A Florida jury awarded two women a combined $1,139,000 after a City of Miami police detective rear-ended their stopped vehicle in traffic, causing injuries that required ongoing medical treatment. The verdict, secured by Attorney Bill McAfee of Anidjar & Levine, sent a clear message: government employees who cause crashes on public roads are held to the same standard of care as any other driver.
The Crash: Stopped Lawfully, Struck Without Warning
The collision traced back to 2018. The two women were in their vehicle, stopped in traffic to allow a Florida Highway Patrol trooper to execute a lawful right turn on red. While stationary and complying fully with traffic conditions, their car was struck from behind by a City of Miami detective operating a city-owned vehicle.
The impact was forceful. Both occupants sustained injuries that would follow them for years after the crash.
Two Plaintiffs, Two Different Injury Profiles
The jury evaluated the cases of both women separately, and the awards reflected the distinct nature of each plaintiff's injuries.
The first woman required ongoing medical treatment as a direct result of the crash. Evidence presented at trial included injections to manage her pain and address injury-related symptoms, with medical testimony directly linking that treatment to the collision. The jury awarded her $999,000.
The second woman presented a more legally nuanced situation: she had a documented preexisting back condition prior to the crash. Trial evidence established that the rear-end impact aggravated that condition, producing increased pain and functional limitations beyond her prior baseline. The jury reviewed medical records and supporting testimony before awarding her $140,000 for the aggravation of her preexisting injury.
The combined verdict totaled $1,139,000.
Why Preexisting Conditions Don't Disqualify Injury Claims
Defense attorneys frequently argue that plaintiffs with prior injuries cannot recover for crash-related harm. Florida law rejects that reasoning.
Under the "eggshell plaintiff" doctrine, defendants take victims as they find them. A driver who causes a crash is responsible for the full extent of the harm they caused, including any aggravation of a preexisting condition. The jury in this case applied that principle, finding the detective's negligence responsible for worsening the second plaintiff's condition even though she had prior medical history.
This outcome is a useful data point for Florida personal injury attorneys evaluating cases where insurance carriers try to use a client's medical history as leverage to minimize or deny a claim.
Government Drivers Are Not Above the Law
One of the notable dimensions of this case is the identity of the at-fault driver. The defendant was not a private citizen but a City of Miami police detective operating a city vehicle. McAfee's presentation at trial focused on the fundamental legal principle that professional status does not reduce a driver's duty of care on public roads.
"This verdict holds government drivers accountable and reflects the real impact this crash had on our clients," McAfee said in a statement following the verdict.
Cases involving government defendants often carry additional procedural requirements in Florida, including pre-suit notice obligations under Florida's sovereign immunity statutes. Successfully navigating those requirements and securing a jury verdict against a government employer requires attorneys with specific trial experience in this area.
Major Verdict tracks plaintiff trial results across Florida and all 50 states, including verdicts involving government defendants. Florida plaintiff attorneys can explore verdicts in their practice area through Major Verdict's Florida personal injury resources.
Find a Plaintiff Lawyer Who Has Been to Trial
If you were injured in a crash involving a government vehicle, a commercial driver, or any negligent motorist, the attorney you choose matters enormously. Major Verdict exists to help you research lawyers by their actual trial record, not just their marketing.
Browse Florida plaintiff attorneys on Major Verdict to find lawyers who have taken cases to verdict and won.
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