Orlando Car Accident Lawyers Report on Verdict Against Drunk Driver
We find it encouraging that a jury awarded a Ft. Myers woman more than $180,000 in damages for injuries and losses she suffered as a result of a drunk driver. Equally significant, after hearing that the defendant driver who caused the car accident was a three-time convicted drunken driver, jurors added over $50,000 in punitive damages to punish him and to deter others from driving drunk.
This trial demonstrates the efforts of our civil jurors to do the right thing. It is reported that during last year’s trial, the defendant denied he was drunk, saying he had only one beer that morning. He testified he had passed out due to a medical condition. That jury rejected that position and found his story without merit. In this recent trial the defendant admitted that he was drunk, had passed out and didn’t remember the crash. As reflected in the verdict, the jury did not allow the defendant to escape unpunished.
As far as impact, during the punitive phase, the fact that the plaintiff could demonstrate that the defendant had three DUI convictions was significant. However, perhaps the jury was even more effected by the fact that the defendant had been ordered to attend drunk driving school more than once, did so , but apparently did not learn his lesson.
The three-man, three-woman jury deliberated nearly 4-1/2 hours Friday before awarding Ruch $18,626.71 for past medical bills; $30,000 for future medical bills; $6,440 in lost past wages; $75,000 for past pain and suffering; and $50,000 for future pain and suffering. This of course was in addition to the punitive damage award.
