Citrus County Injury Attorney Blog

May 19-25 has been dedicated as National Dog Bite Prevention Week. National Dog Bite Prevention Week is an awareness campaign sponsored every year by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Postal Service to help prevent dog bite injuries and dog bite attacks by educating dog owners how to properly train their pets and remind the public, especially children, how to behave around animals.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week is very important as dog attacks are the most commonly reported public health issue among children in the United States, accounting for five percent of emergency room visits. In fact, nearly 4.7 million Americans were bit by a dog last year. The most frequent victims of dog bites are small children, senior citizens and postal workers. When it comes to dog bites, children are 900 times more likely to suffer a dog bite than compared to adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that around 68 million dogs are kept as pets in the U.S. According to statistic from the CDC, dog attack injuries are most frequent in the arm and hand, accounting for 45.3 percent of reported injuries. Injuries to the leg and foot rank second at 25.8 percent and head and neck trauma come in third at 22.8 percent. These statistics reign true expect in children under the age of four, where the majority of dog bite injuries occur in the head and neck region.

A theme is chosen to represent National Dog Bite Prevention Week each year, and this year the theme is "Be a tree." This is meant to serve as a reminder to all that if a strange dog approaches you, stand still like a tree. The dog will eventually tire of the situation and leave, according to the AVMA.

Continue reading "Inverness Injury Attorney :: National Dog Bite Prevention Week Encourages Citrus County Residents to Practice Responsible Dog Ownership" »

May is National Electric Safety Month, so it is important to shed some light on electrical hazards and how to prevent electrical accidents from happening in the first place. While you may not hear about electrical accidents often, electricity causes thousands of injuries and deaths every year.

We rely on electrical power in our homes to cook our food and run all of our electronic devices, such as computers and televisions. In fact, much of what makes up our modern world would not be possible without electricity. However, electricity can also be quite dangerous. When electrical contact is made sending electricity through the body, this is known as electric shock. In most cases, electric shock is the direct result of the human body coming into contact with damaged or faulty wiring. Electric shock can vary in severity and depends on the strength of the electric current and how long the person was exposed to it.

If you have ever touched an outlet and experienced a slight buzz or vibration on your hand, then you have endured a minor electric shock. A severe shock can result in muscle contractions, spasms, unconsciousness, paralysis and death. A person may even suffer severe burns from where the current entered and left the body.

Continue reading "Citrus County Injury Lawyer :: How to Avoid an Electric Shock Injury in Crystal River" »

Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released new guidelines discouraging vehicle manufacturers from installing new devices in cars that allow drivers to text or use in-vehicle devices to surf the web.

At first the NHTSA only proposed limiting the number of characters that would be allowed for text entry in cars used for texting or browsing the Internet, but after further review, it has been suggested that there be a ban placed on all character input while driving. In fact, the NHTSA only advises for maps or location information to be displayed, and even then, without displaying 3D or photorealistic images.

As of now, these guidelines are not mandatory and will not go into effect for at least three years. These new recommendations do not apply to existing vehicle models that will not undergo any substantial changes.

According to the NHTSA, separate guidelines will be proposed to cell phone manufacturers as well as producers of other devices.

These guidelines are supported by the Department of Transportation in its fight to eliminate distracted driving, which claimed 3,331 lives in the U.S. in 2011. Within that same year, another 387,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents.

Distracted driving occurs any time a motorist focuses their attention on something other than the primary task of driving. Distracted driving can include the following behaviors while behind the wheel:

• Eating and drinking

• Reading Maps

• Applying Makeup

• Texting

• Talking on a Cell Phone

• Playing with Radio Dials or iPod

• Talking to Other Passengers

Continue reading "Citrus County Auto Accident Attorney :: NHTSA Proposes New Guidelines to Combat Distracted Driving" »

MTV's "Buckwild" star Shain Gandee was killed recently in a mudding accident near his West Virginia home.

Gandee, his uncle and another man were found dead inside a sport utility vehicle that had apparently gotten stuck in the mud. Reports indicate that Gandee and the other men died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gandee, 21, enjoyed outdoor activities, and regularly participated in "mudding," or driving off-road in muddy conditions. Generally, mudding involves driving an all-terrain vehicle or sport utility vehicle off-road through muddy areas such as wet fields, lakeshores and lakebeds. People that participate in this rather messy sport usually race through these areas, causing their tires to spin and fling mud.

