$10.6M Jury Verdict in Florida Motorcycle Crash

On March 31, 2022, Marine Corps veteran William Patrick Duffey was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle northbound along State Road A1A in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. At the same time, Janet Darlene Rogier, a visitor from Michigan, was traveling in the opposite direction. According to court records and a statement from Morgan & Morgan, Rogier failed to yield while attempting a left-hand turn and crossed directly into Duffey’s path. Despite an attempt to avoid the crash, Duffey was unable to prevent the collision, resulting in significant injuries.

The Injuries

The impact left Duffey with multiple severe injuries. As detailed by Morgan & Morgan, Duffey suffered a disc herniation in his cervical spine, a torn rotator cuff, and a serious aggravation of an existing lumbar herniation. He also sustained facial scarring. Following the accident, Duffey underwent surgery on his lower back and is expected to require future surgical procedures on both his neck and shoulder. The extent of his injuries has left him with ongoing pain and a diminished quality of life. According to the firm, the injuries are so severe that he will never ride a motorcycle again.

The Trial

Morgan & Morgan attorneys Michael J. Smith, Jack T. Cook, and Raissa Booze represented Duffey throughout the litigation. Before trial, the defense extended a pre-trial settlement offer of $90,000—an offer that was ultimately declined. A Volusia County jury sided with Duffey, returning a verdict awarding him $10.6 million. The jury determined that Rogier was entirely at fault for the crash, with no comparative negligence attributed to Duffey.

According to the verdict form, the jury awarded $206,000 for past medical expenses and $560,000 for future medical costs. For pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life, the jury granted Duffey $1.5 million for past damages and $8.5 million for future damages. Rogier, who was cited for failure to yield following the accident, entered a no-contest plea in a separate traffic proceeding. Although adjudication was withheld, she was fined $155 and ordered to complete a traffic improvement course.

Key Legal Arguments

Attorneys for Duffey emphasized that the defense attempted to deflect blame by asserting that Duffey could have avoided the crash. However, Morgan & Morgan characterized these claims as “baseless,” given the split-second nature of Rogier’s left-hand turn. “The jury saw the truth—that our client’s injuries cause him constant pain, to the point he can no longer enjoy his time with family, and he will never ride a motorcycle again,” said attorney Jack T. Cook in a statement. “Ultimately, the jury delivered justice for our client to help him get his life back to as normal as he possibly can.”

The Law Firms Involved

Duffey was represented by Morgan & Morgan, one of the nation’s largest personal injury firms. The defense was represented by Virgil Wright and Chris Coleman of Cameron, Hodges, Coleman, LaPointe, & Wright, P.A..

What’s Next?

The substantial eight-figure verdict suggests a clear repudiation of the defense’s attempt to minimize liability. While it is not yet clear whether the defense intends to appeal, the outcome sends a strong message about the level of accountability expected from motorists who fail to yield to vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists. The ruling not only affirms the legal validity of Duffey’s claims but may also influence future litigation strategies in similar traffic injury cases.