February 18, 2026

VOLUSIA COUNTY, FL – Miami Partners Dexter Romanez and Rebecca Aroca obtained a complete victory for their client in a vigorously contested car accident case in Volusia County. Despite facing a demand for more than $3.0 million in damages, the trial team utilized a disciplined medical defense and a specialized statutory approach to secure a verdict that, after setoffs, resulted in a $0 net recovery for the Plaintiff.

Overview of the Case

The litigation arose from an automobile accident in Volusia County where liability was admitted. Following the collision, the Plaintiff's vehicle required towing and the client's vehicle came to rest on a neighbor’s lawn. The Plaintiff, who underwent three surgeries following the incident, asserted that his injuries were a direct result of the accident and sought over $3 million in damages.

Key Difference-Makers

• Dexter Romanez – Partner, Miami
• Rebecca Aroca – Partner, Miami

Administrative Support

• Brittany Goran – Paralegal

Claims Made Against Our Client

The Plaintiff alleged that the motor vehicle accident caused permanent, debilitating injuries necessitating multiple surgical interventions. Backed by testimony from three medical doctors supporting the claim, opposing counsel argued that the accident was the sole cause of the Plaintiff's physical impairment. The Plaintiff’s team engaged in aggressive motion practice, attempting to capitalize on the admitted liability and the severity of the surgeries to justify a multi-million dollar award.

Defense Strategy

The defense team accepted responsibility for the accident, which allowed them to focus exclusively on the true damages picture. A core component of the strategy was a blistering cross-examination of the Plaintiff and a meticulous challenge to the medical evidence. Partners Romanez and Aroca identified inconsistencies in the medical records to show that the Plaintiff's symptoms had resolved and were not long-lasting.

The defense further neutralized the claim by zeroing in on the lack of work restrictions and the Plaintiff's employment history to prove the absence of permanent injuries. By maintaining a reasonable posture and allowing the medical evidence to drive the narrative, the team stayed disciplined from the initial voir dire through the final closing argument, ensuring the jury remained focused on objective evidence rather than emotional appeals.

Impact on Final Outcome

The defense’s focused approach resulted in the jury reaching a decision in under an hour. Although the Plaintiff requested $3 million, the jury returned a verdict for only $20,000. Due to the effective application of setoffs, this award was entirely neutralized, resulting in an expected $0 net verdict for the Plaintiff. This outcome shielded the client from millions in potential exposure in a high-stakes case where the cards were stacked against the defense.

Unique Aspects of the Case

A unique element of this trial involved the verdict form. The defense successfully argued against the inclusion of a permanency threshold instruction because an out-of-state insurance policy was involved. The Court excluded the typical permanency question found in most Florida auto cases, which significantly narrowed the Plaintiff's path to a large recovery.

Predicting the Future

This victory reinforces the effectiveness of a disciplined medical defense, demonstrating that even in cases involving admitted liability and multiple surgeries, a focused evidentiary approach can successfully neutralize multi-million dollar demands. By prioritizing objective medical findings and meticulous trial preparation, QPWB continues to provide a comprehensive defense for clients facing high-exposure litigation.

Key Actions in This Case

• Expert Evidence Discreditation: Systematically poked holes in medical expert testimony by using the Plaintiff’s own records to prove symptom resolution.
• Statutory Maneuvering: Successfully excluded the permanency threshold instruction based on out-of-state policy nuances.
• Disciplined Trial Execution: Conducted effective cross-examinations and a moving closing statement that aligned the jury with the defense’s evidentiary themes.

About QPWB

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. is one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States providing a different focus on what it means to provide responsive service to clients and team members. With a national presence of 55 offices and a comprehensive scope of over 130 practice areas, QPWB delivers legal representation in litigation, regulatory, and corporate matters to a diverse range of industries. This scope and rapid expansion has attracted unique legal talent from all different backgrounds and experiences which has made them the largest minority-owned law firm in the country.