Wrongful Death

February 4, 2019

Driver Killed in Head-On Collision in Hernando County

A driver was killed in a head-on collision on SR-589 in Hernando County early Sunday morning.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a GMC pickup was traveling the wrong way in the northbound lanes of SR-598 and collided head-on with a Mini Cooper just north of County Line Road at about 1:45 a.m.

Troopers said there was heavy fog in the area.

According to the report, the crash caused the Mini Cooper to erupt in flames.

The crash closed the northbound lanes of SR-589 for several hours.

The 39-year-old river of the Mini Cooper was pronounced dead on scene.

Troopers said the driver of the GMC is suspected of being impaired and was transported to an area hospital.

According to the report, charges are pending.

When drivers are impaired by drugs or alcohol, serious accidents can result. Head-on collisions are some of the most deadly, often resulting in catastrophic injuries such as brain injuries or even wrongful death. If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a preventable crash, it is important to consider your legal options.

While nothing can bring your loved one back, it is important to remember that you have legal rights that you need to protect as soon as possible. Our Hernando County Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can look into who is responsible for the accident and fight to recover full and fair compensation on your behalf. These issues are hard to face, but we can advocate on your behalf, so that you do not have to deal with any additional stress. We want to make sure you are protected both now and in the future.

December 27, 2018

3 Injured in Wrong-Way Crash in Hernando County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Three people were seriously injured in an overnight wrong-way crash.

The collision occurred just before 10 p.m. Thursday.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a man driving a Honda Civic was traveling in the wrong direction along State Road 589 in Hernando County.

His vehicle crashed into an oncoming car.

The two people in that car are listed in serious condition.

The driver was listed in critical condition.

FHP said alcohol was a factor in the crash and that charges are pending.

A study by the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles found Florida had 1,490 wrong-way crashes and 96 fatalities in 2015. According to the report, three Tampa Bay counties made the top 10 list of most wrong-way driving crashes in the state: Hillsborough was fourth, Pinellas was sixth and Pasco was eighth.

December 3, 2018

Spring Hill High School Senior Killed in Motorcycle Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 17-year-old Springstead student lost his life Tuesday morning after a motorcycle crash.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Mariner and Northcliffe Boulevard in Spring Hill.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the teen was riding his motorcycle Tuesday morning when he failed to stop for a red light at this intersection. He then reportedly collided with a driver with a green left turn arrow.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 5,000 people were killed on motorcycles in 2017. In 2016, 5,286 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in the U.S. Another 88,000 motorcyclists were injured. With that said, motorcycles are much riskier than cars. Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to be killed in a crash than drivers and passengers in cars.

Our Hernando County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton won’t sugar coat it – riding a motorcycle is dangerous, there’s no hiding that. You only have your helmet, gloves, gear, and defensive driving skills to truly protect you. In the event of a collision, that’s not enough to keep you from being injured, or worse, killed.

Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include the following:

Broken bones
Head injuries
Neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Brain injuries
Road rash
Internal bleeding

November 21, 2018

Hernando County Injury Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Thanksgiving is One of the Deadliest Days on the Road

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Thanksgiving is one of the deadliest days for drivers. Statistics show that there is an average of 258 fatal accidents every year during this family holiday.

Our Hernando County Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have compiled a list of tips to help you avoid a driving tragedy on Thanksgiving:

Don’t Drive Drunk: If you plan on drinking, ask a sober friend or family member for a ride. You can even use a taxi or ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft. Drunk driving is particularly more common the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which is called “Black Wednesday,” so whatever you do, never drink and drive.

Drive during the day: Most tragic accidents happen in the evening, so try to drive during the day instead. This will make it easier to see the road and other vehicles.

Have an emergency kit on hand: Your car should be stocked with an emergency kit that includes items like safety triangles or squares. If your car breaks down or you are involved in an accident, having an emergency kit can be a major lifesaver and even help other drivers see you if you cannot move your car from the road.

