Case Background
Victoria Dare, also known as Victoria Zinycz, filed a lawsuit against The Standard Fire Insurance Company in the Superior Court, Judicial District of New Haven, at New Haven. Attorney Lawrence C. Sgrignari of Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, LLC signed the complaint on May 24, 2023, and the return date on the case read June 20, 2023.
Cause
The dispute traced back to a motor vehicle accident that took place on July 7, 2019, at around 3:15 p.m. Dare-Zinycz was driving a 2012 Honda CRV north in the right travel lane of Park Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and stopped at a red light near the intersection with Brooklawn Avenue. A separate driver, Jean Daniel Laurena, traveled in the same direction in a 2003 Toyota Corolla owned by Joseph Laurena, driving in the left lane near the same intersection. According to the complaint, Laurena drove at an excessive speed and steered his car from the left lane into the right lane, striking the rear of Dare-Zinycz's vehicle with great force.
The complaint accused Laurena of negligence on several fronts. It claimed he failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to sound his horn or otherwise warn Dare-Zinycz of the approaching collision, operated his car with defective or inadequate brakes, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, and failed to turn in time to avoid the crash. The complaint further alleged that Laurena violated Connecticut motor vehicle law under Section 14-80h by driving with faulty brakes and under Section 14-240 by failing to maintain a safe following distance.
Because the Laurena vehicle's own liability coverage fell short of what Dare-Zinycz needed to cover her injuries, she brought this claim directly against her own insurer, The Standard Fire Insurance Company, seeking underinsured motorist benefits. Her policy, bearing number OHG568-994927251-201-3, carried uninsured/underinsured motorist limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. The complaint stated that Dare-Zinycz met every condition required under the policy and had given Standard Fire proper notice and proof of her loss.
Injury
Dare-Zinycz suffered several injuries from the collision. The complaint described serious, painful, and permanent harm to her cervical spine, including a sprain of the neck ligaments that caused neck pain and transient paresthesia. She also sustained a contusion to her right forearm and a strain of the muscles and fascia in her lumbar spine, which led to low back pain. She reported ongoing pain, mental anguish, and nervousness, and she underwent physical therapy and other medical treatment. The complaint added that she was unable to perform her usual household duties as she had before the accident and lost the ability to enjoy daily activities the way she once did.
Damages Sought
In her statement of the amount in demand, Dare-Zinycz sought monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. The complaint also asked the Court for any other relief it deemed appropriate in law or equity.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Victoria Dare-Zinycz
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Lawrence C. Sgrignari
· Experts for Plaintiff: Antonio D’Aria
Defendant: The Standard Fire Insurance Company
· Counsel for Defendant: Talaiya M. Buffaloe
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
Dare-Zinycz argued that Laurena caused the crash through careless and negligent driving, and that his conduct left her with lasting injuries to her neck, back, and arm. Because the coverage available from Laurena's own policy could not fully compensate her, she turned to her own insurer for underinsured motorist benefits, arguing that Standard Fire owed her the difference between what she needed and what Laurena's policy could pay.
Defense
Standard Fire filed its answer on September 28, 2023. The company admitted that Dare-Zinycz had been driving her Honda CRV as described and admitted that it operated as a corporation authorized to do business in Connecticut. It also admitted, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, that the vehicle carried coverage through Standard Fire, that the policy paid for damages an insured could recover from an underinsured driver, and that Dare-Zinycz qualified as an insured under that policy. On the remaining allegations, including Laurena's negligence, the extent of Dare-Zinycz's injuries, whether Laurena's vehicle actually qualified as underinsured, and whether Dare-Zinycz had given proper notice of her loss, Standard Fire said it lacked sufficient knowledge and left her to prove those claims at trial.
Standard Fire also raised five special defenses. First, it argued that its policy capped underinsured motorist coverage at $100,000, limiting its liability to that amount. Second, it argued that any money Dare-Zinycz received from or on behalf of Joseph Laurena or Jean Daniel Laurena should reduce what Standard Fire owed. Third, it argued that any basic reparations benefits or medical payments she received should likewise reduce its liability. Fourth, it argued that any health or medical benefits she received should limit her damages. Fifth, it argued that any workers' compensation or disability benefits she received should reduce its liability as well.
Jury Verdict
The case proceeded to trial, and on May 22, 2025, the jury returned its verdict. The jury found the issues in favor of Victoria Dare-Zinycz and against The Standard Fire Insurance Company. It awarded her $54,000 in non-economic damages, covering past and future physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional suffering, permanent injury, and loss of the ability to enjoy life's pleasures. The jury foreperson signed and dated the verdict form on May 22, 2025.
Following the verdict, Hon. Kevin Shea entered final judgment on June 26, 2025. The judgment record shows a judgment upon verdict in favor of the Plaintiff, noting that the Court had also granted a motion for reduction, referenced in the Court file at entry 139.20. The documents provided do not include the content of that motion or order, so the basis for the reduction is not addressed here. The clerk's record shows that all parties and counsel received notice of the judgment on June 27, 2025.
