Hernando County

January 13, 2012

Hernando County Car Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Over-Correction Causes Two Deaths in Spring Hill Rollover Accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Weeki Wachee, Florida man, 56, died Tuesday night in Spring Hill after the vehicle he was riding in exited the road and flipped into a canal filled with water. He was taken to Oak Hill Hospital where he died shortly after.

The driver, a 72-year-old Michigan woman died from her injuries after being transported to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

A six-year-old passenger from Weeki Wachee was taken to Spring Hill Regional Hospital suffering from minor injuries.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 7 p.m. The driver was supposedly traveling northbound when she overcorrected as she navigated onto the east shoulder of the road, crossed into the south lane and landed in the canal. The vehicle supposedly flipped and was submerged in water.

Unfortunately, overcorrection and other driving errors can lead to catastrophic Florida car accidents that can cause deaths or serious injuries. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, overcorrecting contributed to nine deaths and 84 injuries in 2010. Drivers of SUV’s are the most susceptible to overcorrecting which can lead to a rollover accident or head-on collisions, but essentially this driving error can happen to anyone. Most rollover accidents occur when motorists overcorrect their steering as a panic reaction to an emergency, which often results in loss of control of the vehicle. When a driver’s tires drift off the road onto the shoulder or grass, it is many motorists instinctive response to panic and jerk the wheel the opposite way. However, this can cause the vehicle to collide with oncoming traffic, stationary objects or overturn.

Sometimes accidents cannot be avoided, but sometimes knowing proper maneuvering techniques on the road can eliminate driver error, like overcorrecting. If your vehicle drifts off the roadway, it is best to remain calm and refrain from jerking your vehicle back onto the road. Rather, it is optimal to slow your car down gradually and once a safe speed is maintained, then it is secure to guide your vehicle back onto the road.

When you or a loved one has been injured in an accident as a result of another motorist’s mistake, the aftereffects can be irritating and overwhelming. As soon as you have been involved in an accident it is important to contact a Rollover Accident Attorney to start investigating the facts surrounding your claim. At Whittel & Melton, we can help you recover the fair and full compensation you deserve.

July 26, 2010

Florida ATV Injury Lawyer Jason Melton discusses Hernando County ATV Crash that Kills One and Injures Seven

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

In a tragic turn of events, just west of the Sumter – Hernando County line near US Hwy 301, one person is dead and seven are injured. As reported by the Hernando Today, the driver of an all-terrain vehicle crashed into an SUV just prior to 10:30 p.m. this past Saturday evening.

ATV accidents are unfortunately an area that Florida Personal Injury lawyers are all to familiar with, as often times, accidents involving ATV’s involve major injuries and often times death.

Due to the limited safety apparatus’ involved in the use of ATV’s and quite simply, the relatively minor age of the drivers, mistakes are compounded and injuries are far more severe than auto accidents.

Generally speaking, ATV’s can be covered by one’s existing auto insurance coverage. However, it is not uncommon for an Auto Insurance Carrier to create exclusions in their standard auto insurance policy for accidents just like this.

Should the passengers of the SUV be looking for insurance monies to cover medical bills, it is a bit more complicated. The SUV was carrying six (6) passengers. In an accident like this, it will be important for the injured persons of the SUV to look not only to the insurance policy, if any, of the ATV, but also if there exists any Under-Insured or Un-Insured Motorists (UM) Coverage by the driver of the SUV and lastly if the passenger themselves (or parents in some cases) have UM coverage.

August 27, 2009

Hernando Car Accident Attorney Report :: Florida Highway Patrol cites more than 1,000 red light violations

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

This week, the Florida Highway Patrol announced the results of the law enforcement initiative that focused on drivers who run red lights. FHP participated in the National Stop On Red Week, and troopers issued 1,190 red light citations along with other citations for poor driving behavior–such as speeding and failure to wear a safety belt.

Last year, red light running in Florida led to 76 fatalities and 7,100 car accidents where property or people were injured. According to the FHP, the leading excuse offered by drivers for running a red light is “being in a hurry.”

If you have been injured in a Hernando County car accident, you need an experienced attorney to fight for your rights. The attorneys at Whittel & Melton, LLC seek a fair settlement in every case we handle, and build every case with an eye toward trial so that when drivers–and the insurance companies that represent drivers–do not make a fair settlement offer, we can fight for you in court. If you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident, contact us online or call 1-866-608-5529.

July 27, 2009

Spring Hill Car Accident Attorney news update :: One upside of bad economy may be fewer traffic deaths

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to TampaBay.com, Florida’s roads are the safest they have been in years, and some credit this trend to the bad economy.

The state’s traffic deaths dropped in 2008 to their lowest level in eight years, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In addition, traffic fatalities dropped 7 percent from 3,221 deaths in 2007 to 2,983 in 2008. And it was the first time traffic deaths have dropped below 3,000 since 2000.

Experts say that these trends are attributable to people cutting back on travel, entertainment and gas. People aren’t having that extra drink that could cause them to drive impaired or they are not going out to eat at all. Many people—an estimated 12 percent in Hernando County– no longer have a job to drive to everyday. All of these factors contribute to less cars on the road and less accidents.

However, according to the report, Hernando County Motorcycle injuries rose–specifically, motorcycle injuries went from 99 to 122, a 23 percent increase in 2008. Some experts attribute this to the poor economy also. To save gas, more people may be opting to ride motorcycles, rather than drive cars.

July 17, 2009

Hernando County Accident Laywer Update: Hernando County truck crash ends in tragedy

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a semitrailer truck rear-ended a Dodge van just south of State Road 50. The van crashed into the guardrail and caused the semi to overturn and catch fire. The southbound lanes were closed for about four hours after the accident.

The truck driver, who has not been identified, was killed in the crash. The driver of the car suffered only minor injuries in the collision.

If you have been hurt in a truck crash that was not your fault, you deserve to be fairly compensated. Whittel & Melton, LLC have handled many cases on behalf of Hernando County clients who were victims of tractor-trailer accidents. Our office is designed to see that our clients get fair compensation for their injuries. If you have been injured in a Hernando County truck accident please contact our office to schedule a free consultation.