Jacksonville Jury Finds Permanent Injury in Rear-End Collision

On July 3, 2005, a passenger in a vehicle traveling north on Shindler Drive at its intersection with Bellrose Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida, was involved in a rear-end collision when an uninsured motorist struck the vehicle. The plaintiff, a passenger in the vehicle, subsequently filed a claim against an insurer, alleging coverage under an uninsured motorist policy. The insurer admitted the uninsured motorist's negligence caused the collision but disputed that the plaintiff sustained a permanent injury as a result of the incident and contested the amount of recoverable damages.

The case proceeded to a nine-day trial, where both sides presented expert testimony. The plaintiff's experts included professionals in accident investigation, mechanical engineering, neurology, radiology, neuropsychology, internal medicine, and life care planning. The defendant presented experts in neurology, neuroradiology, and psychiatry to support its position that the plaintiff did not suffer a permanent injury from the collision.

A jury, composed of four males and two females, deliberated for approximately four-and-a-half hours. The jury determined that the plaintiff did sustain a permanent injury or the permanent aggravation of a pre-existing condition with a reasonable degree of medical probability as a result of the collision. Post-trial motions were pending following the verdict.