MOTOR VEHICLE

HILLSBOROUGH CIRCUIT COURT

A jury awarded damages to a bicyclist who was struck by an inattentive driver at an intersection north of Tampa.

In 2015, Ronny Ramos, 21, a student, was biking on Firecracker Drive. At a crosswalk, he was hit by a car turning left onto West Waters Avenue. He claimed a herniated disc, which permanently debilitated him despite nerve decompression surgery. Ramos alleged the driver, Angel Ramirez, failed to check for pedestrians or bicyclists at the crosswalk.

Counsel for Ramirez contended Ramos should have seen and avoided the car and should have been on the opposite side of the street to cross the avenue. The jury found Ramirez liable and awarded Ramos $495,042. Adding fees and costs and subtracting insurance, the net recovery was $885,417.

Case: Ramos v. Ramirez

Case No.: 15-CA-007634

Plaintiffs attorney: Omar F. Medina Jr., Medina Law Firm, Tampa

Defense attorneys: Melisa L. Bodnar and Kristen N. Taylor, Law Office of Glenn G. Gomer, Tampa