Lantana, Florida Jury Awards Damages in Rear-End Collision

In January 1996, a vehicle operated by the plaintiff was rear-ended at the intersection of W. Lantana Road and Andrew Redding Road in Lantana, Florida. The defendant driver admitted liability for the collision. Following the accident, the plaintiff filed a claim against their uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance policy, held with Defendant Allstate, to recover for alleged injuries and damages.

The legal dispute centered on the nature and extent of the plaintiff's injuries and the appropriate compensation. The plaintiff presented expert testimony from orthopedic surgery and radiology specialists to support their claims. Conversely, the defendant insurer called its own orthopedic surgery and radiology experts, who offered differing opinions on the plaintiff's injuries. Prior to trial, the defendants offered $15,100 to settle the case, while the plaintiff sought $23,000.

After the proceedings, a verdict was rendered, though the specific amount was not detailed in the record. The defendants subsequently filed a motion for a new trial, which the court denied. This denial indicated that the original verdict stood, favoring the plaintiff's position on damages.