Motor Vehicle Accident

The lawsuit Ramirez v. Bennett (2020-CA-007627-O) stemmed from an August 17, 2019 motor-vehicle collision in Orange County, Florida. Plaintiff Maria Ramirez alleged Defendant Jonathon Bennett negligently caused the crash and sought compensation for permanent injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Bennett denied all allegations and argued comparative negligence, improper medical treatment, and collateral source reductions. The case centered heavily on whether the accident caused permanent injury under Florida law — a requirement for awarding non-economic damages. After years of litigation, extensive expert testimony, and contested medical evidence, the jury returned a full defense verdict on May 20, 2025. The jury concluded that Bennett’s actions were not a legal cause of loss, injury, or damage to Ramirez, eliminating the need for further findings on permanency or damages. As a result, no monetary award was issued, and Bennett prevailed completely.

In Hajrudin Mesic v. Mildre Pernia et al., a Duval County jury issued a substantial verdict following a 2022 motor vehicle collision. Plaintiff Hajrudin Mesic alleged that Defendant Mildre Roxana Florez Pernia negligently caused the crash, resulting in permanent and significant injuries. Mesic also pursued a claim against Auto-Owners Insurance Company for uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits. The jury found that Mesic suffered a permanent injury as a direct result of the collision. Based on the evidence and expert testimony presented, jurors awarded a total of $469,324, including $82,825 in past medical expenses, $287,616.50 in future medical care, $36,500 in past non-economic damages, and $62,383.50 in future non-economic losses. The defense arguments—challenging causation, arguing comparative negligence, and seeking offsets—were rejected. The verdict, signed May 9, 2025, represents a full win for the plaintiff and confirms entitlement to compensation for both economic loss and future anticipated medical treatment and suffering.

A Contra Costa County jury ruled in favor of Sherene Fearon in a motor vehicle negligence case stemming from a 2018 collision near I-680 in Danville. Fearon argued that driver Tammy Ault caused the crash through unsafe operation, while co-defendant Robert Nobriga was liable as the vehicle’s owner. Ault and Nobriga denied negligence and claimed Fearon shared blame. After trial, the jury found Ault negligent and responsible for causing Fearon’s injuries. They also rejected all comparative fault claims, assigning Fearon zero responsibility. The Court entered judgment in July 2025, including 10% annual interest until paid.

A jury ruled that Officer Devendra Persaud of the City of Orlando acted negligently when he entered a busy intersection against a red light with emergency lights but no siren, colliding with Brianna Becker’s vehicle. Despite establishing fault, the jury awarded Becker no damages for her alleged injuries, medical expenses, or loss of life enjoyment. The verdict reflected shared responsibility and emphasized statutory standards for emergency vehicle operation. Becker claimed the crash caused permanent injuries and aggravated pre-existing conditions, while the City argued she failed to yield and challenged the severity of her injuries. The outcome underscored how liability caps, comparative negligence, and emergency response protocols can limit recovery in municipal auto-collision cases.

A San Francisco jury ruled in favor of American Medical Response Ambulance Service, Inc. on April 24, 2025, concluding the company was not negligent in a 2022 vehicle collision involving plaintiff Adam O’Connor. The verdict ended deliberations at the first question on the verdict form, preventing any findings on causation, comparative fault, or damages. O’Connor had sought compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering stemming from an August 4, 2022 crash, which he claimed resulted from careless operation of an ambulance vehicle. The defense maintained that the ambulance operator acted safely and that O’Connor contributed to the collision. The jury’s finding that AMR bore no negligence effectively resolved the case in favor of the defendants.

A Miami-Dade jury awarded a total of $30,000 to Ruben Manzo and Greyce Pavon Martinez after finding both Brothers Painting of South Florida, Inc. and Manzo negligent in a 2021 traffic collision on SW 177th Avenue. The jury awarded each Plaintiff $15,000 for past medical expenses and found no permanent injury. Despite the jury’s findings, the court later entered Final Judgment for the Defendant after granting a post-trial motion, declaring Brothers Painting the prevailing party and reserving jurisdiction to address costs and attorney’s fees. The ruling closed the case in June 2025.

