Alachua County Jury Finds No Permanent Injury in Rear-End Collision

A motor vehicle collision occurred on January 4, 2022, at the intersection of SW 16th Avenue and South Main Street in Gainesville, Florida. A plaintiff driver alleged a defendant driver, operating a vehicle owned by a defendant medical supply company in the course of employment, rear-ended her vehicle. The plaintiff driver claimed injuries, and a plaintiff spouse sought loss of consortium damages.

The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Alachua County, Florida, alleging negligence against the defendant driver and company. They also brought an uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits claim against an insurer, which was later voluntarily dismissed. The plaintiff spouse subsequently dismissed his claims. At trial, the court granted the plaintiff driver's motion for a directed verdict as to liability. However, the jury found that the plaintiff driver did not sustain a permanent injury. The plaintiff later filed motions seeking to tax costs and for attorney fees, citing the defendants' failure to admit liability.