Victim fights for $3M payout from Orange County years after crash caused by county worker

It's been nearly 10 years since an Orange County worker blew through a stop sign and cost a motorcycle rider his leg.

Since the crash, a jury awarded Robert Smith nearly $3 million in damages, but the victim has only seen 3 percent of that payout

Years later, Smith is taking steps to collect on what the county owes.

The county's bill is $2.9 million.

But state law says for the victim to collect the rest of the money, he's got to go in front of state legislators.

A decade later, Smith says it's time to do just that.

Smith said the crash changed his life, and his body, forever.

“My left leg was shattered. It has 18 pins, two titanium plates. My pelvis has a bolt through it,” Smith said.

After the 2007 crash, Smith began fighting for justice.

Police ticketed the Orange County worker for rolling through a stop sign at Orlando Street and Depauw Avenue, and causing the crash.

The citation was later dismissed.

Then in 2012, there was a new court ruling.

Jurors decided the county owed Smith nearly $3 million in damages.

Smith only collected 3 percent of that verdict.

“I'm trying to just put it together. I'm trying to just make ends meet, and get by. It's hard to do,” said Smith.

State law puts a $100,000 cap on what the county had to pay.

To collect the rest, Smith and his attorney have to go to lawmakers and ask them to pass a claims bill approving the rest of the payout.

“We'll know by early next year that Rob is finally able to receive the compensation he's been waiting for all these years,” said David Moffett, an attorney with the Morgan & Morgan law firm.

With medical bills, a new career, a new home, and an old fight that could finally come to an end Smith said he hopes relief comes soon.

“Oh, it would be a big relief. It's been a long road,” said Smith. “It's already been life-changing, now I'm hoping it will be life changing in the other direction.”

Smith and his lawyer will take their fight to Tallahassee next spring.

They said they hope Orange County will fight with them, to get state lawmakers to pass the payout.

Cox Media Group