Distracted Driving

May 23, 2014

Florida Auto Accident Injury Lawyer :: Car Crashes Increase over Memorial Day, Stay Safe on Florida’s Roadways

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Memorial Day weekend is finally here and many of you will be setting out to enjoy the official start of summer with our state’s numerous recreational possibilities. With that said, it is estimated that close to 34 million people will be hitting the road over the long holiday weekend and traveling at least 50 miles from home. Whether you are staying local or making a trek to a family member or friend’s home, the Florida Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton urge you to drive safely and exercise caution this holiday weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be a time for remembrance and celebration. Whatever type of activity you choose to partake in this weekend, we urge you to do so responsibly. Make sure if you are driving to always pay attention, look out for any roadside construction and always see to it that everyone in your vehicle is buckled up. Remember, if you are going to be drinking at any point during the holiday weekend, just be sure to have a designated driver set in place.

According to AAA, the amount of motorists travelling on the roadways this Memorial Day weekend will be at a 10 year high. Dating back to past Memorial Day weekends, statistics show that there is an increase of more than ten percent in motor vehicle accidents vs. other holiday weekends.

You can help exercise safety this Memorial Day weekend just by brushing up on a few safety steps:

Always give yourself enough time to get from Point A to Point B.
Follow all posted speed limits.
Limit Driver Distractions.
Make sure everyone, including those in the back seat, is wearing their seat belt.
Do not drink and drive. In fact, make sure you have a designated driver assigned before you start drinking so that you are not tempted to drive after consuming alcoholic beverages.

April 16, 2014

Martin County Hit-and-Run Suspect was Texting While Driving when he Struck Motorcyclist

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A hit-and-run crash in Stuart on Monday that left a motorcyclist hospitalized is the result of a texting driver, according to police.

The suspect, a 29-year-old man, was texting while driving when he struck the motorcyclist and fled the scene.

A citizen driving near the intersection of Indian Road and Willoughby Boulevard in Stuart on Monday reported the incident to police when he noticed the man hit the biker and failed to stop.

The 911 operator confirmed the location of the citizen and police arrived a short time later and arrested the man. According to Martin County police, the man admitted that he was texting while driving and thought he had killed the motorcyclist.

The suspect was arrested and faces several charges. The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, is still recovering in the hospital.

This is the county’s first texting-and-driving case, according to reports.

Texting has become a very popular means of communication between friends and family. However, texting while driving is not only dangerous to other drivers, but to everyone else sharing the roadway. There are a growing number of auto accidents in Florida and throughout the United States that are caused by texting drivers. If you were involved in a car accident that was caused by a driver who was texting or talking on a cell phone, it is in your best interest to speak with an injury lawyer who can help you proceed with a personal injury lawsuit. A Florida Auto Accident Injury Lawyer can advise you of your rights as a victim and help you file a claim to recover damages for your injuries.

There are many expenses that are involved in a Florida car accident. The at-fault driver whose negligence caused your injuries should be held responsible for your suffering. By filing a personal injury claim you can get the money you need to pay for:

Repairs to your Automobile
Hospital Bills
Ambulance Fees
Lost Wages
Physical Therapy
Psychological Therapy
All Other Accident-Related Damages

April 7, 2014

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Distracted driving is a widespread problem throughout the United States. According to the official U.S. government website for distracted driving – www.distraction.gov, 3,328 people alone were killed in distracted driving auto accidents in 2012 and another 421,000 people were injured.

Distracted driving is any activity or behavior that takes a person’s attention away from operating a vehicle safely. Distractions not only endanger those behind the wheel, but passengers, other motorists sharing the roadway and innocent bystanders as well. The following are all various distractions that can divert a motorist’s attention away from the primary task of driving:

Texting
Talking on a cell phone
Drinking and Eating
Talking to other Passengers
Applying Makeup, Brushing Hair and all other forms of Personal Grooming
Reading Directions, including Maps
Using GPS or a Navigation System
Adjusting Radio Dials or Playing with CD Players, iPods or MP3 Players
Watching Movies or TV

The most dangerous distracted driving activity is text messaging, as it demands visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver. According to the 2011 National Occupant Protection Use Survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any moment across the country an estimated 660,000 motorists are using cell phones or operating electronic devices behind the wheel. This number has only increased since 2010, and the survey goes on to show that when operating a vehicle, 1 in 2 drivers answer incoming calls, 1 in 4 drivers make outgoing calls, 3 in 5 teen drivers answer phone calls, 1 in 3 teen drivers make phone calls and 2 in 5 teen drivers regularly use their hand-held cell phones or smart phones. Sadly, thousands of people die every year due to negligent distracted drivers.

Because April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, our Florida Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton want to encourage everyone to put their cell phones and all other electronic devices away when behind the wheel. Sending and receiving text messages while driving is very dangerous, but regardless many people still choose to do so. In fact, when you send or receive a text message, this activity takes your eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds which is the same as driving the length of an entire football field at 55 mph, blind. We urge you to remember these facts and statistics every time you get into a vehicle.

May 28, 2013

Florida Car Accident Injury Lawyer :: Put your Cell Phones Away – It is Now Illegal to Text & Drive in the State of Florida

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Gov. Rick Scott has made it official: texting and driving is now illegal in the state of Florida.

On Tuesday, May 28, Scott traveled to Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School in Miami, where a press conference was held to sign a bill passed by the Florida Legislature that bans texting while driving.

Florida joins 39 other states in supporting what is known often as Distracted Driving laws. Washington was the first state to issue a texting while driving ban in 2007, and has since been joined by other states in recent years, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For most states, the bans are a primary enforcement offense, which means highway law enforcement patrols can pull a motorist over simply for texting while driving. However, in Florida, texting while driving is a secondary offense, meaning an officer cannot stop a motorist just for texting while driving. In Florida, texting while driving is classified as a nonmoving violation, with a fine of $30.

The Florida law prohibits any person from manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols or other characters into a wireless communications device while behind the wheel of a car. This includes sending text messages, emailing and instant messaging through smart phones.

Scott announced that he is deeply concerned about the number of motorist’s texting while driving. This concern is what prompted him to get the bill signed before the busy summer driving season begins.

The measure was co-sponsored Sen. Nancy C. Detert, R-Venice, and State Rep. Doug Holder, R-Osprey.

February 21, 2012

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

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

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.

January 27, 2012

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

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

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.

December 5, 2011

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

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

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.