Oakland Park Jury Finds Negligence in Intersection Crash

On March 10, 1998, a plaintiff's vehicle was involved in a collision at the intersection of W. Oakland Park Boulevard and N.W. 27th Avenue in Oakland Park, Florida. The incident involved a vehicle owned by defendant Scene Stealers Design and driven by defendant Peirats. The plaintiff alleged the defendant driver ran a red light, while the defendant driver claimed the light was yellow. The plaintiff also pursued a claim against their uninsured/underinsured motorist carrier, defendant United Services Automobile.

The legal proceedings addressed liability for the collision and the extent of the plaintiff's alleged injuries. Experts in neuropsychology, neurology, and chiropractic testified on behalf of the plaintiff, while the defense presented testimony from experts in orthopedic surgery and neuropsychology.

A jury ultimately determined that the defendant driver was negligent and that this negligence was a legal cause of damage to the plaintiff. The jury also found that the plaintiff sustained a permanent injury as a direct result of the accident. Prior to the verdict, the defendant driver had offered $25,000, and the plaintiff's UIM carrier had offered $501. The plaintiff had demanded $10,000 from the UIM carrier and $52,500 from the defendant driver and vehicle owner. Following the verdict, defendant United Services Automobile filed motions for a new trial and a collateral source set-off.