Tampa St. Petersburg Injury Lawyer Blog

On October 25th, one child was sent to the hospital with injuries after a school bus collided with a car.

On the afternoon of the 25th, a Pinellas County school bus was traveling east on 64th Avenue North, attempting to turn left on Haines Road when it collided with a 2007 Madza traveling north on Haines Road. According to Florida State police, the bus driver did not obey right of way traffic laws and caused the car to strike the side of the bus.

One student on the bus was reportedly taken to All Children's Hospital for evaluation. No one else was reported injured but the bus driver was charged with violation of right of way. The accident remains under investigation.

Continue reading "St. Petersburg School Bus Collision Injures One Child" »

On Friday afternoon, the driver of a pickup truck caused a five-car collision and the death of two people in Hillsborough county. 

At about 3 p.m. on October 21st, the driver of a truck going north on Habana Avenue in Tampa ran a red-light and hit a Dogde minivan that was traveling on Hillsborough Ave.

The driver of the truck, Eric McNeil of Tampa, reportedly lost consciousness while driving, ran a red-light, hit two street signs and crashed into the minivan of Webster and Nancy Farnsworth, of Tampa.  The truck then went airborne, landing on a third vehicle with six passengers inside.  The Farnsworths were both pronounced dead at the scene, while their 3-year-old granddaughter who was in the vehicle was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in critical condition. 

None of six people in the third vehicle suffered life-threatening injuries.  McNeil appeared in good condition according to police but he was taken to the hospital. 

Police are invesitgating what caused McNeil's loss of consciousness.  Witnesses estimated the truck was going about 70 or 80 mph down the Habana Avenue sidewalk and into Hillsborough Ave.

Hillsborough Avenue was shut down for about three hours during rush hour while officers investigated. 

Continue reading "Hillsborough Ave crash kills Tampa couple" »

On September 30, 2011, two people were killed at the scene of an accident after a two car collision on Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach.

As Pablo Mansilla-Aguinaga, of Tampa, and Sandra Paulson, of Scahumaburg, Ill, were pulling out of the Alden Beach Resort on Gulf Blvd, a speeding SUV struck their small Madza, causing both vehicles to overturn.  The SUV ended up on top of a large fountain in front of the resort and quickly caught fire, which witnesses rushed to put out. 

The driver of the SUV, Daniel Dolcater, of Gulfport, was clocked at going 69 mph in a 35 mph zone, and was taken to the hospital with serious head injuries.

Dozens of witnesses watch the accident happen, and ran to help the victims in the sedan as well.  Attempting to help, a local business owner who had witnessed the entire event, ran to the Sedan, but noted little and no pulse in the two victims just moments after the accident.

An officer with the St. Pete Beach police saw the SUV speeding prior to the crash and attempted to initiate a traffic stop with his motorcycle lights.  Other witnesses noted that the SUV was swerving as it approached the hotel.

Police suspected road rage as the reason for speeding, but the case is still being reviewed to determine charges.

Continue reading "Two-vehicle fiery crash kills two in St. Pete Beach" »

On October 30, 2010, Matthew Moye of Riverview was speeding and driving drunk when he hit and killed two pedestrians on Harbor Island Bridge in Tampa.

Prior to the fatal crash, Moye had received numerous citations, obtaining 10 speeding tickets in 12 years. However, many of the previous citations left no points on his Florida driver's license simply because Moye had the option, and agreed, to return to driving school.

It is not uncommon in Florida for drivers to keep their licenses by opting to partake in driver improvement courses approved by the State. Research is now showing that these courses are not proving to be strongly effective in aiding to reduce the amount of crashes in the state.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety demerits the myth that highway safety education is going to solve a lot of problems, explaining that license suspension and revocation were the most effective ways to reduce both crashes and violations, according to a 2004 study.

