Million-dollar cases may not seem that way at first glance.
For a woman in her 30s driving through an intersection in Gainesville with her boyfriend and young son, it was an ordinary day. That is, it was ordinary until another driver ran a red light and violently T-boned their vehicle. The impact spun their car into a light pole, leaving it totaled. In an instant, a routine drive became a life-altering collision.
With damage to their vehicle and multiple parties inside the vehicle injured, our client knew she needed legal representation. That’s when she reached out to Farah & Farah to discuss her legal options. Jacksonville car accident attorney Andrew Scott led the charge for this mother’s case.
With a strategic approach to building strong evidence and challenging defenses, we helped secure a $1.25 million settlement. See how our attorneys work to maximize the value of the case for every client we serve
Clear Liability, But Injuries That Evolved Over Time
The liability was evident from the beginning. Multiple witnesses confirmed that our client had the green arrow, and the at-fault driver even admitted that she did not know what color the light was when she entered the intersection.
Establishing fault is important because, as of March 2023, Florida shifted to a modified comparative negligence system, meaning that if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for your auto accident, you are legally barred from recovering any damages from the other party.
With the liability clearly established, Andrew Scott and his team initially submitted a strong but fair settlement proposal to the insurance defense team, which allowed it to expire. Our client’s continued treatment, culminating in surgery, provided the crucial documentation needed to underscore the seriousness of the injury. A new settlement figure was sent, initially met with silence. However, armed with medical experts, overwhelming medical evidence, and the undeniable liability, all confirming the legitimacy of our client’s injuries and the full value of our demand, the insurance carrier was eventually compelled to negotiate.
Injuries That Take Time to Develop
The sheer extent of our client’s medical records would show just how serious this accident was. With cervical and lumbar herniations and shoulder tears, she was in serious pain. However, as most people are, our client was hesitant to undergo surgery.
Despite treatment, her pain persisted as the trial approached. Approximately six months before the scheduled October trial date, she decided to move ahead with the neck surgery she needed. Shortly thereafter, she required shoulder surgery as well.
While it can be a hard decision to make, having all of the records of those procedures confirmed the severity of her injuries. Anyone who has surgery knows that it means you’ll never quite be the same. Because of this accident, our client’s future would be forever altered, thus increasing the case’s long-term value.
Advocating for Persistence in Treatment & a Relocation
During the litigation process, our client found herself relocating from Gainesville, Florida, to Swainsboro, Georgia, a rural area with limited access to specialized medical care. Continuing treatment required traveling nearly two hours to Savannah. Being in pain and still dealing with damage to her vehicle, she relied on others to drive her to appointments. She did all of this while balancing remote work at a call center, where sitting for extended periods and holding a phone aggravated her neck and shoulder pain.
It would have been easy for someone to decide it was all just too much, give up, and stop treatment under those circumstances. Instead, with encouragement from her legal team, she stayed committed to her recovery plan. As Attorney Andrew Scott explained, “educating clients is central to the firm’s approach.” The decision to pursue surgery relied on obtaining clarity, weighing pros and cons, and moving forward with the best treatment option for her unique circumstances. Ultimately, properly addressing injuries that had not been resolved with conservative care aimed to provide healing and recovery to move on with her life. The surgeries ultimately strengthened the medical evidence regarding causation and permanency.
Challenging a Flawed Defense Examination
The insurance carrier initially handled the matter internally before referring it to outside counsel. As part of its defense strategy, the company retained a medical examiner who was a general orthopedic physician who had not performed a spinal surgery in years. The defense’s reliance on this specific expert was a crucial factor in the determination of whether the insurance carrier should cover the plaintiff’s medical expenses in this case.
During deposition, it became clear that the defense’s medical examiner had not reviewed key MRI films and relied on a superficial evaluation. Our team challenged these weak opinions, in turn, strengthening our case and showing how we use the facts to get around defense tactics.
Meanwhile, our team assembled comprehensive expert support, including testimony from treating physicians, orthopedic spine and shoulder surgeons, radiologists, pain management providers, and a life care planner. As the October trial date drew closer, the exposure facing the defense grew substantially.
A Strategic Push Toward Policy Limits
Earlier in the case, the defense had received a settlement proposal but allowed it to expire. After the neck surgery clarified the seriousness of the injury, a new settlement figure was sent. Initially, there was no response.
However, as expert testimony solidified the long-term damages and trial costs mounted, the risk calculation shifted. With layered coverage that included $250,000 in underlying coverage and a $1 million umbrella policy, the available coverage created more opportunities to get our client the full amount she deserved. Shortly before trial, the carrier tendered $1.25 million in policy limits for our client.
Thankfully, our client’s son wasn’t seriously injured in the crash; however, they were shaken up, which shows the true extent of the “human costs” associated with every case we undertake.
Relief and Forward Momentum
When the case concluded, the client felt relief more than jubilation. She had been without reliable transportation since the crash and was navigating the challenges of shared custody of her son. The resolution allowed her to address medical bills, secure a vehicle, and move forward without the uncertainty of placing her fate in the hands of a jury.
Andrew Scott said, “Even a strong case carries risk because jurors must absorb complex medical testimony and make difficult decisions in a short period of time. My role with my client is to present options objectively, explain the risks and potential rewards, and allow clients to make informed choices about their case. In this instance, resolving the case at policy limits before trial provided both certainty and justice.”
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Minimize Your Injuries
Serious injuries do not always reveal their full impact in the first few months after a crash. Insurance carriers understand that and may rely on delay tactics, incomplete examinations, or narrow interpretations of medical records to reduce value. This is a common tactic. For our client, the insurance company initially downplayed her claim, arguing her injuries weren’t severe. As the full extent of her injuries became clear later, she was forced to file a lawsuit to get the compensation she deserved.
At Farah & Farah, every case is built from the ground up with careful medical documentation and trial preparation. Whether a case resolves before trial or in the courtroom, the strategy remains the same: develop the evidence, challenge weak defense opinions, and pursue the full value the law allows.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash, contact Farah & Farah for a free consultation and learn what your case may truly deserve.
