Dade City

May 22, 2019

National Boating Safety Week is Underway: Tips to Be Safe on Pasco County Waterways

With summer approaching, National Safe Boating Week is here to encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the best practices for a safe boating experience.

The 7-day period before Memorial Day weekend is “National Safe Boating Week,” and runs from May 18 through May 24, 2019.

In 2017, the Coast Guard recorded 4,291 recreational boating accidents that contributed to 658 fatalities and roughly $46 million in losses. Drowning is the leading cause of death in 76 percent of boating fatalities, and about 85% of those victims were not wearing a life jacket. Life jackets are designed to keep you afloat following an accident and save thousands of lives every year.

Here is a breakdown of Florida life jacket laws:

All recreational vessels must have at least one personal flotation device (PFD) that is U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved and of the proper size for each person on boat
Vessels 16 feet or longer must have one “throwable” Type IV PFD which is USCG approved and immediately available
Children under six years old must wear a USCG approved life jacket at all times on any vessel less than 26 feet in length that is underway in Florida waters
Children under 13 years of age on vessels operating on waters outside the geographical boundaries of Florida must wear a USCG approved PFD unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin
Each person on a personal watercraft (PWC), such as a Waverunner or Jet Ski, must wear a USCG approved life jacket

The following are a few boating safety tips our Pasco County Boating Accident Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have compiled:

Wear a life jacket that is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. We encourage you to check life jackets here: safeboatingcampaign.com
Know local and state boating laws
Consider taking a Florida Boating Safety Course before getting out on the water
Make sure your vessel is properly prepared before heading out on an excursion
Schedule a Vessel Safety Check with the U.S. Coast guard
Prepare a U.S. Coast Guard Float Plan. You can check that out here: http://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/
Always have a communication device ready
Do not drink and operate a boat
Follow all navigation rules

May 2, 2019

3 Students Suffer Minor Injuries in Hudson School Bus Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A school bus crash in Pasco County Wednesday morning left multiple people with injuries, including three children.

According to Pasco County Fire Rescue, the crash happened just after 7 a.m. at Kitten Trail at Oakwood Lane in Hudson.

A vehicle collided almost head on with the school bus.

The driver of the small car was extracted and transported as a trauma alert.

There were three students on the bus that suffered minor injuries. All students refused transport and were released to parents.

The driver of the bus was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

When a crash involves a car or truck colliding with a school bus, the injuries can be quite serious as many school buses are not required to have seat belts to protect students in the event of an accident. If your child was injured in an accident where another car hit a school bus, you may be able to recover financial compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You could receive compensation for your child’s pain and suffering and other damages such as loss of normal life, emotional distress, and disability or disfigurement.

If the school bus driver is at fault, you may be able to recover financial compensation from the school district, which is required to have insurance to cover accidents caused by school bus drivers. However, this can be a long and challenging process.

April 30, 2019

Four Bicyclists Injured in Port Richey Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Four bicyclists have been hospitalized after they were seriously injured in a crash involving another vehicle on Ridge Road in Port Richey, according to Pasco County Fire Rescue officials.

According to the agency, the bicyclists were struck by the liftgate of a vehicle ahead of them that dislodged and fell open.

The driver of the vehicle initially kept driving, but Port Richey Police later caught up with him.

All four bicyclists were transported to Bayonet Point Hospital. Three were transported as trauma alerts.

The crash happened just before 7:30 p.m. when a Florida Cancer Specialist tractor trailer was headed eastbound on Ridge Road when the gate fell off, hitting the cyclists on the sidewalk.

Authorities said there were seven people on bicycles total but three of the riders were able to avoid getting hit by the gate. The other four were not.

Also, police said the driver kept going after the crash.

However, it is unclear if they even knew what happened. The driver is cooperating with authorities.

As of now, the driver is not facing any charges. The investigation is ongoing.

Port Richey is a great place to ride a bike. However, even if bikers use the bike lanes they can be injured by reckless or careless motorists who fail to keep a proper lookout out for bicyclists. Every year, numerous serious injuries and fatalities related to bicycle accidents occur throughout Port Richey and Florida, and all over the United States as well. If you have suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident, or if a loved one has died as a result of a car vs. bicycle accident, our Pasco County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you during this stressful period.

