On September 25, 2015, a motorcyclist and his passenger on Gandy Blvd in Pinellas County, were struck by a driver that failed to observe the motorcyclist approaching. The Tampa woman received a verdict of $10.6 Million for the injuries she sustained after an impaired driver struck the motorcycle she was a passenger on and ejected her off of the motorcycle. Although she was wearing a motorcycle helmet, she suffered life altering brain, neck, back, eye socket, and jaw injuries. Formerly a dancer and nursing student, she was forced to stop nursing school and move into her father’s home for a life time of living assistance.
A verdict in the amount of $281,103 was entered in favor the motorcycle driver. The male driver of the motorcycle suffered a fractured ankle which will require surgery in the future.
The Defendant driver admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages before driving and was arrested for DUI. However, because of insufficient evidence obtained to prosecute the case, the Office of the State Attorney for Pinellas County dropped the charges against the driver of the at-fault vehicle.
Tampa Attorney Martin Hernandez of the Law Firm of Martin Hernandez PA, LLC sued the at-fault driver and stated that “impaired drivers who injure others on the roadways need to be held responsible for the carnage and injuries they cause to their victims.” Furthermore, because this judgment stemmed from an event that was alcohol related, this judgment is not dischargeable in bankruptcy and the Defendant’s driver’s license will be suspended for 20 years or until the judgment is satisfied. Tampa Attorney Martin Hernandez can be reached at 813.755.9500 or found on the web at: www.InjuryLawyersOfTampa.com
