McCumber Daniels Wins Complete Defense Verdict For GEICO Insured Driver in Auto Negligence Case

McCumber Daniels is pleased to announce a recent defense verdict in favor of a GEICO Insured driver in an auto negligence case. In the case of Yudith Marante Rodriguez v. James Perkett, Albert M. Rodriguez and Mark B. Hartig tried the case on behalf of James Perkett over two days in Hillsborough County in front of the Honorable Marva Crenshaw. Michael Laurato and Ardyn Cuchel represented the plaintiff.

The defendant driver was alleged to have rear-ended the plaintiff on Hillsborough Avenue.  Due to the accident the plaintiff claimed soft-tissue cervical injuries that required more than $25,000 in medical treatment.

Plaintiff argued that the defendant driver was presumed negligent by the fact that he caused the rear end collision which required a directed verdict on the issue of negligence in the plaintiff’s favor.  Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Hartig successfully avoided the presumption of negligence and ultimately convinced the jury that the defendant driver’s collision with the plaintiff’s car was not the legal cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.

The jury deliberated only 15 minutes before returning a verdict in the favor of the defendant.  Currently there are pending motions for a new trial filed by the plaintiff as well as pending motions for attorney’s fees and costs on behalf of the defendant.