Case Background
This personal injury lawsuit arose from a two-vehicle collision that took place on March 20, 2019, in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. Plaintiff LaTanya Wilson filed the complaint on May 5, 2020, against Miranda Contracting, LLC, and its employee Michael Lloyd Davis, alleging negligence and vicarious liability. The case was tried before a jury in the Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. After more than five years of litigation, the jury delivered its verdict on October 14, 2025.
Cause
On March 20, 2019, a motor vehicle collision occurred on North Lane Avenue near the intersection of Stuart Avenue in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. Michael Lloyd Davis operated a 2013 Ford F-150 pickup truck owned by Miranda Contracting, LLC, and struck a 2017 GMC Acadia driven by LaTanya Wilson. Both vehicles were traveling southbound at the time of the crash. Wilson alleged that Davis negligently operated and maintained the pickup truck, which caused the collision.
Injury
Wilson claimed she suffered bodily injuries as a direct result of the crash. She reported pain and suffering, physical disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, and a diminished capacity to enjoy life. She also alleged the collision aggravated a previously existing medical condition. Wilson stated that she required hospitalization, medical care, and nursing treatment following the accident. She further claimed the injuries were either permanent or continuing in nature and that she would experience ongoing losses into the future.
Damages Sought
Wilson filed the complaint on May 5, 2020, seeking damages in excess of $30,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorneys' fees. She demanded compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Wilson requested a jury trial on all issues.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: LaTanya Wilson
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Michael P. Moran | Nicholas Edward Concilla | Michael Patrick Moran | Grant Reilly Gillenwater | Timothy S Moran
· Experts for Plaintiff: Robert John Kowalski | Mark S. Frisk | J. Rody Borg | John Roberts | Richard Boehme | Adam Francis | Christopher Roberts | Syed Asad | Mark Timken | George Vega | Andrew Cannestra | David Doward | John Hegarty | Mark Emas | Stephen Fierro
Defendants: Miranda Contracting, LLC | Michael Lloyd Davis
· Counsel for Defendants: Patrick J. Snyder | Sean Michael Egan | Shawn Ryan Carmical | Christopher Derek Walsh | Tyler Jay Pettingill
· Experts for Defendants: Michael J. Foley | Charles L Proctor | Matthew Lawson
Claims
Wilson brought two counts against the Defendants. Under Count I, she sued Davis directly for negligence. She alleged that Davis negligently operated or maintained the 2013 Ford F-150 pickup truck, which resulted in the collision with her vehicle. She claimed the crash caused bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, lost wages, and the aggravation of a pre-existing condition.
Under Count II, Wilson sued Miranda Contracting, LLC, on a theory of vicarious liability. She alleged that Miranda Contracting owned the truck Davis drove, controlled the vehicle, employed Davis, and that Davis was acting within the course and scope of his employment at the time of the crash. Wilson further argued that Miranda Contracting was responsible under Florida's dangerous instrumentality doctrine because it owned the vehicle and gave Davis either express or implied consent to operate it.
Defense
Miranda Contracting filed its Answer and Affirmative Defenses on July 22, 2020. The company denied all allegations of fault and liability not specifically admitted. It acknowledged that it owned the subject vehicle and admitted it gave consent for Davis to operate the truck. However, it denied allegations of negligence and denied that Wilson's injuries resulted from the accident.
Miranda Contracting raised seven affirmative defenses. First, it argued that Wilson was comparatively negligent, including that she failed to use available safety equipment and failed to act in a reasonably safe manner. Second, the defense claimed entitlement to a set-off for any compensation Wilson received or may receive from collateral sources. Third, it asserted that Wilson's claims did not meet the threshold required under the Florida Automobile Reparations Reform Act, citing Florida Statute 627.737. Fourth, Miranda Contracting invoked all defenses available under the Florida Tort Reform and Insurance Act, including those related to apportionment of damages and joint and several liability. Fifth and sixth, the defense argued that the accident did not cause all of Wilson's claimed injuries and that her damages were instead the result of pre-existing medical conditions unrelated to any act by the Defendants. Seventh, it contended that the incident neither caused new injuries nor aggravated any pre-existing conditions.
Jury Verdict
The case proceeded to a jury trial in the Circuit Court of Duval County. On October 14, 2025, the jury returned its verdict. The jury was asked whether the negligence of Defendant Michael Lloyd Davis was a legal cause of loss, injury, or damage to Plaintiff LaTanya Wilson. The jury answered "No."
Because the jury found that Davis's negligence was not a legal cause of Wilson's claimed losses, the verdict form instructed the jury not to proceed further. The jury did not reach the questions regarding the total amount of medical expenses, whether Wilson sustained a permanent injury, or the amount of damages for pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life. The jury thus returned a defense verdict in favor of Miranda Contracting, LLC, and Michael Lloyd Davis, awarding no damages to the Plaintiff.
Court Documents
