Tampa Bay Personal Injury Lawyer - Auto Accidents

Hillsborough County to Get Red Light Cameras at Major Intersections

Joe Saunders — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:08:17 GMT

The Hillsborough County Commission voted unanimously last evening to obtaining cameras at major intersections throughout the county. Advocates of the red light cameras say that the cameras save lives and deter would be red-light runners. The statistics show there's a problem in Tampa Bay with motorists running red lights. Hillsborough County Sheriff's issued 3,784 red light citations last year. The Sheriff's office blamed 439 car crashes on red light runners, one of them being a fatality. Those who run red lights tend to be moving through intersections at a high rate of speed in order to beat a light. This inevitably results in serious auto crashes with severe injuries and motorist deaths. If the cameras serve as a deterrent and save lives, I say go ahead and install them not only in Hillsborough County but in Pinellas as well.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Deputy Carlton Turner is a Hero in I-4 Auto Pileup

Joe Saunders — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:03:48 GMT

Deputy Sheriff Carlton Turner is a hero. He was the first to respond to the horrific multiple vehicle crash on I-4. His vehicle was rear ended before he had a chance to get out of his patrol car yet he tried to save others in the midst of chaos and confusion. He found himself in the midst of a situation that was life threatening and he thought of others. He tried to save other motorists caught in the hell of the I-4 multiple car crash collision. He experineced things for which he was not trained yet he aceted as a true public servant. We need more people like him in public service.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Motorcycle and SUV Collision Kills 2 on Deadly U.S. 19

Jenny Albano — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:23:29 GMT

A motorcycle and a SVU collided on the morning of January 7, killing the driver of both vehicles. The motorcycle ran into the SUV on U.S. 19 in Palm Harbor and then burst into flames. Witnesses said the motorcycle was going over 100 mph when it hit the 1994 Chevrolet Suburban that was turning in front of it.

Since both of the vehicles went up inflames the bodies of the drivers are un-identifiable. The Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner's Office will be left to verify the men's identities.

Elizabeth Monforti, spokeswoman for Palm Harbor Fire Rescue, said the motorcyclist may have gone through one of the Suburban's passenger side windows in the 11 a.m. wreck, but the patrol could not confirm that. The driver of the sport utility vehicle was still inside his vehicle when it stopped moving; the motorcyclist was nearby but outside, said Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Larry Coggins.

Because of the extreme damage to the SUV, investigators were able to conclude that the motorcyclist was driving at an extremely high rate of speed.

This is just one of the many fatal accidents that have occurred on U.S. 19.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our sections on Automobile Accidents and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

I-4 Car Crash Involves More Than 50 Vehicles

Joe Saunders — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:39:55 GMT

An early morning car crash on I-4 in Polk County involved more 50 vehicles and at this point, an undetermined number of crash fatalities. The crash occurred as a result of heavy fog combined with a controlled burn that got out of control. The hazardous combination of fog and smoke from the fire reduced visibility to zero. I wonder why Interstate 4 wasn't closed down prior to the crash. Authorities knew about the controlled burn and should have been aware of the potential for fog. Perhaps, if the highway had been closed, this tragedy could have been avoided.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Rash of Auto Crashes Ring in Tampa Bay New Year

Joe Saunders — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:38:22 GMT

Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay area was home to many auto crashes over the holiday weekend. Some of the car crashes to be fatal. In spite of increased police patrols on Tampa Bay roadways, the incidents of DUIs and serious car crashes continued unabated. In Oldsmar, a 39 year old Palm Harbor man was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle. The name of the decedent has not been released at this time. However, the high rate of speed and the fact that he was not wearing a helmet were contributory causes to the fatality. In Tampa, a pedestrian was killed Bernard Hunter, 61, was headed west across Nebraska Avenue north of Fletcher Avenue about 12:20 a.m. when he was hit by Julie Plaza-Rodriguez, 28, the driver of a 1994 Chevrolet station wagon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Man Crushed in Tampa Car Accident

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:55:49 GMT

A man was killed in a car accident in Tampa on Sunday. A man was working on his van while it was parked in a driveway of a residence. He placed the car in reverse and it hit the car that was parked behind the van, which then struck the victim.

The victim

was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital, authorities said. The death appears to be accidental, deputies said.

The two men both lived in the house. The accident is being investigated by they Tampa Police Department. This car accident illustrates the need to always be aware of your surroundings when placing a car into drive or reverse.

If you would like to learn more about car accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Car Accident information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Nine Year-Old Killed in Float Accident in Plant City

Jenny Albano — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:22:27 GMT

A nine-year old boy was killed after he was run over by a float in the Plant City Christmas parade on Friday night, December 7. Apparently, the float accident occurred near the end of the parade route.

The boy, who has not been identified to the press, was walking on the parade route handing out candy for the Greater Heights Worship Center float. He went back to the float to grab more candy to pass out and his leg got caught in one of the float's wheels. He was unable to free himself and the float ran him over.

The boy was taken to the South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City where he was listed in extremely critical condition. Unfortunately, the boy's injuries were to severe and he was unable to be saved.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Automobile Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Tampa Car Accident Kills Man

Shannon Weidemann — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 15:24:42 GMT

A man driving a car through the streets of Tampa was killed in an accident involving a utility pole. The car accident happened on Wednesday morning. No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The police believe that the car rolled over once before coming to rest.

Police say a a car hit a wooden power pole just before 1 a.m. The man driving was killed at the scene.
Police say a male passenger was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. Police say it appears he was ejected from the car.

The accident is still being investigated. It is unknown if the man was wearing a seatbelt or if alcohol or drugs contributed to the accident. The utility pole was broken down the middle and needed to be repaired or replaced.

If you would like to read more about car accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Car Accident information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Man Killed After Stopping to Help at Car Accident Scene

Shannon Weidemann — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:58:38 GMT

A 29-year-old married father of two children died after leaving his car to help at the scene of an accident in Tampa on Interstate 75. The car accident happened early on Sunday morning. He was hit by a car that hit one of the cars from the original accident.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, one driver rear-ended another, causing one of the cars to roll over.
Two other cars pulled over to help, and when one of the drivers got out, he was struck by a car and killed.

The accidents are being investigated and charges are pending against the driver that struck the Good Samaritan. He was prounounced dead at the scene of the accident. The 23-year-old driver that hit him had a long record of driving violations.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Teen Survives Twice Hit-and-Run

Courtney Mills — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:04:13 GMT

A sixteen-year-old was run over twice by passing cars on Sunday night in Land O' Lakes and survived. Michael Mauritzen was walking after hours on Thys Road Sunday night when the right mirror of a passing minivan struck him in the back, knocking him right off his feet and ripping the mirror off the van.

Michael was then run over completely by a Ford Taurus as he lay on the ground writhing in agony. Although the driver of the minivan never stopped, the Ford Taurus driver actually backed up to assess the situation, realized what she had done, then sped away.

Mauritzen sustained a broken leg, hip, pelvis, nose, and collar bone in the car accident. A car stopped right after the Taurus sped away and phoned 911, who sent a rescue helicopter.

Mauritzen is recovering at St Petersburg's Bayfront Medical Center. Despite all that has passed, the teen remains upbeat.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Courtney Mills