This tragic accident serves as a reminder of just how dangerous mudding can be. While there are no laws that ban someone from driving in a muddy area, there are laws that prohibit mudding on state and federally owned land as well as regulations against dangerous or reckless driving. Participating in mudding could lead to various consequences, including citations for reckless driving, monetary fines, trespassing charges and even personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. The driver in a mudding accident could be held liable for any property damage, personal injury or wrongful death they may cause.

Continue reading "Citrus County Wrongful Death Attorney :: MTV 'Buckwild' Star Shain Gandee Killed in Mudding Accident" »

A 45-year-old Homosassa motorcyclist was killed Monday night after being struck by a car from behind in Homosassa Springs.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, the motorcyclist was stopped on West Cardinal Street about to execute a left turn onto South Gross Avenue, when a 31-year-old Homosassa woman driving a Volkswagen Jetta and heading in the same direction rammed into the back of the man's motorcycle.

The man died at the scene of the crash. The woman was not injured.

Charges are pending, according to the FHP.

A motorcyclist that is rear ended by an automobile is likely to suffer severe injuries. Unlike other types of auto accidents, motorcycles do not have the safety features that most other vehicles are equipped with that can prevent certain injuries. Instead, motorcyclists lack restraints that could keep them safe from further injury. When a biker is struck from behind, the injuries sustained are usually serious and may include spinal cord trauma, neurological damage and even death.

Serious bodily harm can keep injury victims out of work while medical bills are left to pile up. In the case of wrongful death, the victim's family may be left to cope with their loss while also suffering a serious financial burden. A Citrus County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can work with accident victims and surviving family members to make sure they receive the financial compensation they deserve under the law. Compensation may include payment for hospital bills, lost wages, funeral expenses and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Citrus County Motorcycle Accident Attorney :: Motorcyclist Killed in Homosassa Springs Rear-End Collision " »

While many of us have slipped and fallen before, either due to our own clumsiness or other factors out of our control, sometimes these accidents can deliver more than just embarrassment. In fact, there are many times when the victims of a Homosassa slip and fall accident suffers severe and debilitating injuries, and in the worst cases, even death.

One of the more common injuries that arise after a slip and fall or trip and fall accident is a back injury of some kind. Back injuries are usually quite serious and cause a great amount of pain to the victim. Unfortunately, these injuries can be complicated to treat and could take weeks, months or even years to fully recover from.

Sadly, even with proper medical care and rehabilitation, back injuries can bring about life changing consequences. Some of the worst effects of these injuries following a slip and fall or trip and fall accident includes:

Depression - The back is very important for completing even the simplest of everyday tasks, so an injury can make even the slightest things incredibly difficult. Not being able to carry on with life how you usually would, can cause many people to become depressed and suffer a loss of enjoyment for life. Depression not only hurts you, but those around you as well, and it can be hard to overcome without the help of therapy.

Chronic Pain - Back injuries are known to be quite painful. For many injury victims, this pain can be continuous or come in waves. Chronic back pain can keep you from being able to work, walk, sleep or perform any normal daily tasks.

Keep You Out of Work - Slip and fall victims suffering from a back injury may not be able to lead a normal life, and that means they may not be able to work. This means no income, which can make getting treating for the injury extremely hard.

Continue reading "Citrus County Premises Liability Lawyer :: Dealing with Back Pain Following a Homosassa Slip and Fall" »

Now that winter is over and spring has sprung, your child's school may be starting to plan field trips to the local zoo or even a weekend jaunt to an amusement park. While these trips can be both educational and fun, it is important to realize that school field trips can result in injuries.

What should you do if your child is bitten by a pig at the petting zoo or if your kid falls off a ride at the amusement park and breaks an arm? No one wants to think this can happen to their son or daughter, but the reality is that these injuries have happened and can result in legal liability. In fact, depending on the specifics of the incident, both schools and the business where the injury occurred can be held liable for your child's injuries.

First off, businesses that run any type of operation that is open to the public can be responsible for any injuries that occur on the property. Businesses have an obligation to keep their premises safe and free from dangerous situations. This may include installing safety cameras, putting up warning signs and maintaining safe equipment. So if your child is injured because of a faulty restraint system on a roller coaster, the owners of the amusement park could be held liable.

