On April 21, 2014, plaintiff Shana Leedie, 35, a salesperson, was driving a sport utility vehicle on north Interstate 95, in Philadelphia. When she was near the Front Street on-ramp, she became stopped in traffic and her SUV was rear-ended by a sedan. She claimed injuries to her neck, left shoulder, and back.

Leedie sued the driver, Damien Diaz, alleging that he was negligent.