February, 2012

Orlando Rear End Collision Lawyers Whittel & Melton :: Seven People Injured After Car Crashes into Lynx Bus

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Seven people were injured and taken to area hospitals after a car slammed into the back of a Lynx bus shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday.

A Ford Taurus apparently rear-ended a Lynx bus at a bus stop in Orlando, Florida.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, six people on the bus were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 32-year-old driver of the Taurus was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

FHP estimates the Taurus was traveling around 35 mph when it smashed into the bus.
According to reports, the collision left the bus with minor damages.

Rear-end collisions can be devastating, resulting in head, brain and neck injuries that can cause temporary or permanent disabilities. While a rear-end collision may be the most common type of auto accident, the injuries you may suffer from one are anything but ordinary. Injuries from this type of accident could leave you unable to work, perform everyday functions such as turning your head or even sitting up straight and keep you from enjoying life.

Most rear-end collisions occur because the other driver was not paying attention, speeding, using their cell phone or driving recklessly. A distracted driver may take their eyes off the road for a myriad of reasons including changing a CD, text messaging, applying makeup and eating or drinking. Unfortunately, seconds are all it takes for a driver to be distracted and cause an accident, leaving you to suffer the consequences. If you were struck from behind due to another driver’s negligence, you may experience serious injuries such as:

• Whiplash

• Head and Neck Injuries

• Nerve Damage

• TBIs

• Scarring and Disfigurement

• Back Strains

• Arm and Hand Injuries

Recovering damages for the financial and physical impact of your injuries is absolutely necessary, especially if your injuries have resulted in medical complications. The Florida Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton understand that certain injuries may not develop right away and no signs indicating injury may be apparent for hours, days or even weeks following a rear-end collision. For this reason alone, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately after you have been involved in an accident. A doctor can provide you with a full medical evaluation to determine the extent of your injuries and the medical care needed now and in the future, which can help you recover the full and fair compensation you are entitled to.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Distracted Driving , Florida , Rear-End Collision

January, 2012

Florida Auto Accident & Wrongful Death Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Jury Finds Woman Guilty of Vehicular Homicide in Crash that Killed Triplet

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A Hudson, Florida woman accused of running down a group of young girls and killing one of them was found guilty by a jury Wednesday of vehicular homicide, culpable negligence manslaughter and reckless driving.

The woman exited her front yard on November 5, 2010 enraged after an argument with her supposed boyfriend and lost control of her Jeep.

She apparently hit a mail box and slammed her vehicle into a group of girl’s playing in a neighbor’s yard. The group included 5-year-old triplets and their 10-year-old sister.

One of the triplets later died and another was seriously injured. The other two girls survived with minor scrapes and bruises.

The woman testified in court Tuesday that she backed the Jeep out of the yard and does not remember any of the events that followed. However, medical experts took the stand and challenged her statements, claiming she showed no signs of problems that may cause blackouts.

The prosecution claims the woman’s Jeep was unfit to drive and the driver’s side door was broken and was held together by a bungee cord.

The woman apparently sped away in such a hurry she forgot to put the bungee cord on and was trying to prevent the door from opening with her arm when she lost control of the vehicle.

Investigators claim she was traveling about 5 miles over the 30 mile per hour speed limit.

Most car accidents are caused by a form of driver distraction, which is exactly what happened in this case. It only takes one irresponsible driver to cause a catastrophic collision that can result in serious personal injuries or wrongful death. Florida law states that if you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries or loss of life due to a negligent driver, you may be awarded financial compensation for your pain and suffering.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,547 people lost their lives in 2009 due to a car accident involving a distracted driver. Another 448,000 were injured. Likewise, 16 percent of fatal accidents occurring in 2009 involved a distracted driver and another 20 percent of accidents resulting in injury involved a reckless motorist.

Driving is an inherently dangerous activity. However, the possibility to harm another is increased when distracted or negligent drivers take the wheel and ignore the safety of others. Motorists that practice unsafe driving habits must be held responsible for their actions. When a driver’s thoughtless behavior causes another person’s injury or death, they could be held liable for damages including reimbursement for medical bills, property repairs, disability, loss of income, mental anguish and pain and suffering. After a car wreck, it is tremendously important to contact the Florida Auto Accident Attorneys to discuss the events surrounding the collision as generally there is a narrow amount of time in which one can proceed with a lawsuit.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Distracted Driving , Pasco County , Wrongful Death

December, 2011

Distracted Driving Wrongful Death Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Woman Changing CD in Car Could Be Blamed for Deadly Collision

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Florida Highway Patrol officials believe a West Palm Beach, Florida woman who supposedly changed a CD in her car while driving on Florida’s Turnpike Monday afternoon caused a collision that killed a 63-year-old Riviera Beach woman.

The 55-year-old West Palm Beach woman allegedly told troopers she was changing a CD in her car’s CD player when the accident occurred near Kissimmee. The woman’s car apparently drifted and struck the other woman’s SUV, causing it to roll over.

The Riviera Beach woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She was carrying two passengers in her SUV that suffered minor injuries.

FHP has not made it clear if the woman accused of distracted driving will be charged.

Florida distracted driving wrongful death automobile accidents are caused frequently by the following:

• Toying with a CD player, MP3 player, iPod or any other type of device that plays music

• Using a cell phone to call or text someone

• Eating and drinking

• Fiddling with knobs on the radio

• Applying make-up

• Reading maps or directions

• Talking to passengers

• Accessing a navigation system

• Watching television or videos

Auto Accidents can be caused by any distraction that takes the driver’s attention off the road.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the three main types of driver distraction have been identified as visual, manual and cognitive. Visual distractions cause a driver’s eyes to wonder away from their first priority – the road. Manual distractions happen when a driver takes their hands off of the wheel to engage in some other type of activity. Lastly, cognitive distractions occur when a motorist loses mental focus on what they are doing.

Some driver distractions, like changing a CD while driving, involve all three elements. A person must visually identify the correct CD, manually grab it and insert it into the CD player and press play. As all these actions are carried out, a driver’s eyes leave the road, their hands are removed from the steering wheel and their mind is coordinating the proper actions. The end result can be a fatal disaster.

If your loved one was the victim of wrongful death, the Florida Distracted Driving Attorneys can analyze every piece of information regarding the accident and apply that knowledge towards increasing compensation opportunities for medical bills, property repairs, disability, loss of income and pain and suffering. There is a narrow amount of time to proceed with a lawsuit following an accident, so it is best to contact Whittel & Melton immediately after an accident has occurred.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving Wrongful Death Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Woman Changing CD in Car Could Be Blamed for Deadly Collision" »

Posted by Whittel & Melton, LLC | | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Distracted Driving , Wrongful Death

Jason M. Melton

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