Lakeland Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

A 52-year old Winter Haven, FL woman was killed when the vehicle she was driving rolled over her, killing her.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, at approximately 4:15 p.m. on the evening on February 14, 2013, Elizabeth Wells Alexandre, of Douglas Fraser Towers, 745 Ave. A S.W. in Winter Haven, FL, was attempting to park her 2001 Ford Explorer when the vehicle began to roll out of the parking space.

Winter Haven Police Department reports indicate that Alexandre attempted to stop the vehicle from rolling out of the parking area.  The vehicle struck Alexandre, pushing her to the ground.  The SUV continued to to travel, eventually running Alexandre over and pinning her underneath the vehicle.  As the vehicle continued, the SUV carried Alexandre down a grassy embankment and, finally, came to rest on a sidewalk.

Alexandre was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

According to KidsandCars.org, over 60% of backing up incidents involve a larger size vehicle like a truck or SUV.  Predominantly, children are more likely to be killed in a backup/rollover accident than adults due to the lack of visibility when backing out of a parking spot or driveway.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 2400 children are treated in emergency rooms yearly as a result of these types of accidents.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

A single vehicle crash on Interstate 4 in Lakeland, FL, claimed the life of one man and injured six other people when a vehicle flipped over and ejected two passengers.

According to the Tampa Bay Times and the Lakeland Ledger, at approximately 2:45 p.m. on the afternoon of March 2, 2013, Rachel Wallace, 19, of Mulberry, FL, was driving her 2000 Kia Sportage headed west on Interstate 4 just past the Branch Forbes exit in Lakeland, FL.

Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate that the left rear tire of Wallace’s SUV blew out, causing her to lose control of her vehicle. Reports indicate that Wallace attempted to regain control of her vehicle, in turn, causing the SUV to travel into the grassy median, slammed into the guardrail and, eventually, flipping over and landing upside down on the opposite side of the median.

As a result of the crash, two people were ejected from the vehicle.  One of those passengers, Donnell Devonte Smith, 18, of Lakeland, FL, was transported from the scene of the accident and taken to Tampa General Hospital where he later died as a result of the injuries that he sustained in the accident.  Wallace along with her other passengers: Jesse Woods III, 16, and Jabari Woods, 15, both of Bartow,FL;  Donnell R. Smith, 1, of Mulberry, FL; and Madeline Florance, 38, of Temple Terrace, FL, were all transported to local medical facilities as were listed in serious condition at the time of the report.  It is unclear who the second passenger ejected from the vehicle was.

Both Wallace and Florance were reportedly wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.  One year old Donnell Smith was also properly restrained in a car seat at the time of the accident.   All the other passengers in the vehicle were unrestrained.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Polk County Fire and Rescue crews were called to a house fire that was reported at approximately 2:05 a.m. on the morning of February 27, 2013.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, reports came in to 911 that the house at 4501 Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road, in Lake Wales, FL.  Initial reports stated that the house was completely engulfed in flames.  When fire and rescue workers arrived at the scene, they were able to recover the body of 79-year old Elaine Haring Ottmer in the far east bedroom of the home.  She was the only known resident of the home.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports indicate that an autopsy has been completed and there are no signs of trauma unrelated to the house fire.

Division of Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the house fire for the origin of the fire and the cause for the blaze.  It was noted that it took 10 firefighters 2 hours to control the fire due to the amount of personal belongings inside the home.  It is also unknown how long the house was on fire due to the lack of visibility of the house from the main road.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that in 2011, 370,000 civilian fires were reported nationally.  Of these fires, 2,520 deaths were recorded.  They also report that 92% of all civilian structure fire deaths resulted from home structure fires.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

An 18-year old male was killed when his vehicle left the roadway in Wahneta, FL, crashing into trees on the side of the road.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, Zackery Ziegler, 18, of West Maggie Drive in Bartow, FL, was driving his 2002 Isuzu SUV headed west on State Road 60 in Wahneta, FL when his vehicle began to leave the roadway.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports indicate that his SUV drove through the median and then across the  two westbound lanes of State Road 60 in Wahneta, FL.  Ziegler’s vehicle continued to travel off the roadway and slammed into two trees.

