--- title: "Jury Awards $85,000 in Orange County Trucking Injury Case" meta: "og:description": "An Orange County jury awarded Earlie Howard $85,000 after finding Rafael Maldonado and Sunrun Trucking negligent in a 2022 tractor-trailer collision on US-441." "og:title": "Jury Awards $85,000 in Orange County Trucking Injury Case" description: "An Orange County jury awarded Earlie Howard $85,000 after finding Rafael Maldonado and Sunrun Trucking negligent in a 2022 tractor-trailer collision on US-441." --- February 23, 2026 # **Jury Awards $85,000 in Orange County Trucking Injury Case** An Orange County jury awarded Earlie Howard $85,000 after finding Rafael Maldonado and Sunrun Trucking negligent in a 2022 tractor-trailer collision on US-441. [**Motor Vehicle Accident**](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case/jury-verdict/category/motor-vehicle-accident) [**Personal Injury**](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case/jury-verdict/category/personal-injury) ### **Outline** Author ![](https://media.jurimatic.com/cdn-cgi/image/q=70/profile_images/shared_image_1.webp) **Sohini Chakraborty****Sohini Chakraborty is a lawyer, with over two years of experience in legal research and analysis. She specializes in working closely with expert witnesses, offering critical support in preparing legal research and detailed case studies.** ![Article Image](https://media.jurimatic.com/cdn-cgi/image/q=70/images/HOWARD_EARLIE.webp) The legal battle between Earlie Howard and Sunrun Trucking, LLC reached its conclusion in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court following a significant commercial vehicle collision. On April 5, 2022, a tractor-trailer operated by Rafael Maldonado collided with Howard’s vehicle on US-441 in Orlando. Howard alleged that Maldonado’s failure to yield the right of way and his execution of an improper U-turn directly caused her permanent bodily injuries and the aggravation of pre-existing conditions. While the defense argued that Howard contributed to her own injuries by failing to use a seatbelt and failing to mitigate her medical damages, the jury ultimately found the Defendants liable. On October 20, 2025, the jury returned a verdict awarding Howard $45,000 for past medical expenses and $40,000 for past lost wages. ## **Case Background** This litigation arose from a motor vehicle accident that took place in Orange County, Florida, on April 5, 2022. Earlie Howard initiated the legal process by filing a formal complaint on August 29, 2022, seeking damages for the physical and financial hardships she endured following the crash. The case progressed through the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court as Howard sought to hold both the driver and the commercial carrier accountable for the incident. The proceedings culminated in a jury trial held in late 2025, where the court examined issues of negligence and the long-term impact of the injuries sustained by the Plaintiff. ### **Cause** The collision occurred while Earlie Howard traveled on US-441 in Orlando. At the same time, Rafael Maldonado operated a tractor-trailer owned by Sunrun Trucking, LLC on the same roadway. Howard alleged that Maldonado breached his duty to operate the truck safely by failing to keep a proper lookout and performing an improper U-turn. The complaint specifically noted that Maldonado’s careless driving led his commercial vehicle to crash into Howard's automobile. ### **Injury** The impact caused Howard to suffer bodily injuries that her legal team described as permanent in nature. These injuries resulted in physical pain, mental anguish, and a diminished capacity to enjoy her life. Additionally, the crash led to the aggravation of physical conditions that Howard had already dealt with prior to the accident. During the trial, the jury specifically determined that Howard sustained a permanent injury or a permanent aggravation of her pre-existing state as a direct result of the collision. ### **Damages Sought** Howard sought a judgment for damages exceeding $100,000. Her request for compensation included the costs of her hospitalization, ongoing medical and nursing care, and treatment expenses. Beyond medical bills, she aimed to recover lost earnings and the loss of her future ability to earn a living. She also pursued non-economic damages for her disability, disfigurement, and the loss of her vehicle’s use during the repair period. ## **Key Arguments and Proceedings** ### **Legal Representation** **Plaintiff(s):** Earlie Howard - **Counsel for Plaintiff(s):** Marlon White of Morgan & Morgan, P.A. - **Expert for Plaintiff:** [Maahir Haque](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Maahir-Haque/1572353) | [Steve Rundell](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Steven-Rundell/1524391) **Defendant(s):** Rafael Maldonado | Sunrun Trucking, LLC - **Counsel for Defendant(s):** Dennis R. O'Connor | Matthew J. Haftel ## **Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel** ### **Claims** Howard’s attorney argued that Rafael Maldonado violated several traffic laws, including failing to yield the right of way. The Plaintiff also asserted that Sunrun Trucking, LLC shared the blame because the company failed to properly train and supervise its driver. The legal team claimed the company had entrusted the truck to an unqualified driver and was therefore vicariously and strictly liable for the crash. ### **Defense** The defense denied that the Defendants were negligent and argued that Howard herself contributed to the crash. They raised an affirmative defense regarding Howard’s failure to use a seatbelt, suggesting this contributed to her injuries. Furthermore, the defense contended that Howard failed to mitigate her damages by not following medical advice or returning to work when she was physically able. They also argued that any current ailments were actually pre-existing injuries from prior accidents. ## **Jury Verdict** The jury reached its decision on October 20, 2025. After deliberating on the evidence, the jurors found that Rafael Maldonado was indeed negligent and that his actions legally caused damage to Earlie Howard. **Liability and Permanent Injury** The jury confirmed that Howard suffered a permanent injury or a permanent aggravation of a condition she had before the accident. This finding allowed the case to proceed to the calculation of specific monetary damages. **Awarded Damages** The jurors awarded Howard a total of $85,000. The breakdown of this amount included: - **Past Medical Expenses:** $45,000 - **Future Medical Expenses:** $0 - **Past Lost Wages:** $40,000 - **Loss of Future Earning Capacity:** $0 The jury did not award any additional money for future pain and suffering or mental anguish. Foreperson Brianna Claridy signed the verdict form to finalize the award. ### **Court Documents** [Complaint](https://exlitem.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/ContentMarketing/IQDr1rCA4pfGR5TS1j3rY7b6AQ_D3IKC80gMyYTqImIl0vQ?e=Rm9sc0) [Jury Verdict](https://exlitem.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/ContentMarketing/IQCadCEonEqtQ7gddDX-4GIwAcrzJNQbirgxsbzx9o5GlEY?e=8lM5cc) [Share with Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case) [Share with X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case&text=x) [Share with LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case) [Share with Email](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case/mailto:?body=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case&subject=email) [Share with WhatsApp](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case%20whatsapp) ### **Find your next Expert Witness today** ![Sanjay Adhia](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **Sanjay Adhia** Forensic Psychiastry ![George Reis](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **George Reis** Forensic Imaging ![Maria Babinetz](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-awards-85000-in-orange-county-trucking-injury-case/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **Maria Babinetz** Vocational Rehabilitation Find and retain experts without brokerage or upcharge. ### Looking for more? 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