Farley v. Collins

Farley (plaintiff) was in a car accident with Dann, who later died, and Farley sued Dann's estate administrator, Collins (defendant), for resulting damages. At trial, Farley testified about the movements of his motorcycle and Dann's car before and during the crash; Collins objected under Florida's Dead Man's Statute, arguing the accident itself was a "transaction" between Farley and the now-deceased Dann that barred Farley's testimony. The trial court admitted the testimony and ruled for Farley, but the court of appeals reversed, holding the accident did qualify as a barred transaction.