Bus Accident

August 17, 2021

Back to School Driver Safety Tips | Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

With back to school season here it is important to address the driving challenges this brings, such as more congestion near schools and in neighborhoods, more yellow school buses on the roadways, more kids and parents walking, and just the added need to exercise a bit more caution. New teen drivers hitting the road to drive themselves to school are an additional safety hazard. Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for teens. The CDC estimates that 2,400 teens in the United States between the ages of 13 and 19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 and another 258,000 needed to be treated for their injuries at the emergency room.

Special attention this time of year is very necessary to prevent simple and avoidable accidents. Here are a few safety reminders from our Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton to keep you and your loved ones get safely back to school.

School Buses

January 28, 2020

Six Hospitalized Following Hit-And-Run Crash Involving Lynx Bus in Orlando

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Officials are searching for a driver who they believe fled the scene of a crash involving a stolen truck, a vehicle and a Lynx bus.

The Florida Highway Patrol Orlando said it is investigating a crash involving a Lynx bus.

Troopers said the accident happened Sunday afternoon near Texas Avenue and Honour Road when the driver of a Nissan pulled in front of a pickup truck and a bus along Texas Avenue.

A witness said a driver came toward her and other oncoming traffic to avoid the crash. The driver lost control and slammed into a wall, the witness said.

Officials said the crash was a hit-and-run, as the driver of the pickup truck fled the scene.

Two people from the Nissan and four other people were taken to the hospital for treatment. The severity of their injuries is not yet known.

FHP officials and deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are working to find the driver who fled the scene.

Many people use public transportation, such as Lynx buses as opposed to their own vehicles for numerous reasons like saving money on gas, convenience, and reduced emissions. Some transit riders simply prefer to relax and do other things rather than focus on driving their own car in traffic.

While it is true that you are more likely to be injured while driving your own vehicle than while riding on a bus or public transit, serious injuries and fatalities can and do happen when accidents occur involving buses, trains, light rail, and hired transport.

What Does Lynx Do after a Bus Accident?

You may be wondering what Lynx does after a bus accident occurs. The first thing Lynx representatives will do is have passengers complete forms. Any information you provide could be used against you during a lawsuit if it’s beneficial to Lynx. On that same note, anything that could help your case and points the blame on Lynx could go undiscovered.

After passengers complete these forms, Lynx will then try and get statements on the record from passengers involved in the bus accident. They will use professionals who have been trained to ask questions that could get you to answer in a way that is harmful to your potential case and beneficial to theirs. Because of this, our Florida Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton urge you to refrain from signing any forms or making any statements without an attorney present.

The last thing that Lynx will do after an accident happens is reach out with a settlement offer. Lynx representatives will reach out to the injured passengers or family members of a deceased person and likely give an offer way below what the case is actually worth. Before they disburse your settlement, they will ask you to sign a settlement agreement that waives your right to file suit against them. Again, our Florida Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton strongly recommend having a lawyer on your side who can advise you on how to proceed with your case for financial compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Lynx bus accident or a crash involving a taxi, Uber, or Lyft driver, our Florida Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you understand what steps to take next. We have the experience needed to help victims of transit accidents obtain the financial compensation they deserve for the injuries they have suffered. We help injury victims throughout the state of Florida who were harmed while aboard a hotel shuttle bus, theme park trolley, monorail, limousine, rental car, or any hired vehicle of any kind.

March 20, 2019

2 Killed After Charter Bus Travelling from Orlando to New York Overturns

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two people died after a charter bus that departed from from Orlando overturned on Interstate 95 in Virginia.

The Tao’s Travel Inc. bus traveling from Florida to New York had 57 people aboard when it rolled and ran off the left side of an Interstate 95 exit ramp in Prince George County about 5:22 a.m., according to authorities.

One person died at the scene, while another person died a couple of hours later.

The bus driver has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the crash.

The bus departed from Orlando, Florida, and stopped in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to switch drivers, police said. It was headed to New York City when it crashed.

Bus travel is a very popular mode of transportation. However, buses can pose a serious danger to passengers if they are not operated by trained, attentive employees and if the equipment is not properly maintained. If you have been involved in an accident with a charter bus, it is important to contact our Florida Injury & Wrongful Death Attorneys at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible.

Similar to truck drivers, bus drivers must have proper background checks and receive adequate training to provide safe travels for passengers. Many bus accidents are attributed to unsafe driver conditions, such as:

Driver negligence

Poor bus security
Operating on dangerous roads and interstates
Operating during dangerous weather conditions
Driving drunk or drugged
Fatigued driving
Inadequate maintenance of the bus and its equipment

When someone you love is injured or killed in an unexpected bus accident, you may be in shock and unsure of what to do next. You or your loved one may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages resulting from the bus accident. When death occurs, the responsible driver may also face criminal charges for wrongful death.

December 12, 2018

Guests Injured After 2 Disney Buses Crash at Epcot Parking Entrance

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

More than a dozen people were taken to a hospital after two Disney World buses crashed into each other Tuesday at the entrance to Epcot’s parking lot, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened just before 10 a.m. A Disney bus driven by a 21-year-old failed to stop and rear-ended a Disney bus driven by a 62-year-old near a tollbooth on Epcot Center Drive, according to an FHP report.