Fly instead of drive: A road trip might sound like fun, but the more people on the road means the greater the chance of an accident. If you can afford it, skip the long road trip and buy a plane ticket or take a train.

October 15, 2018

Brooksville Motorcycle Crash Leaves 1 Dead, Another Seriously Injured

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in Brooksville where troopers believe a motorcyclist ran a red light.

The crash occurred just after 10 p.m. at Cortez Boulevard and Cobb Road.

According to the report, the motorcycle turned left at the intersection “under a red traffic signal” and traveled into the path of a Chevy Cruze. The two vehicles collided causing the occupants of the motorcycle to be thrown from the bike.

The driver of the motorcycle, a 35-year-old male, was killed in the crash and the female passenger was critically injured.

The crash remains under investigation.

Regardless of what type of motorcycle accident you were injured in, whether it was at an intersection or on the highway, it is a good idea to speak with a Hernando County Motorcycle Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible about your case. Motorcycle accidents can wreak havoc on injury victims, leaving them in the hospital and out of work for an extended length of time. In the worst cases, motorcycle crashes can result in death to the driver and any passengers. As a founder of the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers (NAMIL), our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys can stay on top of official investigative details and deal with the insurance companies while you work towards recovering.

August 30, 2018

Hernando County Auto Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton Want You to Avoid an Accident on Your Labor Day Road Trip

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Labor Day weekend is a popular time for a family road trip, and because of the long weekend, more people will be travelling. More vehicles on the road means an increased chance for fatal accidents. Our Hernando County Auto Accident Attorneys want you to remember these safety tips to avoid an auto accident on your road trip this Labor Day weekend.

Get your car checked before heading out. Make sure your vehicle’s tires, fluids, and brakes are checked for any problems. By addressing an issue before you get on the road, you can prevent some setbacks like a flat tire or engine failure.
Avoid distractions while driving. Never text or talk on the phone while driving. Keep any distractions that could take your eyes off the road at bay. Distracted driving can result in terrible tragedies on the road.
Take breaks when needed. Driving fatigued can be just as dangerous as driving distracted. If you are taking a long road trip for Labor Day weekend, make stops as needed to rest, eat and stretch. If you are too tired to continue, stop for the night and get some sleep.
Always obey the rules of the road. Follow the posted speed limits as driving too fast or too slow could result in an accident. Keep an eye out for construction zones and their applicable speed limits.

July 13, 2018

Slower Boating Speeds Added On Hernando Beach

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

With more people heading out on the Gulf for scalloping season, new speed zones have been implemented.

Now the area is an idle speed/no wake zone. It’s something Hernando County has been working on for over a year and having to work with the state for the permitting to make it happen.

One of the big issues in the area is blind corners where oncoming boaters can’t see the traffic coming from the other side.

Some boaters have run ashore here since the channel is so close to the shore line and it can get pretty shallow.

A person can be ticketed if you go too fast in an idle speed zone. Those tickets cost around $73.

It is important to remember that the water is inherently dangerous, and when boating accidents occur, the aftermath can be severe. Sadly, serious injuries and drowning are all too common when boating, and it can be a difficult process for victims to recover financial compensation for their losses without the help of our Hernando County Boating Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton.

Boating accidents can happen for numerous reasons, but the most common are:

Collisions with another boat
Collisions with a stationary or submerged object
Equipment Failure
Operator Error
Speeding
Ignoring safety rules

One of the biggest issues surrounding boating accidents is that they can involve a wide variety of factors. Discovering exactly what happened and determining who is at fault can be a daunting task. However, our experienced boating accident lawyers know how to investigate these accidents to find out who is liable.

July 2, 2018

Hernando County Injury Attorneys :: Stay Safe On The Fourth

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Our Hernando County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton want to wish you and your family a happy Fourth of July. We also want to remind you to celebrate safely this Wednesday and throughout the rest of the week. Whether you and your loved ones are planning backyard pool parties, barbecues, or heading to a fireworks show, safety should always be a priority, especially if children are around.

