Tampa St. Petersburg Injury Lawyer Blog

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" »

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" »

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" »

In the early morning hours of October 21, 2009, a Hillsborough County firefighter riding her motorcycle was involved in a collision with a pickup truck.

The firefighter, driving her Harley-Davidson collided with a Tarpon Springs man in a Chevy pickup after she drove the wrong way in the eastbound lanes of S. Village Drive. While the driver of the pickup was not injured, the firefighter, Patti Valero of Brandon, was said to be in critical condition and was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. The collision is still under investigation and no one has been cited yet.

The Law Offices of John T. Grove handles motorcycle collisions frequently and knows the harsh emotional, physical, and financial damages victims often experience.  Call Attorney John T. Grove for your FREE consultation today.

John Earl Beebe was riding his motorcycle in Dunedin, Florida on September 30th, when he was struck and killed by an SUV.

The driver of the Chevrolet Trailblazer was pulling out of the post office driveway on County Road 1 when she collided with Beebe, on his 1986 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Although he was wearing his helmet, Beebe was taken to Mease Dunedin Hospital where he died later that afternoon.

No injuries or citations to the driver of the Trailblazer have been reported, but details of the fatal collision are still under investigation.

The Law Offices of John T. Grove handles motorcycle accidents every day and has seen first-hand the financial and physical damages such collisions can cause. Contact the Law Offices of John T. Grove today.

Being a warm-weather state, Florida already has a higher number of motorcycle riders than most states, and therefore a higher number of collisions.  Now, it seems that the failing economy has led to a trend in buying motorcycles as a primary means of transportation.  While they used to be considered luxuries for most, people are now purchasing motorcycles simply because they can not afford a car and the expenses that go along with it.  Despite the sagging economy, managers at local dealerships suggest that sales are indeed still holding their own. Motorcycles can be purchased for even less than a used car, they get signficantly better gas mileage, and riders are not required to have insurance in the state of Florida.

For those struggling financially, motorcycles may seem like a wise choice...but at what cost? In 2007, when neither he nor his mother could afford a car, a 17-year old Ridgewood High senior saved up and got a used motorcycle for $1,300. His ride turned fatal in November of that year when his motorcycle collided with a car on U.S. 19. 

Trend experts suggest that the affordability of the bikes has fused a statewide surge in motorcycle injuries and deaths.  With the number of registered motorcyclists up to 582,740 in 2006, compared to 339,488 in 2002, the number of fatalities is also on the rise. In 2002, Florida repealed its Helmet Law for bikers, so that currently the law is only enforcing that riders under the age of 21 need to wear a helmet, and riders over the age of 21 who choose to ride without a helmet now must carry insurance for $10,000 in medical payments coverage, in the event that they are involved in an accident.  And, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, it seems that they continue to be involved in those accidents, as over 40 percent of motorcyclists that are killed in collisions were not wearing helmets.

While contributing factors like youth, inexperience and speed are usually thought to be the cause of crashes with motorcycles, law enforcement officials suggest there is really an equal amount of collisions caused by careless drivers, or those who didn't see the motorcyclists. However, in Florida, those in motorcycle accidents are six times more likely to die than automobile drivers. The battle of placing blame between car drivers and motorcyclists is not likely to end anytime soon, but the reality, as stated by Sgt. Jim Bordner, spokesman for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, is "the roadways are only as safe as the worst driver."  (http://www.sptimes.com/) 

Continue reading "Affordability May Be To Blame For Rise in Florida Motorcycle Deaths" »

The increasing number of reckless drivers in Pinellas Park, Florida has developed into a huge problem for the city, according to Pinellas Park police. Aggressive drivers, particularly those whose driving creates a great risk for their fellow motorists, are the target of a new battle being launched by police.

Sgt. Tracy Schofield, the special operations supervisor, was recently a victim of an aggressive driver himself. Schofield believes the rise of aggressive drivers can be contributed to the country's economic status and the extra financial and personal stressors people are experiencing. (TBNWeekly.com) Police are especially looking for drivers who run red lights, tailgate, change lanes aggressively and those who speed. In the most recent effort of traffic enforcement,108 citations were made for speeding, DUIs and other violations. Police are even turning to unexpected and unconventional ways to stop violators and cut down on reckless driving, by using more unmarked cars, and even disguising officers.

