Case Background
This legal dispute began following a driving lesson that took a dangerous turn in Orange County, Florida. Taylor Landry, a student driver at the time, filed a lawsuit against her instructor, Maria Torres, and the driving school, United Safety Council, Inc. The case moved through the Florida Court system for several years before reaching a final resolution in early 2026.
Cause
The incident happened on May 5, 2017. Taylor Landry had been operating a student vehicle with Maria Torres acting as her instructor. While Landry was driving, she spotted a pile of debris in the road ahead. As she attempted to steer the car around the obstacle, Torres reportedly grabbed the steering wheel. This action forced the vehicle to strike the debris rather than avoid it.
Injury
Landry claimed that the impact caused significant physical injuries to her body and extremities. She alleged that these injuries were permanent or continuing, leading to ongoing disability and physical impairment. The legal filings also noted that the accident aggravated her pre-existing conditions and caused her significant mental anguish and a loss of capacity to enjoy life.
Damages Sought
In her complaint, Landry sought compensation for a wide range of losses. These included past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, and a decreased ability to work in the future. She also asked for damages to cover her physical pain, mental suffering, and the long-term impact of her injuries on her daily life. The lawsuit sought damages in excess of $30,000.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The litigation lasted several years as both sides prepared for trial. The defense challenged every major claim made by Landry, eventually leading to a jury trial to decide who was truly at fault for the accident.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Taylor Landry
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Gregory S. Berry of Armour Law Group, PLLC
· Experts for Plaintiff(s): Peter Brockman | Brian Lee Patterson | Mitchell Supler | Michael Visconti | Katie Hohman | Kristen Spear | Melissa Valentin-Jimenez | Shahir Aiad | Chintan Desai | Raam Sambandam | Eugene Melvin | Keyne Johnson | Julio Paez | Fortune Alabi | Arelis Cordero Gomez | Clay Nordquist | Edgar Martorell | Javier Placer | Stuart L. Silverman | Nayyar Islam
Defendant(s): Maria Torres | United Safety Council, Inc.
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Stephen W. Browning of the Law Office of Peter J. Delahunty
· Experts for Defendant(s): Richard Lee Shure | Frederick Reed Murtagh
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
Landry’s legal team argued that Maria Torres had a duty to ensure the vehicle was operated safely. They contended that by grabbing the steering wheel, Torres acted negligently and directly caused the crash. Because Torres was working for United Safety Council at the time and using their vehicle, the Plaintiff argued that the school was also responsible for her injuries.
Defense
The Defendants denied that they were negligent or responsible for Landry’s injuries. They argued that if any negligence occurred, it was Landry’s own fault or the fault of third parties, such as those responsible for maintaining the road. They also suggested that Landry’s medical issues were actually the result of pre-existing conditions rather than the 2017 incident. Furthermore, they claimed that Landry’s medical bills were neither reasonable nor necessary.
Jury Verdict
The trial concluded on January 29, 2026. After hearing the evidence, the jury deliberated and returned a verdict entirely in favor of the Defendants.
The Jury’s Findings
When asked if Maria Torres had been negligent in a way that caused Landry’s injuries, the jury answered "NO." Following the instructions on the verdict form, because the jury found no negligence on the part of the instructor, they did not proceed to calculate damages or assign percentages of fault to the other parties.
The Final Judgment
On February 21, 2026, Circuit Judge Tanya Davis Wilson signed the final judgment. The Court ruled that Taylor Landry would take nothing from the lawsuit. Maria Torres and United Safety Council were cleared of all liability. The Court did, however, reserve the right to handle future matters regarding attorney’s fees and legal costs.
Court Documents
