Motor Vehicle Accident

In a landmark negligence case, Briana Booth successfully held two drivers accountable for a violent multi-vehicle collision on Avenue L in Lancaster, California. The crash, involving Booth’s Honda Accord, a Jeep Cherokee, and a Chevy Silverado, left Booth with life-altering physical impairments and profound emotional trauma. Following a multi-week trial, a jury found that defendants Samantha Delano and Linda Fowler had failed to maintain proper control of their vehicles, creating a "trap" on the roadway. The jury awarded a staggering $32.5 million in total damages, specifically earmarking $22 million for future non-economic losses to address the permanent impact on Booth's quality of life. An amended judgment later added over $14 million in prejudgment interest, emphasizing the severe consequences of shared negligence in California traffic accidents.

The legal battle between Felicia Williams and Mildred Laseca concluded in late 2025 following a three-year dispute over a January 2022 motor vehicle collision. Williams alleged that Laseca breached her duty of care by ignoring a red light at the intersection of NW 67th Avenue and NW 167th Street, resulting in a side-impact crash. While the defense argued that Williams contributed to her own injuries by failing to wear a seat belt and neglecting to mitigate damages, the jury ultimately found Laseca’s negligence to be the legal cause of the accident. The jury’s decision hinged on the assessment of physical trauma. Although Williams claimed the accident caused permanent disability and mental anguish, the jury determined that she did not sustain a permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability. Consequently, the final award focused strictly on economic losses rather than future pain and suffering. The court entered a final judgment for $102,000, covering $40,000 in past medical expenses and $62,000 in lost earnings.

The incident occurred when Kole Fahey attempted an unprotected left-hand turn toward Cortona Drive. Although a passenger in the vehicle, Akash Jayaraj, spotted the scooter, Kole Fahey failed to see Ladao before initiating the turn. Consequently, the vehicle struck Ladao at approximately 30 mph. The impact of the collision threw Ladao to the ground, resulting in immediate physical trauma. He sustained a knee injury and a cut lip during the fall. Beyond these initial wounds, Ladao alleged significant long-term bodily and dental injuries.

Following a 2022 motor vehicle collision in Miami Gardens, Jorge Baez filed suit against Jabari Shelton for negligence. The Plaintiff alleged that Shelton operated a 2021 Mercedes Benz recklessly, leading to a crash that caused permanent bodily injury, mental anguish, and a loss of earning capacity. On December 15, 2025, a Miami-Dade jury returned a verdict in favor of Baez, finding that he had indeed sustained a permanent injury. The jury awarded a total of $1,463,590, which included over $1.3 million specifically for future pain and suffering. Judge Antonio Arzola finalized the judgment on January 13, 2026, adding statutory post-judgment interest to the recovery amount.

The legal dispute between David Michael Bailey and defendants Kayla Nicole Duncan and Duncan Mechanical Services, Inc. concluded on January 9, 2026, in Orange County, Florida. The case stemmed from a May 2021 collision where Bailey’s stopped vehicle was struck by a vehicle operated by Duncan and owned by the defendant corporation. Although Bailey alleged he suffered permanent physical impairment and chronic pain, the defense focused on the lack of long-term severity. After reviewing the evidence, the jury found the defendants liable for Bailey's immediate medical needs and awarded $80,000.00 for past medical expenses. However, the jury determined that Bailey did not sustain a permanent injury, which prevented any additional awards for future medical care or non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

On the night of October 14, 2021, James Douglas was driving his family southbound on I-95 in Stratford, Connecticut, when their vehicle collided with a car driven by Travis Henry. Douglas, along with passengers Alayshia Tedder and minor Jah’Layshia Douglas, filed suit in 2023, alleging that Henry had abruptly drifted into the center lane without warning. The plaintiffs sought damages for significant physical injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages. However, the defense argued that Douglas was actually the negligent party, citing excessive speed and a failure to maintain his own lane under prevailing weather conditions. After a full trial in the New Haven Superior Court, the jury returned a defense verdict in November 2025, finding no liability on the part of Henry or the vehicle owner, Christie Panton.

In February 2023, Ignacio and Geneva Duran were traveling through an intersection in Arcadia, California, when their vehicle was violently struck by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department vehicle. The plaintiffs alleged that the driver, Anthony Trinh, had negligently entered the intersection against a red light while on duty. The high-impact collision resulted in significant physical injuries, mounting medical expenses, and loss of income for the couple. While the County initially denied liability and offered numerous affirmative defenses—including claims of government immunity and contributory negligence—the parties ultimately reached a resolution. The legal battle concluded in April 2025 when the County agreed to a $60,000 settlement to compensate the Durans for their pain, suffering, and financial losses.

In May 2022, Carlos Garcia Guerra was driving near the intersection of Palmdale Boulevard and 90th Street East in Littlerock when a vehicle owned by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works struck him. The county vehicle, operated by employee Jeffrey Wilson, allegedly failed to use reasonable care, resulting in a high-impact collision. Guerra filed a lawsuit in December 2022, citing significant physical injuries, property damage, and a loss of future earning capacity. While the County of Los Angeles presented over twenty legal defenses—including claims that Guerra was partially at fault—the parties moved toward a resolution before reaching trial. In April 2025, the legal teams finalized a $100,000 settlement to compensate Guerra for his medical expenses and the disruption to his life caused by the accident.

Telesia Telsee sought justice after a routine drive turned into a traumatic collision involving the San Francisco Police Department. On July 12, 2022, while Ms. Telsee attempted a lawful left turn into a driveway, Officer Robert Spencer Brown bypassed traffic by crossing into the oncoming lane without his emergency lights or sirens activated. The resulting impact totaled Ms. Telsee’s vehicle and caused severe injuries to her head, neck, and back. Although the city initially denied the claim for lack of information, the police department's own investigation found the officer at fault for speed and passing violations. To avoid a jury trial, the City and County of San Francisco agreed to a $125,000 settlement to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering.

A Jacksonville nonprofit museum won a partial verdict against an auto repair shop after a rare 2001 Lotus Esprit Twin Turbo suffered repeated mechanical failures and damage during a years-long repair dispute. The jury found Eurospec made misleading statements about completed repairs but rejected negligence claims. Jurors awarded $11,067.36 under the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act after the collector car broke down four times within blocks of the shop between 2017 and 2018.

Bryn Miller filed a lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco and Officer Anthony Montoya following a severe collision at the intersection of 20th and Folsom Streets. On a rainy night in March 2023, Miller was cycling with proper safety gear when Montoya, operating a city-owned Ford Explorer, turned directly into her path. The impact threw Miller over her handlebars, resulting in serious physical trauma and a lingering fear for her life. An investigation found the officer at fault for failing to yield the right-of-way. To resolve claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, the City agreed to a $95,000 settlement.

This legal action emerged from a two-vehicle crash that took place on May 20, 2021, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Dorka Morales had been driving her car south on East Main Street when she encountered a city-owned street sweeper. According to the legal complaint, Luis Antonio Rodriguez had been operating an Elgin city sweeper in the same direction when he suddenly and without warning pulled out into the street, leading to a collision. The Plaintiffs alleged that Rodriguez failed to keep a proper lookout and neglected to give any signal before moving into the path of traffic. The defense argued that Morales was responsible, claiming she attempted to pass the street sweeper in a "no passing" zone while its caution lights were flashing. Following a trial in November 2025, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Defendants, awarding no damages to the Plaintiffs.