Many of these aggressive drivers are thought to be 25 years old and younger, however the number of middle aged and senior violators are on the rise as well.  Younger drivers are more likely to drive high performance vehicles. Wednesday and Saturday nights have been deemed the most dangerous nights on the roads in Pinellas Park and the surrounding areas, as several local establishments sponsor weekly motorcycle and car events on those evenings.

Motorcyclists are also more inclined to break driving laws than motorists, according to Schofield. A common ticket for motorcyclists has been for doing "wheelies" on city streets, but the cyclists are starting to find ways around the ticket. Some mount their plates on hinges, so if spotted by the police they can flip up their plates and speed away from police, with the knowledge that most police agencies have "no chase" policies. While "wheelies" for some may seem harmless and fun, there are some serious consequences.  Even if it's the first time a motorcyclist has been ticketed for a wheelie, they can face a fine that's over $1,000.00. If that weren't enough to defer cyclists, second offenders' fines can be up to $2,500.00 and third time offenders not only may pay a substantial fine, but become felons and may face up to a year in jail.

Since there is no specific law which governs "aggressive driving", motorists engaging in risky road behavior are actually ticketed for other violations, such as speeding or tailgating. What many drivers may not be aware of however, is that the officer can use his or her discretion to check an "aggressive driving" box on a summons, which in turn gives the judge a clue to impose a higher fine on the driver or require them to take an aggressive driving course.

Continue reading "Pinellas Park Police Cracking Down on Aggressive Drivers" »

Jim Key, of Winter Haven, was leaving work on Recker Highway for his lunch break on the morning of February 9^th, when another driver slammed into him, ejecting him from his motorcycle.

As the other driver drove off, Key's bike went up in flames, and co-workers extinguished the fire, dragging Key away. Co-workers and witnesses hastily made a tourniquet, attempting to treat Key while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

According to NewsCheif.com, after being airlifted to Tampa General Hospital and undergoing an extensive 30 hour surgery, as well as spending one month in the hospital and attending weeks of physical therapy, Key is finally able to return home and to work. While he is thankful and glad to be back, he still faces another trying six months before he is able to walk.

Key states he is not holding a grudge against the other driver, but has no interest in meeting her. The woman, who was driving a minivan was arrested a few days following the accident, with charges of leaving the scene of a crash, which is a third-degree felony.

Motorcycle accidents occur every day in Florida. Many of these accidents cause significant injuries to the motorcyclist simply due to their lack of protection from the vehicle impacting it or the roadway itself. Motorists must use the utmost care to watch for motorcycles on the roadways. Although not required in Florida, our office recommends that our clients who ride carry extra uninsured motorist coverage to protect themselves against the medical expense and life expense associated with an accident. The Law Offices of John T. Grove handles motorcycle accident cases on a regular basis.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that motorcyclists involved in a collision are 35 times more likely to die than their car-driving counterparts.

Fatalities of local riders are reported almost weekly in Pinellas and the surrounding counties, and in all of Florida. The death rates in Florida even surpass the numbers in other warm-weather states like California (ranked as having the 2^nd highest motorcyclist death rate) and Texas (which is 3^rd place).

A spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) suggests that these increasingly high death rates are due to the fact that more people nowadays are riding motorcycles, and therefore, more are dying. Likewise, statistics have depicted a steady rise in the number of motorcyclist deaths for the last 10 years.

However, in 2008, there was slight decrease in Florida deaths reported from the previous year. Some think credit could be given to campaigns such as "Ride Proud. Dress Loud" or the nation-wide massive distribution of "Look Twice Save a Life" bumper stickers. The state has also attempted preventative action, recently putting into effect a law that mandates motorcyclists to pass a riding course prior to getting a license. Unfortunately, about a quarter of the deaths from motorcycle accidents are of unlicensed drivers.

It has been suggested that this plateau may simply be due to the economy and its rising gas prices, rather than motorists of any kind making a conscious effort to be more aware of their fellow drivers. Motorcyclists often report feeling that other drivers neglect to give them the same precaution as other vehicles. Likewise, many car drivers attribute motorcyclist deaths to careless and risky driving.

It is clear that people who drive automobiles must be cautious and considerate of motorcycle drivers. In Florida, PIP insurance is not mandatory on a motorcycle. Additionally, Florida does not require drivers of cars to carry liability insurance. Therefore, I believe it is very important for those of us on the roads to carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance. This is especially important for motorcyclists who may be more susceptible to serious injury in an accident.

Continue reading "Florida Ranks #1 in Motorcycle Deaths" »