Norma I Velez Rivera  vs. Leidimar C Lopes

Case Background

On March 20, 2023, Plaintiff  Norma I Velez Rivera  filed a Car Accident Case in the Florida State, Broward County, Seventeenth Circuit Court(Case number: CACE23005659 ). David Haimes presided over this case.

Cause

On February 19, 2023, a significant motor vehicle collision occurred on W. Atlantic Boulevard in Broward County, Florida. Leidimar C. Lopes drove eastbound and caused a crash that dramatically altered the life of Norma I. Velez Rivera. Lopes failed to yield appropriately and collided with the vehicle in which Velez Rivera was a passenger.

Investigators and legal documents revealed critical failures in Lopes’s driving. She did not maintain a proper lookout, drove at an unreasonable speed, and failed to react in time to prevent the collision.

Injuries

The car accident caused substantial harm to Norma I. Velez Rivera. Medical documentation revealed severe consequences beyond immediate physical trauma. Velez Rivera suffered permanent and ongoing bodily injuries that disrupted her life. The collision resulted in:

  • Extensive physical pain and suffering
  • Significant medical treatment needs
  • Hospitalization expenses
  • Long-term medical care requirements
  • Possible aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions

Damages

Velez Rivera pursued a legal strategy to recover damages resulting from the accident. The lawsuit demanded compensatory damages exceeding $50,000, excluding attorney’s fees and costs. The recovery aimed to cover:

  • Medical treatment expenses
  • Ongoing and future medical care
  • Pain and suffering
  • Potential lost wages
  • Long-term rehabilitation costs

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Norma I Velez Rivera
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: John C Sullivan Jr | Ira Combs III
  • Defendant(s): Leidimar C Lopes
    • Counsel for Defendants: Paul R. Pecaro | Jennifer C. Thompson | Joseph Nicholas  Cole

Claims

The legal complaint outlined Lopes’s negligence during the incident. Specific allegations included her failure to exercise ordinary, reasonable care while driving. Lopes violated fundamental driving responsibilities by:

  • Exceeding safe speed limits
  • Failing to observe surrounding traffic
  • Neglecting to stop before impact
  • Driving without adequate situational awareness

Defense

On July 24, 2023, Leidimar C. Lopes filed a comprehensive defense in the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Broward County, Florida. Lopes denied most of the claims in the original complaint, admitting only jurisdictional details.

The defense presented multiple affirmative arguments to reduce or bar the Plaintiff’s recovery. Key strategies included:

  • Challenging the Plaintiff’s contributory negligence
  • Investigating third-party negligence possibilities
  • Leveraging Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law to limit damages

Lopes’s legal team questioned Velez Rivera’s role in the incident, including her seat belt usage and failure to mitigate damages. They invoked Florida Statute 768.81 and comparative negligence principles to minimize liability. Additionally, the defense explored insurance policy provisions, third-party involvement, and statutory considerations under Florida law. By demanding a jury trial, Lopes’s defense signaled its full commitment to contesting the claims and pursuing a favorable legal outcome.

Jury Verdict

On December 6, 2024, the jury determined that both Leidimar C. Lopes and Hector Manuel Santana were negligent. Their actions caused loss, injury, and damage to the Plaintiff, Norma I. Velez Rivera.

The jury assigned 65% of the negligence to Lopes and 35% to Santana. Based on their findings, the jury awarded $78,040.80 to Velez Rivera for medical expenses resulting from the negligence in a Car accident case.

Court Documents:

Documents Available for Purchase upon Request