Auto Accident – Vicarious Liability

The Peterson Bernard team obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial involving a motor vehicle accident in Palm Beach County. The plaintiff claimed the defendant, who was driving a shuttle bus for a rental car company, violated her right of way while defendant was making a left turn into the Palm Beach International Airport. The defendant denied liability and claimed the plaintiff ran a red light. 

The rental car company was also sued for vicarious liability as the owner of the shuttle bus. The plaintiff suffered a fractured femur as a result of the accident, requiring two surgical procedures, and also claimed injuries to her back and neck. Medical bills totaled in excess of $100,000 and the plaintiff asked the jury to award over $500,000 in damages. 

The case was tried on the issues of liability and damages and the jury returned a verdict in forty five minutes finding no liability on behalf of the defendants.