A jury in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Orange County, Florida, awarded $70,000 to Plaintiff Sheena Burrus in a negligence lawsuit stemming from a June 28, 2022 vehicle collision. The crash involved driver Edgar Alvarez, who operated a vehicle within the scope of his employment for Concrete America LLC. The jury found Alvarez negligent and held his employer vicariously liable under Florida law. The verdict included $10,000 in past medical expenses and $60,000 in future medical costs, reflecting the jury’s finding of permanent injury. The ruling, issued March 21, 2025, held the Defendants responsible for the lasting physical and financial harm sustained by Ms. Burrus.

A Miami-Dade County jury awarded $174,456 to Plaintiff Chantanell N. Williams in a negligence lawsuit arising from a vehicle collision involving Defendant Raphael Alexander Pichardo and others. The jury found the Defendants fully responsible for the crash and rejected arguments of comparative negligence and failure to mitigate. The award included medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages, affirming the Defendants' liability for the injuries and financial losses sustained by the Plaintiff. The verdict was issued on March 24, 2025.

A New Haven jury delivered a focused but decisive verdict for Plaintiff Eleanor Mikulski in her negligence lawsuit against driver Sunita Kelly and her employer, Columbus Chemists, LLC. The case stemmed from an April 12, 2022 rear-end collision on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, where Kelly, driving a company vehicle, struck the back of Mikulski’s Honda. Mikulski described significant lower-back injuries, including disc disease and interfacet arthrosis at L5-S1, which caused lasting pain, limited mobility, and financial strain. She alleged that Kelly failed to maintain a proper lookout, drove too fast for conditions, and did not provide any warning before impact. Although the Defendants admitted the crash occurred and acknowledged Kelly’s employment status, they denied negligence and challenged the severity and origin of Mikulski’s injuries. After hearing testimony from the Plaintiff’s medical experts, the jury found both Kelly and her employer liable. On November 7, 2025, the jury awarded Mikulski $4,858 for past medical expenses but declined to grant non-economic damages. The verdict confirmed negligence while limiting compensation to documented economic losses.

The civil action Frank Valles vs. Terrence Andra Cross et al. stemmed from a serious 2018 collision in Los Angeles involving an LAPD patrol vehicle. Plaintiff Frank Valles, a passenger in the police car, alleged that Officer Terrence Cross executed an unsafe left turn into oncoming traffic, causing a violent impact and significant injuries. The lawsuit held the City of Los Angeles vicariously liable under California Vehicle Code §17001 and the doctrine of respondeat superior. After extensive litigation, discovery, and negotiations, the City agreed to a $7,250,000 settlement, resolving all claims of negligence, liability, and damages.

This Connecticut Superior Court case centered on a June 26, 2022 collision on East Main Street in Meriden. Kenneth Wallen was driving east when Teresa Loncrini made a left turn across his lane and struck his vehicle. Wallen claimed she failed to maintain control, keep a proper lookout, or yield the right of way. He alleged knee and spinal injuries and sought compensation for medical costs, pain, and work limitations. Loncrini denied negligence and argued Wallen contributed to the collision by failing to react or warn her. After hearing both sides, a Middlesex jury returned a verdict on October 23, 2025, finding Loncrini 100 percent at fault. The jury awarded Wallen $11,502.75 in economic damages and $4,000 in noneconomic damages, for a total of $15,502.75.

A Contra Costa County jury found Steven Rowsey negligent for a 2019 crash on the Bollinger Canyon Overpass that injured Adrian Leyva. After hearing evidence on medical treatment, pain, and the long-term impact of the collision, jurors awarded Leyva $409,200. The verdict reflected both economic losses and significant noneconomic harm tied to the freeway collision.