April 11, 2019

Mother Says Son Was Texting Before Fatal Truck Crash in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The mother of an 18-year-old killed in a crash is urging other drivers to be safe and avoid distracted driving.

The fatal crash happened on Curley Street early Monday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP troopers said the man was traveling southbound on the street, approaching Curley Road, at about 1:12 p.m. when he lost control of his 1998 Toyota Tacoma.

He ended up crossing the street and entering the east shoulder before his truck overturned.

Troopers said the man suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

His mother said her son wasn’t wearing his seatbelt and was texting just before the crash.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and according to the report, alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

No other information has been released. The investigation remains ongoing.

Texting and driving is a leading cause of accidents across the country. When you think about it, a person who spends just five seconds sending a text message while driving 55 mph will travel over 100 yards while distracted. That’s almost the length of an entire football field.

Some of the types of accidents caused by texting and driving include:

Rear End Accidents
Head-On Collisions
Sideswipes
Parking Lot Accidents
Turning Accidents
T-Bone Collisions

Our Pasco County Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton want to remind all drivers to pull over to a safe area if you must send a text message, or even if you need to make a phone call. Anyone who uses their cell phone while driving risks causing a serious accident. If a texting driver has caused a collision that left you suffering from an injury or took a loved one from you, we can help you hold the negligent driver accountable.

March 18, 2019

Motorcyclist Killed in Pasco County Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A motorcyclist was killed in a traffic crash in the Hunters Ridge community of Pasco County Saturday evening, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Investigators said the 59-year-old was on his motorcycle heading east on Rancho Del Rio Drive at the time of the crash. He entered the intersection at Via Segovia, at which time another vehicle drove into his path.

The man’s motorcycle struck the left rear of the second vehicle. He died at the scene.

According to the accident report, the man was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

No further information has been released.

It is no secret that a motorcycle’s small size combined with their speed can be deadly. Hundreds of motorcyclists die every year in Florida in collisions with cars and trucks. Motorcyclists have to be very cautious when navigating the roadway, but other motorists also need to be more aware of motorcyclists.

Most motorcycle accidents are preventable. The most common causes of these collisions, include:

Distracted driving
Motorists not paying attention to motorcycles
Drunk or drugged driving
Faulty mirrors, brakes or lighting

Drivers of cars and trucks are not free to act without regard for the safety of motorcyclists. Motorists routinely neglect their responsibility to watch out for bikers on Florida roads, causing serious, and even fatal, motorcycle accidents.

February 18, 2019

Authorities Investigating 2 Hit And Run Crashes in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Authorities in Pasco County are investigating two weekend hit-and-runs.

According to Pasco Fire Rescue, a toddler was struck by a motorcycle in the 7300 block of Oak Crest Drive in Port Richey on Saturday evening.

Officials said the motorcyclist just rode off after striking the 2-year-old child.

The child was trauma alerted and flown from the scene.

No further information has been released.

Another crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, this one resulting in a death.

Authorities are searching for a driver that was headed north on US 19 and struck a bicyclist at Holiday Hills Boulevard in Port Richey.

The Florida Highway Patrol described the car that left the scene as a dark blue 2000’s model Saturn sedan.

Anyone with information in either of these cases is asked to call the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 847-8102.

A hit and run occurs when the responsible party of a crash flees the scene. Florida law prohibits this behavior, but sadly, new incidents are reported daily, just like these two crashes. Sometimes the responsible party leaves the scene even when there is an injury victim. For victims of hit and runs, this is physically and emotionally painful. They are left to deal with their injuries, but also left wondering how someone could act in such a negligent and reckless manner.

January 11, 2019

Student Struck by Van Near Gulf High School in Critical Condition

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 15-year-old student was struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning near Gulf High School.

According to Pasco County Fire Rescue, the teen was struck by a van in the intersection of School Road and Madison Street in New Port Richey.

Authorities said the teen was unresponsive and was airlifted from the scene to an area hospital.

The driver of the van is a teacher at the school and coach of the boys soccer team.

The teacher’s 7-year-old child also was in the van. The teacher, who told authorities it was dark and he did not see the teen, was quite upset after the crash, officials said.

Officials did not say what led to the crash, but police said speed does not appear to be a factor.

The teen underwent surgery and remains in critical condition.

