Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Investigators claim the 45-year-old victim was impaired and had marijuana in his system when he crossed a street around 4:20 a.m. Feb. 19 apparently wearing dark clothing.
It was also determined that the officer was speeding in his marked police cruiser when the accident occurred. Police estimate the man was traveling at a speed of 61 mph in a 40 mph area.
He has a traffic court appearance scheduled for May 24.
The police officer has been with the department since October 2010. An internal affairs investigation is under way and the man has been placed on administrative leave.
The victim, who the report claims had a blood alcohol content of 0.136, became a quadriplegic in the 1980s after a car crash.
Operating a motor vehicle of any kind requires one’s total attention, awareness and motor skills. Someone driving off-road, speeding, racing, using a cell phone or not paying attention to traffic lights and stop signs can cause potentially devastating injuries to other drivers or people near the road. Unfortunately, reckless or careless drivers do not always admit they are to blame. Likewise, insurance companies can be hesitant to pay claims, even when liability is obvious. If you or a loved one was injured due to someone else’s careless driving, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. To receive the best opportunity in pursuing the full and fair compensation you deserve for physical, emotional and financial injuries, it is essential to speak to the Florida Car Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton.
Injuries sustained from careless or negligent driving accidents depend on the severity of the collision. In accidents occurring at lower speeds, soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, cuts lacerations and bruising are common. Following a negligent driving incident, a person may also suffer sprains, strains and connective tissue injuries. Head, neck, back and brain injuries are often the result of inattentive driving accidents occurring at higher speeds. In addition, very catastrophic and debilitating injuries resulting in loss of limbs, amputation, paralysis and wrongful death can be experienced in a careless driving accident.
At Whittel & Melton, our team of personal injury attorneys works with the most qualified accident reconstructionists available. By contacting us immediately, we can get to the accident site and gather crucial evidence, fully examine the scene and obtain any witness testimony. Our thorough examination and close analysis of the facts can make the difference in your case.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a careless or reckless driving accident anywhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Car Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton online or dial our Pinellas County office at 727-847-2299 or reach us statewide and toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).