According to authorities, 51 passengers were on the bus that was hit. Fourteen were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police confirmed.

The driver of the bus that failed to stop was ticketed for careless driving, according to an FHP report.

Neither driver was injured.

When you are driving on any type of road, or riding as a passenger, you are trusting that everyone on the road will follow the laws and operate their vehicles with caution. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, drivers get careless with the way they maneuver their vehicles. Careless driver accidents can result in serious injuries and damage, possibly even wrongful death.

Once you have recovered from the shock and pain of your injuries, obtaining legal representation can help you financially recover after an auto accident caused by a reckless or careless driver. Seeking legal help from Whittel & Melton is one of the first steps to returning to your normal life after the accident. In preparation for your lawsuit, it is important to collect:

Information about the accident
Medical records and bills
Wage loss information
Pictures of injuries

May 22, 2017

Williston School Bus Crash Sends 13 Levy County Children To Hospital with Minor Injuries

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A school bus accident in Williston sent 13 students to Regional General Hospital with minor injuries Wednesday.

According to reports, Levy County school bus 0409 was stopped at a railroad crossing in the 800 block of East Noble Avenue shortly after 7:30 a.m. when the driver of a 2006 Dodge truck struck the bus from behind.

The driver of the Dodge truck was cited for following too closely, according to reports. The students on the bus attend Joyce Bullock Elementary and Williston Elementary schools.

As a parent, there is nothing scarier than finding out your child has been injured while getting to and/or from school on a school bus. When you send your children on a school bus, you trust that they will arrive at their intended destination safely. Even though school buses are widely considered to be the safest form of transportation for school children, the reality is that injuries on school buses can and do happen. If your child suffers an injury on a school bus, you may be entitled to financial compensation for any medical bills or other damages endured. After an accident like this, you should always contact a Levy County Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible to discuss a potential legal claim.

There are many complicated issues surrounding school bus accident cases and it is important to make sure you receive the maximum amount of compensation you deserve for your child’s losses. Losses/damages can include:

Medical bills
Pain and suffering
Disabilities
Loss of enjoyment of life

March 17, 2016

Bus Stop Pads Coming to Flagler County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The city of Palm Coast introduced plans Tuesday that will help protect students from getting hit by vehicles.

The Flagler county school district said five students have been hit this year, including one killed, while going to or from school.

The city says more than 5,000 students ride a bus to school.

On Tuesday, council members decided to put a pilot plan in place to install concrete bus stop pads where students will be able to stand.

The idea is to provide children with a place to wait that is off the street, adding a level of protection. When kids have no place to stand, they tend to roam around, run around, jump and play, which could easily lead to a collision with a moving vehicle.

The city will start with three bus stop pads at cost of between $800-$900 each. It also plans to add additional signs so drivers know it’s a bus stop.

While this certainly won’t solve all the problems with children and bus stop accidents, it’s a way to start. Many bus stops are along busy streets, and at certain times of the year, low-light conditions can make it harder for drivers to spot children who are in the road. Bus drivers may also have trouble seeing kids, especially when they unexpectedly move behind, under, or in front of the bus at a bus stop.

When waiting for the bus, children should be made aware of the following precautions:

Stay at least 10 feet back from the edge of the road.
Wait for the bus to stop completely before boarding.
After getting off the bus, wait for the bus driver to signal that it is OK to cross the street.
Use the handrail when entering or leaving the bus.
Never walk behind the bus.

August 4, 2015

This Week is National Stop on Red Week

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Since 2001, the first full week of August has been dedicated to National Stop on Red Week. This year, National Stop on Red Week is August 2-8. The purpose of this week is to promote safe driving practices, which include always stopping at a red light.

Red light running is a pretty big issue across the United States. In fact, red light running is the leading cause of urban car accidents. It may be surprising, but one out of every three people knows someone who was killed in a red light collision. Red light crashes are responsible for around 900 deaths and 165,000 injuries each year.

In 2013, the latest year for which complete information is currently available, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that:

Red light accidents resulted in 697 fatalities. Nearly half of the people killed were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists other than the one who ran the red light.
Another 127,000 people were injured in red light accidents.
Failing to stop for a red light, stop sign, or all other forms of traffic control is the most common type of crash in urban areas.

While running a red light may save you two minutes, stopping at a red light can actually save your life. Please join our Florida Auto Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton and do your part to stop Florida red light accidents. Here are a few tips to always remember when behind the wheel:

Always stop when the light is red, no matter what.
If you plan to turn right at an intersection where right turns are permitted at red lights, always stop and check for cars and pedestrians before making the turn.
If the light turns yellow while you are approaching an intersection, slow down and stop. Do not try and speed through the intersection in order to beat the red light.

October 9, 2014

International Walk to School Day: Watch Out for Pedestrians and Bicyclists!

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

October 8 is International Walk to School Day, a day when thousands of schools in the U.S. and in 40 countries strive to raise awareness about walking and bicycling to school. This day expresses the need for walkable communities throughout the world and encourages more children to walk to school.