In addition to holding the business liable for your child's injuries, you may be wondering if the school can be blamed. If your child is injured because of negligent supervision, you might be able to make a claim against the school. After all, your child is in the care of school personnel on field trips and you expect them to be looked after properly.

Lastly, you should note the value of waivers of liability. In general, before your child goes on a field trip, you will likely be asked to sign a waiver and release of liability. However, just because you sign this document does not necessarily mean you cannot file an injury claim to collect damages for a field trip injury. These waivers are not always enforceable.

Continue reading "Citrus County Premises Liability Lawyer :: Understanding who is Responsible for a School Field Trip Injury" »

Reports indicate that a lawsuit has been recently filed by a woman in Texas who suffered burn injuries after her iPod Touch exploded and burnt her eye.

The woman claims that she was listening to music on her bed with her iTouch beside her, when she suddenly felt a burning sensation near her eye. She claims the iTouch had exploded and delivered an electrical shock that severely burned her eye, leading to an assortment of damages.

The woman is accusing Apple of selling her a defective product and failing to warn her about the possibilities of electrical shock explosions. The lawsuit states that the plaintiff would not have bought the iPod if she was aware of the risk of serious bodily injury.

The woman has requested a jury trial, and is seeking damages for pain and suffering, medical bills, mental and emotional distress, scarring, disability, and loss of enjoyment of daily activities.

While this case may seem unique, this is actually not the first lawsuit of this kind to pop up in recent years across the U.S. In 2009, a 15-year-old boy was seriously burned when his iTouch exploded in his pants pocket and caught fire. The iTouch apparently delivered second-degree burns to the boys' leg, and he ended up filing for more than $200,000 in punitive and compensatory damages.

In 2011, Apple issued a recall for its iPod nano because of its potential to overheat, posing a safety risk to consumers. All iPod nanos were offered to be replaced, and the defect was linked back to the battery supplier who has issues with its manufacturing.

Continue reading "Citrus County Injury Lawyer :: Apple Facing Lawsuit Over Exploding iPod Touch" »

The Highway Loss Data Institute recently conducted a study that looked at motorcycle accident insurance claims and found that anti-lock brakes drastically reduced the risk for an accident among all bikers, especially new riders.

According to HLDI, motorcycles outfitted with anti-lock braking systems compensate for errors that novice riders might make when traversing the open road, resulting in fewer accidents. In fact, the study found that new motorcyclists are 30 percent less likely to become involved in an accident when they ride a motorcycle with ABS brakes.

A study performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that motorcycles featuring anti-lock brakes appeared to be 37 percent less likely to crash. Furthermore, motorcycles with ABS brakes had 22 percent less damages claims per vehicle year than the same models that do not have anti-lock brakes.

So, how do ABS brakes work to prevent collisions? When a biker hits the brakes, there is a chance that the wheels could lock, causing a rider to be ejected from the bike and suffer serious injuries or even death. Bikes with anti-lock brakes can prevent the wheels from locking in this manner, ultimately reducing the risk for an accident. ABS brakes sense when a wheel is about to stop rotating and prevents any kind of lock up by automatically releasing the brake pressure.

Continue reading "Citrus County Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney :: Anti-lock Brakes May Reduce Crystal River Motorcycle Accidents " »

Soft tissue injuries commonly arise following car accidents. STIs are usually painful and can make it difficult to stand and sit and even keep you from being able to work. In general, STIs cover contusions or bruising, sprains and strains. While a car insurance claims adjuster may try to downplay the seriousness of your injuries, STIs can be ongoing and even permanent. Stress, pain and inflammation to your muscles and nerves can be quite serious. Some examples of severe STIs include serious neck injuries from whiplash, a blown disc in your spine or a torn rotator cuff.

Most people tend to think that severe injuries only arise from high-speed collisions. But this is not always the case. In fact, it takes only slight force to cause soft tissue damage. The muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints can be torn even in low-speed wrecks of less than 10 miles per hour. However, because low impact collisions often cause little to no damage to cars, people often assume that there is no real risk for serious or permanent injuries to drivers and passengers involved.

