Lakeland Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Three people, two of them police officers in Avon Park, in Polk County, FL were injured tonight in an accident on Cypress Gardens Boulevard, in Winter Haven, FL, Polk County, FL authorities stated.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Around 5:12 p.m. today, a red Mazda Miata driven by Bernice Nacrelli, 59, of Eagle Lake, in Polk County, FL was heading west on Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven, FL. She was attempting to turn south onto Lake Ruby Drive in Polk County, FL when her car collided with an eastbound Jeep Wrangler, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

The Jeep was driven by Jacob Andrew Bratten, 35, of Winter Haven, FL who was on his way to work in Avon Park in Polk County, FL where he is a sergeant with the police department. Bratten was ejected from the Jeep upon impact, and was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL where he remains in critical condition, the Winter Haven Sheriff's Office stated.

Lawrence Shnider, 41, of Winter Haven, FL a passenger in the Jeep, received an injury to his right leg. He was taken by ambulance to Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, FL where he is in stable condition. Shnider is an Avon Park, FL police officer and was on his way to work with Bratten.

Nacrelli received minor injuries. She also was taken to Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, FL and is in stable condition.

The accident remains under investigation, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

According to City-Data.Com, during 2008, there were a total of 3 fatal accidents reported in Winter Haven, FL. There were a total of 4 vehicles involved in fatal accidents in Winter Haven, FL, as well as, one fatal accident that was caused by a drunken driver. There was also a reported total of 4 fatalities in Winter Haven, FL during 2008. Of the reported fatal accidents, 8 people were involved which included 2 pedestrian's that were reported to have been involved in a fatal accident during 2008, in Winter Haven, FL.

A fatal accident can be a shocking an unexpected tragedy. Often times, fatal accidents claim the life of young victims. If your loved one has been killed in a fatal accident, talk to a lawyer immediately. Florida law limits the amount of time you have to file a wrongful death lawsuit

Merlin M. Hart, 74, of Avon Park, FL died Monday night of January 25, after his 2001 Volts Wagon Bug collided with a semitrailer in Polk County, FL according to the Florida Highway Patrol report.

According to Tampa Bay Online, Hart was eastbound on County Road 640, in Polk County, FL when the semitrailer, driven by Devon E. McPherson, 56, of Winter Haven, FL turned into his path from 5400 Garfield Road, in Polk County, FL according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Hart's car ran under the truck's trailer and came to a stop underneath, the Florida highway patrol report stated.

Hart was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, while McPherson was, according to the Florida Highway Patrol report.

Whether alcohol was a factor in the crash is pending the investigation's outcome.

Hart died at the scene from injuries he suffered in the accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 43,000 people killed in fatal car accidents each year in the United States. Roughly, 40 percent of the fatal crashes are alcohol-related. In addition to fatal accidents, about 2.9 million people are injured each year.

Failure to wear a seat belt contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety related behavior. About 63% of people killed in accidents are not wearing seat belts. Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing we can do to save lives and reduce injuries on America's roadways

Tania L. Rivas is an attorney who represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. The office is located at 274 W. Central Avenue, Suite C in Winter Haven, FL. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please call Attorney Rivas today to schedule your free consultation. There is no fee or costs unless you win.

A 33-year-old Lakeland man died in a two-car crash about 11 a.m. Monday, January 4 in North Lakeland, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Jason Daniell was driving south on U.S. 98, in Lakeland, FL in a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier. As he neared Duff Road, in Lakeland, FL Daniell made a left turn into a side road leading to a bank drive-through.

Daniell drove into the path of a 1994 F-350 being driven north on U.S. 98, in Lakeland, Fl by Benigno Lopez, 50, of Lakeland, FL.

Lopez and his passenger, Elena Lopez-McTarskey, 15, were injured. They were treated and released from Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Daniell died at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

According to a WDEF 12 2009 news article "

Lt. Charles Lowery, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, "A lot of the rural roads are curvy. Most of them are two lane so."

In my experience of as a personal injury attorney, practicing in Polk County, FL, I have seen a number of deadly collisions. As stated by Lt. Lowery, rural roads can be dangerous. I have especially seen this where the driver is from out of town and not familiar with the unique curving of the road.

A two-vehicle accident on Monday, January 25, in Lakeland, FL killed one man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Jeffrey Branam's 1997 Dodge Ram pickup truck was traveling south on Pit Road, in Lakeland, FL, which is a dirt road, on the northbound portion of the roadway. A 1981 Dorsey trailer was parked on the northbound portion of the roadway and Branam's left front-end of his truck collided with the left front of the trailer.

