Miami Jury Concludes Wrongful Death From DUI Rear-End Crash
One driver rear-ended another vehicle while intoxicated. The driver of the struck vehicle died from injuries sustained in the collision. The intoxicated driver was convicted of DUI manslaughter.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Wrongful Death Injuries
Wrongful death claims arise when a car accident fatality is caused by another party's negligence. These cases compensate surviving family members for their losses and the decedent's pain and suffering.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $325,000
- County
- Dade County, FL
- Resolved
- 1997
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Wrongful Death
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $325,000 is below the median of $2,500,000 for wrongful death cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $640,000 to $10,900,000, based on 54 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In Miami, Florida, on January 10, 1995, a decedent's vehicle was rear-ended at the intersection of N.W. 7th Avenue and N.W. 71st Street. The defendant, who was intoxicated and traveling approximately 45 mph, was driving the striking vehicle. The decedent died on January 20, 1995, as a result of the collision.
The defendant later received a criminal sentence for DUI manslaughter stemming from the incident. Information indicated the vehicle driven by the defendant had stolen license plates and was registered to an individual in Tallahassee. The plaintiff's legal representative was reportedly attempting to obtain the vehicle's VIN to determine if it was stolen, which would inform potential civil claims for vicarious liability against the registered owner. Few details were available regarding a concluded civil case.
Understanding This Case
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Dade County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 1997, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome differs from typical similar cases
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