This day urges the need to educate the public about pedestrian safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012, car accidents resulted in the death of a pedestrian every two hours and an injury every seven minutes. In this same year, 4,743 pedestrians were killed and approximately 76,000 were injured in car accidents.

The NHTSA defines a pedestrian as “a person on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting or lying down who is involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash.” With that said, every single person is a pedestrian on a regular basis, whether it is a young child walking to school or an adult walking across a shopping mall parking lot. Our Florida Car Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton work with families every day who have had their lives turned upside down because of a negligent driver who failed to pay attention to a biker or pedestrian sharing the roadway. Injuries to pedestrians struck by cars can vary from cuts, bruises and scrapes to broken bones, spinal cord trauma and death.

Children under the age of 16 accounted for 6 percent of pedestrian deaths and 18 percent of pedestrian injuries caused by car accidents in 2012. In that same time period, pedestrians age 65 and older made up 20 percent of pedestrian deaths and 9 percent of pedestrian injuries as a result of auto accidents.

Motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians can be truly devastating. The NHTSA urges everyone to follow the below safety tips when walking or driving.

Pedestrians should always:

Walk on sidewalks when possible.
Make sure that electronic devices do not interfere with sight or sound.
Attempt to make eye contact with drivers as they approach, or make sure they are visible to drivers.
Cross streets at intersections and crosswalks and walk facing traffic as drivers expect pedestrians to do these things.
If there are no crosswalks, cross streets where there is good visibility so that you can be seen clearly by other drivers.
Stay away from places where pedestrians are prohibited, like freeways and restricted-access highways.
Wear bright or reflective clothing at night.
Avoid walking while intoxicated at any time.

Drivers should always:

Keep an eye out for pedestrians, even in unexpected places.
Be extra cautious when visibility is limited by inclement weather.
Be prepared to stop at crosswalks and intersections.
Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
Refrain from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Follow the designated speed limit, especially in areas with pedestrians.
Observe reduced speed limits near schools, playgrounds and all other areas where children are known to gather.

October 2, 2014

10 Injured after Semi Smashes into School Bus

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Bradford County school bus carrying 15 elementary school students was rear-ended by a big rig Monday afternoon near the intersection of U.S. 301 and State Road 201A in Lawtey.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, there were 10 people transported to area hospitals – the 35-year-old driver of the log-hauling big rig and his female passenger were taken to Shands in Gainesville with critical injuries, and seven children and the bus driver were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities believe the most serious injury among the children was a leg injury.

According to the sheriff’s office, the woman in the semi was not wearing any clothes. Troopers gave her a towel to cover up in front of the children.

Witnesses claim the semi was travelling at 60 mph when it slammed into the bus, which investigators said had its crossing arms out and lights flashing.

The crash happened on U.S. 301 near Northwest 183rd Street at about 2:45 p.m. As the school bus was coming to a stop, it was struck from behind by the semi, which is owned and operated by Mo’s Trucking out of Palatka.

The Sheriff’s Office said the bus driver saw the semi coming in the rear-view mirror and sped up, which possibly minimized the impact. If the bus had been stopped to unload students, the crash could have been tragic.

Witnesses claim the truck driver never hit the brakes, as he plowed into the back of the bus and pushed it more than 50 yards into a ditch.

The FHP said dispatchers received a call about a reckless driver in a tractor-trailer on U.S. 301 before the crash occurred. However, before they could catch up with the vehicle, the state patrol and local Sheriff’s Office received a call about the crash.

FHP said charges are pending. They do not have any indication that alcohol or drugs were a factor, but said speed and/or distracted driving could have played a role.

Records indicate that the driver of the semi has several previous driving citations. He had his license suspended in 2011 when his insurance was canceled, and it was suspended in 2013 for failure to pay a fine.

He was cited with driving with a suspended license in 2007 and in 2011, speeding in 2011, operating motor vehicle in unsafe condition in 2012 and a tag violation in 2013.

Accidents involving school buses can be quite traumatic. While we do not generally hear about these accidents happening frequently, they do occur, and probably more often than you think. There are an estimated 585,000 school buses operating in the United States right now. School bus accidents result in a reported 17,000 visits to emergency rooms every year.

If you have been the victim of a school bus accident that involved a semi truck, there are things you can do to obtain financial compensation for injuries and damages. In many of these accidents, truck drivers are not insured, which can create additional problems for victims, since the person responsible for the accident cannot pay for the damages. When this unfortunate scenario happens to you, you need to contact a Florida Truck Accident Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton. We can help you understand all of your legal options and assist you with pursuing a legal claim against the truck driver and/or trucking company in order to recover damages.

August 5, 2014

GM Slapped with Another Lawsuit

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

General Motors was hit last week with another lawsuit brought on by more than 650 people who were allegedly injured or killed in accidents involving cars that have been recalled this year for faulty ignition switches.

The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court by a Texas-based attorney. Dozens of cases against GM over the switch recall have been consolidated in Manhattan federal courts.

The suit names a total of 658 plaintiffs, including 29 who are bringing claims on behalf of people who died.