Here are a few tips to help you stay safe this Fourth of July:

Fireworks

While fireworks are a tradition on July 4th, they are also responsible for sending an average of 230 people to the emergency room each day during the month around the holiday, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We always encourage you to attend shows put on by professionals, but we know that some people are just going to light their own. If you plan on using fireworks, be sure to do so safely, follow instructions, keep spectators at a safe distance, and monitor children closely. You want to comply with Florida laws, so please review: Under Florida law, only sparklers, approved by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, are legal for consumer usage. It is illegal to use exploding and/or flying fireworks in Florida, which include: shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets and firecrackers.

Swimming Pools

Pool parties are common on Fourth of July, so it makes sense to remind you to always supervise children, watch for diving into shallow water, excessive horseplay that can get out of hand, and running near pools. Drowning accidents can and do happen all too often, but by keeping a vigilant eye of the premises, you can prevent these tragedies.

BBQs

Most people pull out their grills on the Fourth. Always be careful of handling propane and charcoal grills, never grill indoors, and be careful when using lighter fluid to avoid preventable burn injuries. Keep children, pets and flammable materials away from grills and never leave them unattended.

DUIs

Most people throw a few drinks back on the Fourth. If you plan on drinking, remember to do so responsibly and to designate a sober driver if you need to get home. The Fourth of July week/weekend sees high rates of alcohol-related auto accidents, so expect to see increased patrols on the roads.

June 25, 2018

Small ALFs in Hernando County Struggling to Comply with Emergency Generator Rule for Start of Hurricane Season

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Last year 14 elderly people died due to overheated conditions in a Hollywood, Florida nursing home after the air conditioning failed during hurricane Irma.

Acting quickly to avoid a similar tragedy, Governor Rick Scott signed an Emergency Rule, that mandated that nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) have generators installed for the purpose of running climate control systems that will maintain temperatures below 80 degrees during a power outage by June 1 – the official start of hurricane season.

Many Hernando County ALFs have not had enough time to implement these new requirements.

Failure to comply with the emergency rules will result in penalties including fines up to $1,000 per day and the possible revocation of a facility’s license.

As of June 15, 524 nursing homes and 1,027 ALFS filed extensions to complete these requirements.

Obtaining an extension means that the facilities are still in compliance with the law, despite not having the backup power fully in place or not inspected.

Facilities that have filed extensions must have plans that include:

Bringing a temporary generator onsite during power outages
Contracting for priority fuel replenishment during a power outage
Moving residents to common areas that can be cooled with an existing generator
Evacuation if needed

For the entire state of Florida, AHCA data shows 100 percent compliance among all 684 statewide nursing homes. And 1,722 out of the state’s 3,097 ALFs have met the mandate’s requirements, for a 55.60 percent compliance rate.

Nursing home and ALF residents are at high risk during natural disasters, so it is important that our laws protect them rather than hurt them. Nursing home and ALF regulations are enacted for very good reasons, but the sad truth is that they are often neglected. A disregard for residents and neglect of the rules and regulations can often times lead to a nursing home abuse lawsuit.

May 31, 2018

Toddler Hospitalized After Dog Bite

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 16-month-old was taken to a trauma center after being bitten in the head by a dog.

The incident happened just before 2 p.m. on May 21, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The child was playing with the dog under the supervision of the child’s mother.

The owner said the dog “did not appear to maliciously attack the child, but rather, appeared to be playing.”

The family adopted the dog from Hernando County Animal Services about two months ago.

Deputies are still investigating.

Dogs are thought of as household pets, so this may come as a surprise, but dogs have been the cause of over four million animal bites every year. Many of these cases involve attacks on small children which can leave the child with both permanent physical and emotional scarring. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, it is important that you speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our Hernando County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can review your claim and work towards recovering the financial compensation you need for your injuries.