According to experts, one out of every three whiplash victims has ongoing neck pain, often lasting years after a collision. Just remember, a STI is a serious condition, and while it may not show up right away on an x-ray it certainly could lead to excruciating pain and suffering later on down the road.

When you are involved in any type of car accident, it is in your best interest to seek medical attention right away. Due to the fact that STIs may not show up until days after the accident, it is best not to wait to receive medical care. It is never a good idea to ignore any pain following a car wreck because this pain could lead to increased physical discomfort later on. Treatment for a soft tissue car accident injury can vary and may include chiropractic care, physical therapy and possibly surgery.

If you've been in a car accident, be on the lookout for the following symptoms of STI:

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Pain in the Neck

• Soreness in Back Muscles

• Slight Tingling Sensation in Fingers and/or Toes

Be aware, if you have pain that is radiating from a muscle, this could be a sign that you are suffering from a neurological problem.

Insurance companies are constantly fighting soft tissue claims, maintaining that these injuries will fix themselves over time and require little to no medical treatment at all. Sadly, car accident victims know that this is certainly not always the case.

Continue reading "Inverness Auto Accident Attorney :: Understanding a Soft Tissue Injury Car Accident Claim" »

Collisions involving cars, truck, motorcycles and SUVs can happen in the blink of an eye. In fact, there are numerous types of motor vehicle accidents that can happen at any time throughout Citrus County, from drivers falling asleep at the wheel to drivers becoming distracted and drifting off the road. While many different factors can lead to a crash, most result in significant property damage, serious personal injuries or even wrongful death.

Due to the fact that motor vehicle accidents are an everyday occurrence, many Citrus County motorists have questions about how the law deals with two drivers who are both partially at fault for an accident. The main question being: Can you still recover a portion of your damages even if you may have contributed to the collision? Fortunately, Florida recognizes "comparative negligence," so when more than one party is responsible both parties can actually still recover for their losses.

While it may sound complex, comparative negligence is pretty straightforward. In this situation, a judge or jury will assign a percentage of fault to each party involved in the incident and the actual amount recovered will be reduced by that percentage. So, let's say a jury finds that one driver was 10% at fault for the accident and the other driver was 90% at fault. If the first driver is determined to have suffered $100,000 worth of damages because of the accident, that number will be reduced by the percentage they were found to be at fault, which in this case is 10%. The first driver would actually receive $90,000 because $10,000 would be subtracted for their contribution to the incident.

Continue reading "Citrus County Auto Accident Attorney :: How to Deal with a Wreck that is Both Drivers Fault" »

T-bone collisions, also referred to as side impact or broadside crashes, are a common type of accident in Citrus County. Being struck broadside can leave the driver and any passengers suffering terrible injuries and even fatalities.

The victims of T-bone accidents are at an increased risk for injury than in other types of accidents strictly because of the nature of the crash. T-bone collisions usually occur at intersections or when two vehicles pass each other on a multi-lane road or highway. When these accidents happen, both cars involved can be spun from their original location, and flip or roll over. Rollover accidents are highly likely to deliver devastating injuries, such as neck, shoulder and head injuries to passengers and even other vehicles and pedestrians that are in the vehicle's path.

Side impact collisions can happen for numerous reasons. In general, most of these accidents stem from a driver running a red light or stop sign. A few of the most common reasons red lights and stop signs are run that result in Dunnellon T-bone accidents include:

• Distracted Driving - Distracted motorists cause many accidents, including Citrus County broadside collisions. When drivers are distracted they can easily miss a stop sign or blow through a red light, possibly striking other cars in their way.

• Speeding - Speeding through Dunnellon leaves a driver with very little time to react to situations or hazards in the road way that can quickly pop up. In many situations, speeding drivers do not have time to slow down or stop properly, and can end up running a red light and hit another car.

• Drunk Driving - Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs both a driver's vision and reaction time. This increases the odds of a drunk driver becoming involved in a side impact crash.

Continue reading "Citrus County Car Accident Attorney :: Injured in a T-Bone Crash In Dunnellon? " »

Lecanto, FL - A woman was injured Friday evening after falling 30 feet into a cave in the Withlacoocheee State Forest.

A team from the Citrus County Fire Rescue arrived at the Lecanto cave to find the woman trapped.