Considering that to get points on a driving record in Florida, drivers have to admit guilt or be found guilty of a moving violation, some Safety advocates are arguing that the State makes it too easy for those with bad driving records to stay on the road.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were more than 2 million noncriminal moving violations in 2009, but nearly two-thirds of the time, no conviction was made after ticketing. Further, drivers were only found to be guilty in 6 percent of the cases. Thirty percent of the cases involved a defendant admitting guilt by paying civil penalty, and the rest of the cases were dismissed, or had adjudication withheld.

As Deputy Larry McKinnon of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office explains, unless a driver is adjudicated, they will never obtain the status of a habitual offender. Adjudication withheld, he suggests, is a way to escape the point system.

Safety researcher and member of the Automobile Club of Southern California Steven Bloch agrees, suggesting that adjudication withheld is ruining the validity of hazardous drivers' records.

Continue reading "Numerous traffic violation citations ineffective in preventing Florida crashes" »

Traffic signals at some of the most congested intersections around the Tampa Bay area will soon be upgraded to include flashing yellow arrows.

Over the next few months, the state will be putting forth effort to reduce accidents, maintain a normal traffic flow, and reduce the consumption of gas. They are doing so by means of installing at least 75 new traffic signals at high traffic intersections around the state.

The first installation in the state was in Palm Harbor in 2009 and in a matter of weeks Hillsborough County, among others, will follow suit. By the end of summer flashing yellow lights will be along Belcher Road at Alderman and other Tampa roads as well. As traffic signals become due for replacement, or as intersections undergo construction, new yellow arrows are being added too, where appropriate. Engineers based their location choices on such factors as pedestrian numbers and the volume of traffic at each intersection.

Pinellas County's traffic signal operations manager explained the importance of the new light, explaining it's goal was to provide additional safety to drivers in these high congested areas.

Florida is not the only state looking for ways to provide additional safety and improve traffic flow on it's roads. The Federal Highway Administration relates that there are more than 35 states that have already implemented the use of these lights at at least 1,000 intersections. That number is still growing.

Some drivers may not think this change is neccessary, but it is a small change that could help clarify things quickly for drivers, so that there may be no question of right-of-way. The highway administration explains that even if a driver has a green light, if they are making a left-hand turn, that light does not give them the right of way against oncoming traffic. This is often misinterpreted by motorists. The goal is that the flashing yellow will automatically signal drivers that they have to yield first to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, and then they can turn left. In the event a motorist doesn't understand the purpose of the light, the state has planned to install signs next to each new light to further clarify.

Continue reading "Yellow Turn Arrows to be Added to Tampa Bay Traffic Signals" »

On August 25, a Kenneth City woman was struck and killed by a car while riding her bicycle on 66th Street, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Just after 3 p.m., 86-year old Bettie Deetz was riding her bike through the intersection of 49th Avenue and 66th Street, when a van turned left onto 66th street, blocking Deetz' view of oncoming traffic, including a 1991 Camry driven by a Pinellas Park man.  After the van turned, the Camry then struck Deetz.

It was reported that Deetz was not in a crosswalk at the time of the accident, and she was taken to Bayfront Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead. Deputies said there were no crossing signs at the site of the accident and no citations were issued.

Continue reading "Kenneth City Bicyclist Struck and Killed by Car" »

On the afternoon of July 19, a Wesley Chapel motorcyclist sustained injuries after being hit by a sedan on Old Pasco Road.

At 3:20pm, William Wolden of Wesley Chapel was traveling northbound on Old Pasco Rd, north of Country Club road, when he slowed to a stop to wait to turn left into a driveway. According to Florida Highway Patrol, it was then that the driver of a Chrysler sedan, Tina Thompson of Dade City, rear-ended Wolden's 2008 Yamaha motorcycle. 

Wolden was immediately airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa for treatment of critical injuries.  Thompson reportedly suffered minor injuries and no charges were announced. 

Continue reading "Critical Injuries a Result of Wesley Chapel Motorcycle-Car Accident" »

A June 16th accident between a golf-cart and a Jeep killed an elderly resident of The Villages retirement community in Sumter County, Florida.