A pedestrian accident is a common and tragic occurrence at certain busy intersections. Motorists have a responsibility to yield to pedestrians, and pedestrians have the right of way. An investigation into the circumstances behind a pedestrian accident can usually provide the evidence needed to help injury victims recover full and just compensation for their suffering.

Injuries caused by pedestrian accidents may include internal bleeding, broken arms or legs, head injuries, back and neck injuries, or spinal cord trauma. Fatal pedestrian accidents leave a family without a loved one. While nothing can replace the loss of a loved one, recovering monetary compensation from the at-fault party can help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, etc. so that your family does not have any added financial stress.

January 3, 2019

Odessa Motorcyclist Killed in Collision with Van

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 50-year-old motorcyclist died Friday after colliding with a van that pulled out in front of him, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Odessa man died at Medical Center of Trinity, the Highway Patrol said. The crash occurred near the intersection of State Road 54 and Black Lake Road in Odessa.

Here’s what troopers believe happened:

A Brooksville man was driving a 2015 Chevy Express van south on Asturian Parkway in Odessa about 5 p.m. Friday.

At the same time, the motorcyclist was driving a 2004 Harley Davidson Fatboy west on SR 54, with a woman as his passenger.

As the motorcyclist approached Black Lake Road, the driver of the van tried to turn left into the eastbound lane of SR 54. The driver of the van drove into the motorcyclist’s path, troopers said, and the motorcycle collided with the front of the van.

The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital, where he died. The passenger on the motorcycle was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital with critical injuries.

Alcohol was not a factor in the incident, troopers said, and the driver of the van was wearing his seatbelt.

As of Saturday, chargers were pending.

A motorcycle crash can happen in a matter of seconds, but the consequences can last a lifetime. As the victim of a motorcycle accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation for all resulting damages.

Unfortunately, motorcyclists and their passengers are more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident than other motorists. This is because they lack the protections passenger vehicles provide like no windshield, seatbelt, cushion, or other barrier, which exposes the rider and passenger to the environment and its many hazards. Moreover, a motorcycle cannot usually stand upright on its own, so most accidents cause the two-wheeled motor vehicle to tip over. Because of this, injuries can be severe, and even deadly.

January 2, 2019

Woman Killed by Pickup Truck While Walking On Zephyrhills Road

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 54-year-old woman died Wednesday after she was hit by a truck while walking in the road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The woman died at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

Troopers believe the collision occurred about 7 p.m. Wednesday after a 61-year-old man driving a 2013 Ford F-150 east on County Road 54, nearing the intersection with Ohio Street struck the woman walking

east in the roadway on County Road 54, east of Ohio Street.

Troopers said alcohol wasn’t a factor in the collision, and no charges were filed.

After you lose someone in a fatal pedestrian accident, it might be difficult to think about pursuing legal action. However, there are a few things that you should know about wrongful death cases immediately after a pedestrian accident:

Your time to file a case is limited by the state statute of limitations. In Florida, you have two years from the date of death to file a claim. You may not be able to recover damages after that time expires.
The stress of filing a claim does not have to be your burden. A wrongful death attorney will handle settlement negotiations, discovery, and litigation on your behalf.
Filing a wrongful death claim may be your only chance to recover for medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages that the driver caused when your loved one was killed. If you choose to not take any legal action, then you are unlikely to ever see a fair financial settlement.

December 5, 2018

Pedestrian Killed in Pasco County Hit & Run Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash at an intersection in Holiday Tuesday evening.

According to the agency, the crash involved a pedestrian walking into the path of a vehicle at the intersection of Flora Avenue and Brightwell Drive around 6:15 p.m.

The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

The vehicle involved in the crash fled the scene after impact.

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at (813) 558-1800 or by texting *FHP. Anonymous tips can also be reported to Crime Stoppers at 800-873-TIPS.

Auto accidents happen every day across the state of Florida, but there is nothing worse than a hit-and-run accident. Florida law requires all drivers to stop when they are involved in an accident that results in damage to a vehicle, personal injury, or death. The law also requires that the drivers exchange information such as name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information. If a motorist chooses to flee the scene, this is considered a misdemeanor, but if the collision resulted in serious injury or death, then it is enhanced to a felony carrying a five year prison term.