Chief Judge Alex R. Munson noted that defendants Rafael I. Rangamar and Miguel R. Fitial were not present or unrepresented during the hearing on motion for entry of judgment on Nov. 20.
Munson awarded Ismail Hossain a total judgment of $17,542.25 that “shall accrue interest at the rate allowed by law.”
Hossain represented himself, together with an interpreter.
The amount was broken as follows: court costs, $350; lost wages, $5,332; property damage, $8,229.36; medical costs, $630.89; and general damages for pain and suffering, $3,000.
The federal court earlier summoned Rangamar and Fitial to answer within 20 days the lawsuit filed by Hossain against them last September.
The vehicles driven by Rangamar and Hossain collided on Middle Road, Puerto Rico, on the night of Nov. 12, 2007.
Rangamar was driving a Ford Escape while Hossain was behind the wheel of a Toyota Siena, records showed.
Both were hurt after the collision and their vehicles sustained severe damage.
Hossain stated in his complaint that Rangamar was “driving negligently, carelessly, recklessly, and with deliberate disregard and reckless indifference to the safety of others.”
Hossain added that Rangamar “failed to yield the right of way” as indicated by the police citation.
According to Hossain, Rangamar “had no driver’s license and the car was unregistered and uninsured.”
Hossain said he included Fitial in the complaint for negligent entrustment as the co-owner of the vehicle driven by Rangamar.