The resident, Homer Vachon, was riding in a golf cart driven by his wife, when they collided head-on with a Jeep Wrangler.  According to Florida Highway Patrol, the collision happened after the golf-cart entered a traffic circle traveling the wrong way.  Both Vachon and his wife were thrown from the cart upon impact and sent to Orlando Regional Medical Center.  Florida Highway Patrol reported that Vachon, who was in his late 70s, passed on June 19th from injuries sustained in the crash.  At that time, his wife was stated to be in stable condition.

A native of Rochester, New Hampshire, Vachon was the son of prominent figure Emma Ramsey, for whom the town office was named.  After his mother's death, Vahon took over running her store, Tri Echo Center, which is considered a gathering point for a lot of people in town.  He had been a resident of The Villages since fall 2010.

Continue reading "Resident of The Villages Killed in Golf Cart Accident" »

State authorities are now launching a crackdown on insurance fraud due to a rapidly growing number of staged auto accidents in the state of Florida over the past year.

Many Florida residents may have seen their car insurance bills rise in recent years and light is now being shed on the crime of staging auto accidents. According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2010, Florida drivers spent an extra $49 each to cover the cost of these staged accidents.

While personal injury protection on insurance policies was started for the right reason, to protect accident victims, Florida is one of 12 states with a no-fault law. That means that those involved could receive up to $10,000 in settlement for medical costs, no matter who caused the accident. In turn, Florida drivers are now paying more than they should for automobile insurance coverage because automobile insurers are paying unknowingly on false claims.

Local law enforcement agents have been reviewing information on staged crashes and found an alarming number of people trying to rip off the system. In some cases, people alleged that they had been involved in several crashes a year, though an average driver only has one accident every ten years, according to Allstate. In other cases, perpetrators can work together, purposely boxing in another car and causing an accident with an innocent and unsuspecting driver. Also a growing trend being seen is people packing into a crashed car after an accident and then reporting false injury claims.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Florida is second in the nation in questionable insurance claims, and among Florida cities, Tampa leads at number one, with Miami and Orlando ranking second and third, respectively.

The growing number of scammers are starting to face more opposition in recent months, as fraud investigators, the insurance industry and politicians work to expose them. On July 1st, a new state law was put into place to fight insurance fraud, stating that those convicted could face civil penalties in addition to criminal charges. Arrests for personal injury protection fraud are also up about 55% from the same period last year, according to the state Department of Financial Services.

Continue reading "Hillsborough County Ranks Highest in Staged Auto Accidents" »

On Tuesday morning, construction worker Robert Armstrong, 19, was hit and killed by the driver of a pickup truck on Interstate 75 near State Road 60.

Florida Highway Patrol stated that the 21-year old driver, Logan Feagle, somehow lost control of his vehicle, swerved, and hit and killed Armstrong, who was removing a speed limit sign at the time. All southbound lanes of the highway were closed as investigators came to the scene.

According to Sgt. Gaskins of the FHP, it remains under investigation what caused Feagle to swerve, and if there were any other vehicles involved. It is also not yet known if drugs or alcohol were factors in the accident. Feagle's blood sample was taken but according to investigators, it could be a month or more before the results are known.

A recent graduate of Brandon High School, Armstrong leaves behind his fiance and infant daughter.

Continue reading "Brandon Worker Hit and Killed on I-75" »

A Pinellas County Judge recently dismissed famed wrestler Hulk Hogan's lawsuit against Wells Fargo.

In 2010, Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) filed a suit against the insurance broker after his son Nick Bollea's 2007 car accident in Clearwater, Florida, which left one passenger severely injured. Bollea alleged that Wells Fargo Southeast failed to make him aware of an additional excess/umbrella policy to cover his assets, therefore leaving him uninsured at the time of his son's accident.

Despite Bollea adding ex-wife and business partner Linda to the lawsuit, deeming her responsible as well, Wells Fargo countered that they tried to inform Bollea's ex-wife about the policy and considered the suit without merit.

