Ken Amos, Esq. and William Gula, Esq. (St. Petersburg, FL) tried an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim in Pinellas County before Judge Linda Allan. Our firm represented GEICO General Insurance Company.
This case involved a rear end collision. The Plaintiff was robbed at the accident scene where the perpetrator/tortfeasor fled the scene with her cell phone. She was able to testify that she was terrified and shocked from the experience. The perpetrator/tortfeasor was caught about a half mile down the road, where his vehicle came to rest in a small ditch near some bushes. The Plaintiff’s vehicle had a few scratches on the bumper but no damage to the structure. The actual parts replaced for the Plaintiff’s vehicle totaled $35.00. The Plaintiff testified that there was a loud bang and then she exited her vehicle and witnessed the property damage on the tort vehicle.
Shortly after the accident the Plaintiff began to experience “bee like stinging” sensations to her left side of her neck radiating into the left upper extremity down her arm into her wrist. She had $48,000 in past medical bills. She presented evidence that she needed future care in the amount of $184,000 and wanted past and future pain and suffering ranging from $400,000-$500,000. Her total damages presented to the jury were $634,000-$734,000.
After two hours and 45 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of GEICO in the amount of $5,000 for past medical bills with no future medicals, no permanency and no pain and suffering.