According to an Florida Highway Patrol report, the accident occurred on Pit Road, in Lakeland, FL just south of Cox Road, in Lakeland, FL.

Branam was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation.

According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) which is conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), there were approximately 120,000 fatal and injury crashes nationwide during the 33-month study period that involved at least one large truck; 141,000 large trucks were involved in those crashes from 2001- 2003.

Of the 141,000 reproted large truck crashes that occurred between April 2001 and December 2003, a total of 963 crashes involving 1,123 large trucks and 959 motor vehicles that were not classified as large trucks.Of the 963 crashes reported, 249 were crash fatalities and 1,654 were crash related injuries.

Trucking accidents are often serious crashes that result in fatalities. If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in a trucking accident, consult with a lawyer immediately to preserve your legal rights. Rivas Law Group, L.L.C. is a personal injury law firm, located in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Tania L. Rivas handles a variety of personal injury cases, including trucking accidents. Contact us for a free legal consultation.

A hit-and-run crash was reported shortly before 9 this morning on State Road 60, in Polk County, FL east at south county line Road near Mulberry, FL.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, two accidents were reported in West Polk County, in Polk County, FL shortly after 7 this morning, the Florida Highway Patrol stated.
There were no reports of blocked roads or of injuries.

The first accident was a hit-and-run crash with injuries which was reported around 7:30 this morning on Winter Lake Road, in Lakeland, FL, and Reynolds Road in Lakeland, FL the Florida Highway Patrol stated.

The road was not blocked. There was no report of injuries.

The second collison happened around the same time on State Road 33, in Polk City, FL about half a mile south of Van Fleet Road in Polk City, FL.

The road was not blocked. There was no report of injuries.

According to national government statistics, more or less than 11% of all motor vehicle accidents are hit and run incidents. This equates to almost 7,000 cases of hit and run accidents in the United States every year.

In a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA, the rate of hit and run accidents has increased by 15% from 1998 to 2002 all over the U.S. In certain states, such as California, the increase rate for such incidents is even greater

In my practice as a personal injury lawyer in Polk County, FL, I have represented many victims of hit and run accidents. Hit and Run accidents are a common occurrence. Many times, the offending driver is not identified. If the driver is unknown, the injured victim can pursue and uninsured motorist claim with his/her own automobile insurance.

Uninsured motorist coverage is that which compensates the injured victim when the at fault party does not have any insurance or the amount of his/her coverage is insufficient to compensate the victim. It is important to note that uninsured motorist coverage is optional in the State of Florida. If you do not carry uninsured motorist coverage on your policy, be sure to call your carrier today to purchase the highest amount of coverage you can afford. It's better to be safe than sorry.

A 68-year-old Winter Haven, FL man was killed and a 4-year-old child injured in a multi-vehicle collision Tuesday night near Auburndale, FL, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Milton Edward Jacobs was westbound in the center lane of U.S. 92, in Auburndale, FL, on the overpass in Auburndale, FL around 7 p.m. when he crossed the median and drove into the eastbound lanes, his truck then struck the left side of a vehicle driven by Gary Smith, 41, of Auburndale, FL, the Florida Highway Patrol report stated.

The impact knocked Smith's car, which was traveling in the center lane, into the path of a car driven by Christopher Terall McKnight, 19, of Winter Haven, FL who was behind Smith in the outside lane. McKnight's vehicle hit the guardrail before he took an evasive turn and crossed the median, going into the westbound lanes where it struck a vehicle driven by Carolyn Parsons, 33, of Winter Haven, FL who was traveling westbound in the outside lane, the Florida Highway Patrol report stated.

Jacobs was pronounced dead at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL. Kirra Parsons, 4, who was in Carolynn Parsons' vehicle, was taken to Tampa General Hospital, in Tampa, FL where she is in stable condition. Carolynn Parsons was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL and is in stable condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol report.

All other drivers received minor injuries.

Everyone involved in the accident was using a seat belt, the report said.

The accident remains under investigation.

According to the Florida Police Chiefs Association, during a crash, properly fastened safety belts distribute the forces of rapid deceleration over larger and stronger parts of the person's body, such as the chest, hips and shoulders. The safety belt stretches slightly to slow your body down and to increase its stopping distance.

The difference between the belted person's stopping distance and the unbelted person's stopping distance is significant. It's often the difference between life and death.