After his son's 2007 accident, Bollea signed for this son's license, in turn making himself liable and the suit concluded that his insurance remained inadequate.

Continue reading "Pinellas County, Florida Judge Discharges Hulk Hogan's Lawsuit Against Wells Fargo" »

The climbing number of pedestrian deaths recently has triggered Clearwater Police to launch a campaign for safety.

Yesterday, December 21, through today, police will be watching the busiest streets, conducting a special safety detail, through which they hope to prevent and lower the rising amount of pedestrian deaths.

Since research shows that most pedestrian deaths occur when people attempt to cross outside of crosswalks, the police department will be keeping an eye out for jaywalkers in particular, along with anyone seemingly attempting to interrupt safe traffic flow.

Tickets will be issued to those individuals at a fine of $62.00 each, though the police are stressing the main reason they are patroling is to encourage safety on the roads.

Continue reading "Frequent Pedestrian Deaths Trigger Clearwater Police to Take Action" »

A Pinellas Park High School student was killed December 18, while trying to catch the bus to school.

Nora Hernandez-Huapilla, 17, was at the intersection of 66th St and 70th Avenue with a class mate, when they saw their bus pull up across the street. Attempting to catch the bus, they ran across the intersection and the girl was hit. 

The driver who hit Hernandez-Huapilla was said to be heading northbound, and had a green-light.  Investigators said is was dark and rainy at the time of the accident, but they don't think speed was an issue. Hernandez-Huapilla was taken to Bayfront Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.

Some are pointing fingers at Pinellas County School District, who has had to relocate several stops lately, as the arterial bus stops have been presenting safety issues and raising controversy recently.

Although Julie Janssen, Pinellas County School Superintendent, states parents are responsible, "...when they choose to allow their children to go to a school thats not their zoned school," others want more changes in the stops.

A family member of Hernandez-Huapilla suggested the family had made several complaints about the safety of the bus stop.  Pinellas County School Superintendent Michael Bessett confirmed the family had called once in October and claimed the district was handling the request accordingly. 

Continue reading "Pinellas Park Teen Killed at Bus Stop" »

In the early morning of November 30, a woman hit and then saved the life of a pedestrian she hit in Clearwater.

Patricia Syraski, a respiratory therapist, was on her way to work at Tampa General Hospital at about 6 am when she hit a pedestrian crossing Gulf to Bay Blvd. She described that he was walking in the darkness and not in a crosswalk. Syraski immediately pulled over and said the man was not breathing when she got to him. After flagging down another motorist, who called 911, she was able to perform CPR and revive the man, with the aid of a doctor who stopped to help.

The pedestrian was then taken to a hospital via helicopter when paramedics arrived. The accident shut down Gulf to Bay traffic in both directions for a short time. Clearwater police did not expect there to be any charges.

Continue reading "Driver Hits, Saves the Life of Clearwater Pedestrian" »

On November 20, a car driven by a Tampa resident hit and killed a St. Petersburg bicyclist.

Stephen Caputo of St. Petersburg was riding his Schwinn beach cruiser at Belcher Rd and 118th Avenue in Pinellas Park around 5 a.m., when William Colwell of Tampa, driving a Chrysler, struck Caputo's bike from behind. The victim reportedly hit the car's windshield and was then thrown into the road.

According to police, Colwell stopped after the incident, but then a second vehicle also struck the victim's bike, and kept driving. Caputo, who was said to not be wearing a helmet but was wearing a reflective vest, died at the scene.

The bike did have a small rear light, and a flashlight was taped to the handlebars, but authorities weren't sure if the lights had been working at the time of the accident.

While police investigated, the southbound lanes surrounding the scene of the accident were closed for several hours. Traffic charges are still pending, as Colwell claimed he did not see the bicyclist.

Continue reading "St. Petersburg Bicyclist Dies in Pinellas Park Accident" »