Engine 181 from Sugarmill Woods in conjunction with Tech Rescue 71, State Forestry and Nature Coast EMS initiated rescue operations and extricated the woman from the cave and transferred her to the care of Nature Coast EMS.

Engine 31 from Homosassa provided a landing zone for medical air support, which allowed the patient to be airlifted to Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center in Hudson.

Slips, trips and falls may sound like minor accidents, and while they certainly can be, they can often result in pretty devastating injuries and in certain cases death. Slip and fall accidents can lead to broken bones, head injuries, neck and back problems and many more serious injuries. When a fall occurs from a height, the injuries suffered can be disabling and possibly life-threatening. If a fall is caused by another person's negligence, the injury victim should speak with a premises liability lawyer to learn more about their legal rights and options.

It is important to note that not every slip and fall accident is someone else's fault. However, if a dangerous condition located on another person's property resulted in your injuries, you may have a strong claim. In the state of Florida, anyone who invites guests to visit their property has a duty to make sure their property is reasonably safe. If an unsafe condition arises, it should be fixed in a timely fashion. If for some reason, the problem cannot be fixed immediately, a warning sign should be posted clearly. Failure to maintain a safe property can result in a premises liability lawsuit.

Continue reading "Citrus County Premises Liability Lawyer :: Woman Injured After 30-Foot Fall Into Cave" »

Head-on collisions are very common car accidents that frequently result in severe injuries. In fact, these accidents result in more personal injuries and deaths than any other type of car accident. If you have been involved in a head-on collision, you may have suffered an injury and be entitled to recover financial compensation.

Head-on collisions can be caused by many things, but mostly they occur when another driver engages in reckless behavior on the roadways of Citrus County. Other accidents and injuries may occur due to poorly constructed highways or design defects in cars.

Head-on collisions often happen when another motorist:

• Makes an Unsafe Lane Change

• Becomes Distracted While Driving

• Drives the Wrong Way On or Off a Road, Freeway or Ramp

• Operates a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

• Operates a Vehicle While Drowsy or Fatigued

• Falls Asleep Behind the Wheel

Injuries in head-on collisions are more likely to end in a fatally when they occur at high speeds or involve larger vehicles, like trucks and buses. Sadly, more than 100 deaths occur every day across the United States due to car, truck, bus and motorcycle accidents.

Some of the injuries that are commonly suffered following a head-on collision include:

• Brain Injuries

• Spinal Cord Trauma

• Nerve Damage

• Broken Bones and Fractures

• Whiplash

• Burn Injuries

• Lacerations

• Wrongful Death

Continue reading "Citrus County Car Accident Injury Attorney :: Common Causes of Head-On Collisions in Crystal River" »

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death among teens ages 16-19 throughout the United States. In fact, teens are much more likely to be involved in an Inverness car accident than any other age group.

In 2009, 3,000 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 were killed in automobile accidents occurring across the nation. Sadly, another 350,000 were treated for injuries.

As a parent, you may be wondering what causes teens to become involved in a collision. Some of the most common causes for a car crash in Citrus County include the following:

Driver Inexperience - Teen accidents still occur despite proper education and safe driving tips. While teens may be focused on the roadway, they lack the experience needed for operating their vehicle in the safest possible manner.

Driver Distractions - Just like adults, there are numerous things that can distract a teen's eyes from the road. Texting, talking on a cell phone, changing the stations on the radio, eating or even having other passengers in the car can all cause a teen to lose focus on the main task at hand. It is important for teens to limit the number of passengers in their car because this is a top cause of deadly accidents. In fact, according to the National Institute for Highway Safety, 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with every additional passenger in the car.

Drinking & Driving - It is important for teens to be reminded of the dangers associated with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Sadly, 33 percent of fatal accidents in 2009 involved teens between the ages of 15 and 19 who were drunk behind the wheel.

The first 500 miles for teen drivers are the most dangerous, so parents must be extra cautious and always remind teens of safe driving practices before they get behind the wheel. Remember, teenagers are not the only ones who can suffer serious injuries or death in auto accidents. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, two-thirds of those killed in traffic accidents involving teenage drivers are the other drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Because of this, it is critical for all drivers, especially teens, to always drive safely and to pay attention to the road.

Continue reading "Inverness Auto Accident Attorney :: Top Causes for Citrus County Teen Car Crashes" »