OVERVIEW

Millions of car accidents occur each year, causing personal injury and property damage. The law permits accident victims to seek compensation that restores them as best as possible to the same position as before the accident. Florida is one of the few states in the nation to adopt a limited "no fault" system for car claims, one that can be complex to navigate without help of a knowledgeable attorney.

• A female college student was the belted, front seat passenger in a car hit from behind on the interstate. She suffered C5 vertebral compression fracture that was surgically treated with a C4-6 fibular graft and anterior cervical plate fixation. Five months post-surgery, the young woman suffered from constant neck pain, decreased range of motion, headaches and scalp numbness. It was determined that she had 25 percent permanent partial impairment. Sam King represented the young woman, negotiating a settlement of $750,000.00.
  
  
• An intoxicated young man ran a red light, causing a horrific T-bone collision with a retired husband and wife who were making a left turn on a green arrow. The force of the crash totaled both vehicles. The husband sustained significant, life altering injuries, including a fractured hip, femur and clavicle; a crushed scrotum and multiple rib fractures. His wife suffered a fractured ulna and required ongoing treatment for pain in her arm, neck, back and right shoulder. The young man's insurance carrier made no effort to appraise the couple's totaled vehicle or resolve the property damage claim. Ken McKenna represented the couple and negotiated an $800,000 consent judgment from the driver and pursued a bad faith claim against his auto insurer that resulted in a $600,000 settlement.
  
  
• DWKM&R represented a woman who suffered disfiguring burns over a majority of her body when her car was struck from behind by another vehicle, exploding the gas tank and engulfing her car in flames. The case settled for $10 million.
  
  
• A car accident resulted in permanent injuries to this DWKM&R client. The accident occurred when a man ignored a stop sign and drove into the path of an oncoming car. The driver of the oncoming car veered to avoid collision, striking a third car operated by our client. The injury sustained by our client included a fractured pelvis, soft tissue injuries, numerous lacerations and permanent scarring. DWKM&R negotiated a settlement of $326,000, including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses and pain and suffering.
  
  
• DWKM&R represented a married couple who suffered injury when a limousine driver negligently crossed the center line of traffic directly in front of their car. The wife, who suffered a fractured kneecap requiring two surgeries, could not return to work and faced limited employment opportunities in the future. The husband suffered a fractured wrist. For years, the couple was denied compensation because neither the limo driver nor his employer was insured. Through persistent discovery efforts, DWKM&R learned that the limousine was owned by a New Jersey bank that had leased the vehicle in Florida. The bank was held liable for the accident under Florida's vicarious liability laws at the time, but refused to settle. The case proceeded to trial, but after the jury heard testimony, the bank's insurance company settled before a verdict was rendered. DWKM&R negotiated settlements of $350,000 for the wife and $55,000 for the husband that will allow the couple to pay their medical expenses, recoup lost earnings and provide some level of comfort in the future.