extremity injuries and intracranial injuries associated with the head and neck were most commonly defined with concussions and hemorrhaging.

The researchers at GHSU said the main issues associated with the injuries described in these studies seem to be the vehicle design safety, driver competence and injury prevention. For residential communities like The Villages, these are huge issues when traveling to community destinations off the golf course like grocery stores, restaurants, the bank or even swimming pools and tennis courts. A combination of added features can make your slow-speed buggy more user friendly, such as front wheel brakes, adjusting the steering wheel position for better balance, installing safety belts and wearing safety helmets.

Remember to never allow children to use a golf cart unsupervised.

In the 90s the U.S. saw an average of 5,000 golf cart-related accident injuries in a year, but today with the use of golf carts on roadways outside the golf course, we are seeing and upward movement of 13,000 golf cart accident injuries a year. An estimated 43,000 residents in The Villages own golf carts for the purposes navigating through their community. Residents use their golf carts as an alternative form of travel or some use them as a hobby, like the Streetrod Club that is known for reconstructing their carts to resemble classic cars, vintage speedsters and even military-inspired Hummers.

Golf carts usually max out at a speed of 20 miles per hour, but it is possible to rebuild a golf cart to perform at higher speeds, sometimes climbing up to 40 miles per hour, which makes getting around easier, faster and less safe. Golf carts were not originally intended for this sort of use, so in addition to installing proper safety features it is vital to obey Florida’s traffic laws. The Villages offers brochures that can educate you on how to remain safe when traveling on your golf cart and they even offer a Golf Cart Safety Clinic.

Within the last five years, it has been estimated that nearly 10 residents of The Villages have been killed due to golf cart-related accidents. The dangers associated with golf carts are very real, so it is important to always err on the side of caution by driving safely and using keen judgment.

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Posted In: Golf Cart Injury , Sumter County , The Villages

Posted On: July, 2011

Daytona Beach, Florida Drowning Fatality Attorneys :: A Two-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Hotel Swimming Pool

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Daytona Beach Shores police confirmed a two-year-old boy drowned at a hotel pool yesterday shortly after noon. The boy was apparently surrounded by many people in the pool, but went undetected underwater for nine minutes.

The boy was whisked out of the pool and transported to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida where he was declared dead.

According to police, the case remains under investigation.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports six other drowning cases involving children under four have occurred this year in family swimming pools in Volusia County.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission just released its 2011 summer snapshot of drowning and near-drowning deaths across America, which reports that since Memorial Day there have been 48 drowning fatalities and 75 near-drowning accidents in 35 states across the country. Of those states, Florida ranks second with 13 total incidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that drowning is the second leading cause of death amongst children under the age of 14.

A swimming fatality at a hotel, community, school or public pool needs to be investigated by qualified lawyers and investigators immediately. Similarly, a drowning at a neighbor’s home are frequently litigated as many communities hold homeowners responsible for safety precautions such as child access gates to prevent such events. If you feel you have an event worth investigating, call our firm immediately toll-free 866-608-5529.

When careless actions by the owners of a pool facility are carried out, tragic drowning accidents can occur to people of all ages. If you feel a negligent situation lead to the death of your loved one, contact Whittel & Melton for a free consultation to discuss the circumstances surrounding your case. We will work to establish whether the details you provide pinpoint a negligent party and then work towards gathering evidence to prove who is responsible for your family’s suffering.

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Posted In: Florida , Swimming Pool Accident , Wrongful Death

Posted On: July, 2011

Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton on Avoiding Holiday Fireworks Hazards

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The Florida Personal Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton advise leaving Fourth of July fireworks to the professionals this holiday weekend.

Summertime in Florida is filled with all kinds of festivities and celebrations, and what better way to celebrate the spirit of America’s freedom than with twinkling wonders lighting up the sky? This Independence Day weekend, Whittel & Melton recommend keeping the fireworks out of your loved ones hands and instead, watch these brilliant displays from a safe distance. Keep in mind that a firework is an explosive device and while they can be purchased at stores, these are commercially packaged explosives that can cause serious burns and eye injuries.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that last year there were three reported deaths and an estimated 8,600 hospital emergency room treated injuries related to fireworks. In 2009, there were an estimated 8,800 injuries treated in America’s emergency rooms and two reported deaths as a result of fireworks. Fireworks were reported as the culprit for more than 7,000 injuries and seven deaths in 2008.

Misguided firecrackers can cause everlasting scarring, third-degree burn injuries and even blindness with the majority of the victims being teenagers and children. Fireworks can even cause houses, automobiles and yards to be set on fire. Fireworks can be defective and always pose the risk of exploding prematurely. Even professional firework displays can cause injuries to bystanders, and if you or a loved one has suffered any type of injury associated with reckless firecracker operations at public display or a backyard BBQ, you should explore your options for legal recourse. A defective device sold by a retailer should also be questioned when the manufacturing is found to be inadequate.

Fireworks and the Fourth of July go hand in hand, so always promote fireworks safety in your neighborhoods and communities. Here are some helpful hints for making sure your red, white and blue celebrations go smoothly:

*Make sure fireworks can be legally bought and sold in your area before purchasing or using them

*Keep young children away from fireworks and never allow them to light them off

*Always attend supervised firework displays—even sparklers, which most deem safe, can cause extreme injuries since they operate at temperatures around 2,000 degrees

*Do not pick up fireworks that failed to fully ignite or attempt to re-light used fireworks

*Do not carry around firecrackers in your pockets or anywhere on your person

*If fireworks are lit in your backyard or neighborhood, douse them with water before throwing them out. Merely throwing them away can cause trash fires.

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Posted In: Firework Safety

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Jason M. Melton

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