Ziegler was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.  It was unsure at the time of the report on whether or not Ziegler was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

The Department of Transportation reports that when you compare fatal crashes that drivers aged 15-24 are involved in, 75% are ROR (Run Off Road) crashes. Drivers 15 to 24, had the highest percentage of ROR crashes as compared to any other age group.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

A 26-year old driver was killed when driving the wrong way on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg, FL.

According to Fox News and Channel 10 News, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on the evening of March 3, 2013, Florida Highway Patrol responded to a head-on collision involving 1991 Infiniti M30 that collided with a 2001 Toyota Solara on southbound Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg, FL.

Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate that Constantine Chaconas, 26, of Palm Harbor, FL, was driving his 1991 Infiniti M30 headed northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 275 approaching the 22nd Avenue North exit in St. Petersburg, FL.  Chaconas slammed into the left-front end of a 2001 Toyota Solara being driven by Eugene Liddy, 73, of Sarasota, FL.

As a result of the crash, Chaconas’ vehicle became airborne, flipping upside down and coming to rest on its hood.  Chaconas was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Liddy, the driver of the Toyota Solara, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, FL where he was treated for the injuries he sustained in the accident.  He was listed in serious condition at the time of the report.

Investigators were unsure if alcohol played a factor in the accident when the accident was reported.

According to the 2011 Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Report published by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Pinellas County recorded 1,114 alcohol-related/suspected crashes in 2011.  The same report states that Pinellas County logged 112 fatalities in that same year.  Of those 112 reported fatalities, 51 of them are listed as alcohol-related/suspected.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Lakeland Police Department officials are still trying to put the pieces of an early February crash that took that lives of two people.

According to the Lakeland Ledger and TBO.com, at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 2013, a green Lamborghini being driven by Jessica Beene, 24, of Kissimmee, FL, was heading west on University Boulevard in Lakeland, FL.  For unknown reasons, the Lamborghini left the roadway and went traveling through the grass median that separates the opposite lanes of traffic.

Lakeland Police Department officials are reporting that when the Lamborghini crossed over the median, it traveled into the eastbound lances of the road and directly into the path of a 2013 Nissan being driven by Chi Yan Chan, 43, of St. Petersburg, FL.

The impact of the two vehicles was so forceful, that both vehicles suffered significant damage, the Lamborghini essentially breaking into thousands of pieces.

Both Beene and her passenger, Samuel Hampton, 24, of Winter Haven, FL, were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  Both later perished as a result of the injuries they sustained in the accident.  Chan, the driver of the Nissan, was also taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was treated for life-threatening injuries.  Tan P. Phan, 22, of Pinellas Park, FL, was the passenger in the Nissan at the time of the accident and was treated for non-life threatening injuries and later released.

The United States Census reports that, in 2009, of the 2,558 traffic crashes recorded for that year, 535 of them were reportedly the result of high speed crashes, 134 of them occurred at rates of 55 mph or higher.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Both drivers and two children involved in a head on collision in Winter Haven were all taken to the hospital and are expected to recover when a utility van crossed the center line striking a woman and her two children.

According to NewsChief.com, at approximately 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, Jessica Baker, of Winter Haven, FL, was driving her 2005 Chevrolet Suburban headed west on Recker Highway in Winter Haven, FL.

Winter Haven Police Department reports indicate that, for unknown reasons,  Randy Witzel, 53, of Auburndale, FL, was driving his 2002 GMC cargo van headed east on Recker Highway in Winter Haven, FL, when he left the roadway and crossed over the center line of the highway.  The reports state the Witzel’s cargo van hit Baker’s Suburban head-on, sending the van into some trees that are located on the north shoulder of the roadway.  The impact of the crash pinned Witzel in the driver’s side seat of the van.

Baker’s Chevrolet was sent into the south shoulder of the same highway; where her vehicle suffered major body damage losing the driver’s-side front wheel at the axle,and  taking the brake disk and a tie rod as well.

Baker was transported from the scene of the accident by helicopter and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where she was admitted into their trauma center. Witzel, the driver of the van, was also transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  Both drivers were expected to have surgery and were listed in serious condition at the time of the report.

