Florida Rear-End Collision Settles for $65,000

On October 19, 2002, a driver was involved in a rear-end collision while stopped at a red light at the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and N. Birch Road in Florida. The vehicle that struck the driver was operated by an underinsured motorist. The driver, referred to as the plaintiff, maintained an uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy with the defendant insurance company at the time of the incident.

The plaintiff subsequently filed a claim against the defendant insurer to recover damages under the UM/UIM policy. The case proceeded to trial on the issue of damages only. A neurologist testified for the plaintiff, while an orthopedic surgeon and a radiologist provided expert testimony for the defendant. The parties ultimately reached a settlement agreement. The plaintiff received $65,000, which included $10,000 from the tortfeasor's policy and $55,000 paid by the defendant insurer. The defendant had previously offered $100,000 during the trial phase. A motion to tax costs and attorney's fees was pending based on non-binding arbitration at the time of the report.