Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer Recovers $1 Million for Semi-Truck Crash Victim

Tina Willis uncovers hidden brain injury that other lawyers missed, leading to a record settlement.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:45pm

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Orlando car accident lawyer Tina Willis recovered a $1 million settlement for a client injured in a semi-truck accident, after discovering the victim had suffered a traumatic brain injury and permanent nerve damage that had gone undiagnosed. The client's initial visible injury was only a facial scar, which typically settles for around $11,000 in Florida, but Willis ordered advanced medical evaluations that revealed the more serious hidden injuries.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of thorough medical evaluations and the use of advanced neuroimaging techniques to properly diagnose brain injuries, which can significantly impact the value of a personal injury claim. It also demonstrates how an experienced lawyer's diligence and expertise can uncover hidden injuries and maximize a client's recovery, even when the initial visible injuries seem minor.

The details

The client was struck by a semi-truck in a sideswipe collision while driving in Orlando. His only visible injury was a facial scar along his jawline. Most personal injury firms would have treated this as a minor scar case worth around $11,000. However, Willis ordered comprehensive medical evaluations, including advanced neuroimaging scans like Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). These scans confirmed the client had suffered a traumatic brain injury with clear diagnostic markers. A separate evaluation also revealed permanent nerve damage to the trigeminal nerve, causing permanent numbness, drooping, and itching.

  • The accident occurred on South Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando.
  • The $1 million settlement was reached without filing a lawsuit.

The players

Tina Willis

An Orlando car accident lawyer and truck accident lawyer at Tina Willis Law Injury Accident Lawyer, who recovered the $1 million settlement for the client.

Tina Willis Law Injury Accident Lawyer

A law firm based in Orlando, Florida that handles catastrophic injury, semi-truck accident, car accident, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases throughout the state.

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What they’re saying

“Our client mentioned he had a head contusion and facial numbness. Most firms would have treated this as a minor scar case. We sent him to specialists we knew were among the best in the country at identifying traumatic brain injuries - a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, and a neuroradiologist who reviewed advanced imaging that standard emergency rooms never order.”

— Tina Willis, Attorney (Tina Willis Law Injury Accident Lawyer)

“The difference between $11,000 and $1 million in this case was not luck. It was the decision to listen carefully, recommend the right doctors, and gather the medical evidence needed to prove what this injury was actually worth. That is what we do in every case.”

— Tina Willis, Attorney (Tina Willis Law Injury Accident Lawyer)

What’s next

The client's attorney fee remained at the lower pre-litigation rate, saving the client tens of thousands of dollars. Willis noted that most higher value cases do require litigation because insurance companies refuse to pay fairly, but that the decision to file suit should always be driven by what maximizes the client's recovery, not the firm's fees.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the importance of thorough medical evaluations and the use of advanced neuroimaging techniques to properly diagnose brain injuries, which can significantly impact the value of a personal injury claim. It also highlights how an experienced lawyer's diligence and expertise can uncover hidden injuries and maximize a client's recovery, even when the initial visible injuries seem minor.