The Department of Motor Vehicles reports that the state of Florida recorded 2,563 fatalities as a result of 2,372 traffic crashes in 2009.  They also report that 338,633 drivers were involved in traffic crashes in 2009.  They do state that the number of traffic crashes that are reported each year is decreasing each year.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 2013, when a 48-year old motorcyclist lost control of his motorcycle and left the roadway.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, William C. Brancke, 48, was driving his 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle headed south on Scott Lake Road in Lakeland, FL.  Reports indicate that as Brancke approached the intersection at Fitzgerald Road in Lakeland, FL, he lost control of his motorcycle in a left hand turn in the road. Brancke reportedly jumped a curb and continued down a sidewalk until he struck a metal fence.

Brancke was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and suffered a severe head injury as a result of the crash.  Brancke was transported from the scene of the crash and taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he later died as a result of his injuries.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Florida accounts for 9% of all motorcycle rider deaths across the United States.  Florida does not require motorcyclists who carry a minimum of $10,000 of medical insurance.  The number of fatalities that have been recorded in the state of Florida suggests that helmet use is an important topic that should be reevaluated.  Between 1997 and 2001, the number of fatalities reported in the state of Florida has increased by 50%.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

A retired Hillsborough County jail deputy died in late November when he struck an oncoming car causing a deadly head-on collision.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, at approximately 5:00 p.m., on the evening of November 24, 2012, Wade Weatherman, 85, of Tampa, FL, was driving his 2005 Chevrolet Colorado headed north of N. Boulevard in Tampa, FL.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports indicate that, for unknown reasons, Weatherman crossed over the center line on N. Boulevard near Noreast Lake Drive, south of Lake Magdalene in Tampa, FL, crashing head-on into a 2006 Toyota Corolla.  The Toyota was being driven by Karen Cozart, 30, of Tampa, FL.

Weatherman was transported from the scene of the accident to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, FL, where he was later pronounced dead as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Cozart, who had two passengers in her vehicle, was not hospitalized and only sustained minor injuries.

According to the Traffic Crash Statistics Report 2010 published by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida saw a 4.6% decrease in the number of fatalities recorded as a result of car accidents.  Florida posted 2,444 fatalities in 2010 compared to 2,563 fatalities listed in 2009.  The 2010 fatalities were a result of 2,261 fatal car accidents that year.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

One woman was killed and 5 other people were injured when two cars collided in Polk County, FL in early January.

According to NewsChief.com and TBO.com, at approximately 6:00 p.m. on the evening of January 6, 2013, a 2005 Chrysler van being driven by Alberto Vega, 41, of Poinciana, FL, was headed eastbound on Lake Marion Creek Road in Poinciana, FL.  The van being driven by Vega, collided with a 1995 Volvo station wagon that was being driven by Jessica Rodriguez, 35, of Kissimmee, FL.

At the time of the report, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were still trying to put the pieces of the accident together.  When reported, they were unsure of the direction in which Rodriguez’s vehicle was traveling at the time of the incident.  The crash occurred at the intersection of Lake Marion Creek Road and Poinciana Parkway  in Poinciana, FL.

Rodriguez, the driver of the Volvo, was transported for the scene of the accident to Heart of Florida Hospital where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.  Rodriguez also had three passengers in her car at the time of the crash.  Sherly Rosado Rosario, 33, of Kissimmee, FL, was also transported to Heart of Florida Hospital where she later died as a result of her injuries.  Edna Rosado, 52,  and Carmen Rosario, 51, were both transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center.  Rosado was later listed in critical condition and Rosario was listed in stable condition.

Vega, the driver of the Chrysler van, along with his passenger, Maxwell Vega, 15, were both taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.  The elder Vega was listed in critical condition upon his arrival at the facility.  Maxwell Vega was treated for non-life threatening injuries and later released.  Both Vegas were not wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a Tampa injury lawyer with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Tampa, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida. Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Central and Southwest Florida. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured and is seeking an injury lawyer in Tampa, Florida, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.