Miami Jury Awards $150K in Dump Truck Crash Injury Case
Table of Contents
Case Background
On the night of February 6, 2022, a violent collision at a Miami intersection set the stage for a personal injury lawsuit that reached trial more than three years later. Precious C. Baker had been driving her Hyundai Sonata northbound on NW 12th Avenue. As she crossed the intersection at NW 116th Street, a southbound commercial dump truck driven by Nancy J. Padilla turned left in front of her, cutting across her path. Padilla failed to yield the right of way, causing a direct T-bone collision that spun Baker’s car into a residential fence.
The impact caused immediate physical and emotional trauma. Padilla fled the scene without offering help or calling emergency services. Two days later, authorities located her. She admitted to fleeing and received a traffic citation for leaving the scene. Baker, burdened by mounting medical bills and emotional distress, filed a lawsuit against both Nancy Padilla and Nelson O. Padilla, who owned the dump truck.
Cause that led to the legal dispute
The crash happened because Nancy Padilla made a negligent left-hand turn without yielding. Baker had the right of way and was lawfully traveling through the intersection. Testimony showed that Padilla neither signaled nor slowed her truck before turning. Her actions violated Florida traffic laws. Baker attempted to avoid the crash, but the dump truck struck her vehicle’s side with full force. Her complaint cited Padilla’s failure to operate the truck with caution, failure to yield, and reckless disregard for other drivers on the road. Padilla’s choice to flee added weight to the charge of negligence.
Injury suffered
The collision left Baker with lasting physical and emotional injuries. She reported ongoing neck and back pain that limited her movement and daily activities. Her injuries required regular medical treatment, including follow-ups and therapy. Psychological experts linked her emotional struggles panic, sleeplessness, and heightened anxiety to both the impact and the trauma of being abandoned at the crash site.
Medical professionals later confirmed that her physical injuries were permanent. Baker also reported that her emotional condition worsened over time. She struggled to return to her previous routine and claimed that the crash reshaped her personal and professional life.
Damages Incurred
Baker’s damages covered past medical expenses, anticipated future treatment, and compensation for past pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. The largest portion addressed the future effects of her injuries, including emotional distress, reduced enjoyment of life, and any aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The jury declined to award damages for lost income, finding her earning capacity unaffected.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
At trial, Baker’s legal team focused on the reckless nature of Padilla’s driving and her decision to flee. They told the jury this was not a minor lapse in judgment but a clear violation of law and human decency. Counsel presented medical records, psychological evaluations, and personal testimony to show that the crash had inflicted long-term damage on Baker’s life physically, emotionally, and financially.
The defense accepted that the crash occurred but disputed the scale of Baker’s suffering. They argued she was speeding and had not acted fast enough to avoid the crash. They questioned whether her injuries were entirely caused by the incident, suggesting that some pre-existing conditions played a role. They also accused her of overstating her emotional distress and pointed to gaps in her treatment records. The defense challenged the necessity and cost of her medical care and argued that she failed to meet Florida’s legal threshold for emotional damages.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Precious C. Baker
Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Keith Chasin
Defendant(s): Nancy J. Padilla | Nelson O. Padilla
Counsel for Defendant(s): Alberto Ramos Zorrilla | Kimberly I Nunez | Richard Bec
Key Arguments by Counsel
During closing arguments, Keith Chasin reminded the jury of the facts: Nancy Padilla made an illegal turn and then abandoned the crash scene. He emphasized the emotional harm caused by being left alone after a violent collision and asked the jury to weigh the impact of those moments on Baker’s life. He described the crash as a turning point that brought not only physical pain but lasting psychological harm.
Alberto Ramos Zorrilla, speaking for the defense, acknowledged the accident but urged the jury to look closely at the extent of Baker’s injuries. He argued that her emotional and physical complaints were not fully supported by evidence. He claimed her injuries were less severe than presented and questioned the link between the crash and her current condition. He also suggested Baker bore some responsibility due to her driving speed and reaction time.
Claims Asserted
Negligence:
Baker alleged that Nancy Padilla operated the dump truck negligently by failing to yield and turning into oncoming traffic, violating traffic laws and causing the crash.
Vicarious Liability:
Baker brought a claim against Nelson O. Padilla, the registered owner of the dump truck. She argued that he had allowed Nancy Padilla to drive the vehicle and was therefore legally responsible for her conduct under Florida’s vicarious liability rules.
Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress:
Baker claimed the crash, along with Padilla’s failure to stop or help, caused severe emotional trauma. She said this distress triggered physical symptoms, especially her back and neck pain.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress:
In a separate claim, Baker argued that Padilla’s decision to flee was so cruel and reckless that it went beyond ordinary negligence. She asked for punitive damages, stating that the act showed disregard for human life.
Defense Arguments
Nancy and Nelson Padilla denied all liability. They claimed that Baker contributed to the crash by speeding and not acting fast enough to avoid it. They argued that her medical treatment was unnecessary and that her emotional trauma didn’t meet Florida’s legal standards for recovery. They also suggested that her symptoms stemmed from conditions she already had, not the crash. As part of their defense, they raised issues about her failure to reduce damages, whether she wore a seatbelt, and whether she had already received benefits from insurance that should offset any award. Most importantly, they argued that she did not suffer a permanent injury as defined by Florida law.
Jury Verdict
On April 30, 2025, the jury found in favor of Precious C. Baker. They determined she had suffered a permanent injury and was entitled to damages totaling $150,066.60. This amount included medical expenses and compensation for emotional pain and suffering, both past and future. The jury declined to award anything for future lost income, signaling that while her injuries were real, they did not prevent her from earning a living. The verdict closed the case with a clear acknowledgment of both physical harm and emotional trauma, holding Nancy and Nelson Padilla responsible under Florida law.