Silva v. Caldero: Jury Verdict in CT Rear-End Collision Case
Table of Contents
Case Background
The legal proceedings began when Cleber Barbosa Silva filed a civil lawsuit against Roberto Caldero in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Hartford. The case, identified by docket number HHD-CV23-6175993-S, centered on a motor vehicle accident that took place in early 2023. Following the initial complaint, the parties engaged in a discovery and pleading process where the Defendant denied liability and raised several special defenses. The matter eventually proceeded to a jury trial to determine if the Defendant’s actions constituted negligence and if those actions caused the Plaintiff's reported losses.
Cause
The dispute arose from a traffic collision that occurred on March 16, 2023, at approximately 10:48 a.m. in West Hartford, Connecticut. Cleber Barbosa Silva operated his vehicle in a southerly direction in the right lane of New Park Avenue. Simultaneously, Roberto Caldero drove in the same direction but occupied the left lane, positioned directly in front of the vehicle operated by Silva. Silva alleged that Caldero suddenly and without any warning entered the right lane. This maneuver caused Silva’s vehicle to strike the rear of Caldero’s car. The impact forced Silva to veer further to the right, where he hit a curb and finally came to a stop in a nearby driveway at 585 New Park Avenue.
Injury
Cleber Barbosa Silva claimed that the collision resulted in multiple physical injuries, some of which he believed might be permanent. He specifically reported suffering from persistent neck pain and back pain following the accident. Beyond these localized physical symptoms, Silva documented experiencing broader physical and mental pain and suffering. These conditions allegedly hindered his ability to engage in his standard daily activities and prevented him from enjoying his usual lifestyle. Consequently, he sought compensation for medical expenses, diagnostic tests, and therapy required for his recovery.
Damages Sought
Silva requested monetary compensation for the financial burdens caused by the crash. He sought to recover large sums of money he had already spent on hospital visits, various medical treatments, and pharmaceutical needs. His claim also factored in the cost of future medical care that his injuries might require. In his formal "Statement of Amount in Demand," Silva declared that the total damages he sought were in excess of $15,000, excluding interest and Court-related costs.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Cleber Barbosa Silva
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Garrett M. Moore, Sr. | Garrett Moore, Jr.
· Experts for Plaintiff: Miguel Colan | Thezlay Alpizar
Defendant: Roberto Caldero
· Counsel for Defendant: Timothy R. Scannell | David M. Block
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
The Plaintiff’s legal team argued that the collision occurred solely because Roberto Caldero operated his vehicle negligently. They presented several specific violations to support this claim.
Inattentive Driving and Lack of Control Silva’s attorneys alleged that Caldero failed to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles and did not maintain reasonable control of his car. They argued that he was inattentive to his surroundings at the moment of the lane change.
Statutory Violations The claim asserted that Caldero violated several Connecticut General Statutes, including failing to drive in the proper lane and making an unsafe lane change without first ensuring the move could be made safely. They also noted that he failed to use a turn signal.
Speed and Warning Failures Additional arguments suggested that Caldero drove at a speed greater than what was reasonable for the road conditions. Furthermore, the Plaintiff claimed Caldero failed to sound his horn to warn Silva of the impending danger.
Defense
Roberto Caldero denied the allegations of negligence and instead contended that Silva was the party responsible for the accident.
Comparative Negligence The defense argued that Silva’s own negligence was the proximate cause of his injuries. They claimed he failed to keep a proper lookout and was inattentive while driving.
Failure to Maneuver Safely Caldero’s counsel suggested that Silva failed to apply his brakes in time or steer his vehicle properly to avoid the rear-end collision. They specifically alleged that Silva followed the lead vehicle too closely in violation of state law.
Jury Verdict
The trial concluded in late 2025 before the Honorable Robert Young. After reviewing the evidence regarding the lane change and the subsequent rear-end impact, the jury deliberated to reach a final decision.
On December 19, 2025, the jury returned its verdict. The jury found in favor of the Defendant, Roberto Caldero, and against the Plaintiff, Cleber Barbosa Silva. Although the verdict form included sections to calculate percentages of liability and specific dollar amounts for damages, these sections remained blank because the jury decided the case entirely for the defense.
With this decision, the jury denied Silva's claim for damages, and the legal matter concluded in favor of Roberto Caldero.