Rivas Law Group, LLC, is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Tania L. Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please call us immediately to schedule an appointment with Attorney Rivas. The consultation is free and you owe no fees or costs unless you win.

A 52-year-old Bartow man died as a result of injuries he received in a vehicle crash Monday, January 1, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Hubert L. Hagans, 52, of Weston Road in Bartow, FL had been traveling west on 91 Mine Road in Bartow, Fl around 6 pm in his 1991 Nissan when he collided with a 1997 Cadillac being driven by Christopher Scalici, 41, of Key Largo Court in Haines City, FL.

According to a Polk County sheriff's report, Hagans pulled into the path of the Cadillac, Scalici swerved but his car struck the Nissan on the driver's side door.

Hagans was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he died of his injuries a few hours later, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated. Scalici was transported to Winter Haven Hospital where he was treated and released.

Investigation into the accident is continuing, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

According to the 2008 Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles report, the reported fatalities as a result of traffic crashes on Florida roadways decreased from 2007 by 3,221 to 2,983 in 2008. As reported, 2008 is the third consecutive year that crash fatlities in Florida have decreased. Also, according to the report, state milage death rates decreased to 1.50 deaths per 100 million vehicles traveled in 2008, which is the lowest rate calculated for 2008.

According to the report, drivers ages 15 to 19, were involved in more traffic accidents than any other age groups and had more fatal crashes in the state of Florida. Drivers, ages 20 to 24, had the highest rate of alcohol-related accidents and within that age group, 21-year-old drivers had the highest involvement rate in all crashes and in fatal crashes involving alcohol in the states of Florida.

This report also examines the day and time of crashes reported in the state of Florida. Based on the data, the most traffic accidents occurred on Fridays during the 5:00 PM rush hour. The majority of fatal crashes happened on Saturdays during the 7:00 PM rush hour.

Pursuant to Florida law, survivors have a limited time to file a wrongful death claim. If your loved one has been killed in an automobile accident, be sure to hire a qualified attorney immediately. Rivas Law Group, LLC is a personal injury law firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims throughout Polk County, FL. Call us today at (877) 299-5539 for your free consultation!

The driver of an SUV died when his vehicle crossed a median, leading to a five-vehicle pileup on U.S. 92 in Winter Haven, FL the Florida Highway Patrol stated.

According to the Tampa Tribune, the wreck happened when Milton Jacobs, 68, of Winter Haven, FL was heading west on U.S. 92 in Winter Haven, FL and crossed the median into eastbound traffic near Sandy Lane, in Winter Haven, FL around 6:50 p.m., on January 3, the Polk County investigator's report stated.

Jacobs, driving a 2005 Dodge Durango, first hit a Dodge Charger driven by Gary Smith, 41, of Auburndale, FL and forced it into a 1992 Mercury sedan driven by Christopher McKnight that hit a guardrail, the report stated.

McKnight, 19, of Winter Haven, FL tried to avoid the collision and crossed the median into the westbound lanes, where his car hit a 2006 Saturn SUV driven by Carolynn Parsons, 33, of Winter Haven, FL.

After hitting the first car, the SUV driven by Jacobs continued west and hit a 1999 Plymouth sedan driven by Lawrence Denslow, 78, of Winter Haven, FL the report stated.

Kirra Parsons, 4, was in the Saturn, driven by Carolynn Parsons and was injured. She is in stable condition at Tampa General Hospital, the highway patrol said. Carolynn Parsons is in stable condition at Lakeland Regional Hospital.

Jacobs was taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital, where he died, the highway patrol said.

Everyone involved in the incident was wearing a seat belt, the highway patrol stated.

According to a 2005 Florida Highway Patrol news article, driving on Florida highways became busier, deadlier and more dangerous in 2004, according to an annual report released recently by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The number of cars, trucks, SUVs and vans on the road swelled in 2004 to more than 14,512,000, the Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Report said. In 2004, 2,936 crashes killed more than 3,250 people, an increase of 2.5 percent. "It's sad that people won't buckle up," said Lt. Bill Ferrell. "We've sold this for many, many, many years as a highway patrol that people buckle up because we know for a fact that seatbelts save lives."

Often times, it can be difficult to identify the negligent party in a pile up involving multiple vehicles. While one driver may have caused the initial impact, other drivers may also be a contributing cause to the crash. For this reason, it is imperative to seek legal counsel immediately. As a personal injury attorney practicing in Polk County, FL, I fight for the injured. If you or a loved one has been injured, please call us for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.