Jury Awards Florida Woman $16M Travelers Insurance Claim After Car Crash

After a lengthy legal battle that began in October 2019, a Duval County jury awarded Long a $16.4 million settlement against her insurance company, Travelers Home and Marine Insurance. The driver and owner of the vehicle are also listed in the lawsuit as defendants.

The crash caused "multiple spinal abnormalities in her neck and lower back," according to her lawyers.

"Most regrettably, her condition will get worse with time," Nicolas Iannucci, her lawyer, said in a statement. "From her ability to do her job, to the ordinary simple pleasures of life, nearly every possible aspect of our client's life was affected — and will continue to be — by her permanent injuries."

According to Long's lawyers, Travelers insurance refused opportunities to pay the policy limits of her uninsured motorist policy in a "timely manner."

The lawsuit accused the driver of negligence, dangerous instrumentality of the owner of the vehicle, Violata Gjuraj, and an underinsured motorist claim against Travelers.

According to court documents, the Gjurajs' Allstate insurance was "insufficient" while Long's insurance was $100,000 for bodily injury and up to $300,000 per accident.

The Gjurajs denied the allegations and that any money should be reduced or canceled by Long's failure to "mitigate" the damages.

According to court documents, Travelers Insurance is ordered to pay the full amount.