$1,350,000 Settlement for NYC Pedestrian Hit by School Bus at Crosswalk

In the school bus accident lawsuit case below, a woman was crossing the street with the traffic signal in her favor when she was struck by a left-turning school bus. As a result of the crash, she suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures and a herniated disc at C5-6. Represented by the Law Firm of Block O’Toole & Murphy, she was awarded a $1.35 million settlement..

Court and County
Supreme Court, Kings County

Age and Occupation of Plaintiff
At the time of the accident, Plaintiff was a 53-year-old female who managed a dry-cleaning shop.

Description of Case
Plaintiff was hit by a school bus while crossing Fourth Avenue crosswalk, with a pedestrian-traffic signal in her favor at the moment of impact. The bus was making a left turn onto Fourth Avenue from 93rd Street.

Plaintiff sued the driver of the bus and the bus’s owner. First, Plaintiff alleged that the bus’s driver was negligent in his operation of the bus claiming that but for the failure of the driver to exercise reasonable caution and observe what was observable, Plaintiff would not have been struck and injured. Plaintiff sued the bus’s owner under the theory of respondeat superior, which attaches liability on an employer for the negligent actions of its employees during the course of his or her work.

Block O’Toole & Murphy is recognized for record-breaking verdicts and settlements, including $110 million and $32 million verdicts. Our attorneys fight aggressively for every dollar that our clients are legally entitled to. To date, we’ve recovered over $1.5 billion for our clients in serious personal injury matters. Speak with an experienced attorney today by calling 212-736-5300.

Injuries/Damages
Plaintiff sustained a mid-shaft fracture of her left femur, which required nailing to repair. The fracture failed to unite and Plaintiff was diagnosed with a non-union. She underwent a second surgery that included the insertion of a bone graft to the fracture site. That surgery was successful, and the treating orthopedic surgeon indicated that Plaintiff would not require follow-up care regarding her femur.

Plaintiff also sustained a herniated disc at C5-6 and three fractured ribs. Her medical expenses were approximately $55,000, of which no-fault insurance paid $50,000.

Plaintiff claimed that she was unable to resume her prior employment because it would require lifting and prolonged standing. She sought recovery of $513,294 in past and future lost wages.

Additionally, Plaintiff’s husband presented a loss-of-consortium claim.

Settlement Amount
After jury selection, but prior to the scheduled start of opening statements, the parties agreed to a $1,350,000 settlement. Plaintiff received the full $1,000,000 limit of the Defendant’s primary insurance policy and $350,000 from their excess policy.

Attorneys
This case was handled by Partner Daniel P. O’Toole.

Contact a School Bus Injury Lawyer Today

If you were hurt in an accident involving a school bus, it’s important to understand your legal rights after a serious crash. Our attorneys are experienced in litigating school bus injury lawsuits and have a track record of recovering top results for victims harmed in school bus accidents. Select results include:

• $2,925,000 settlement in a Supreme Bronx case for a driver who was hit by a school bus that ran a stop sign
• $1,750,000 settlement for a motorist who required spinal fusion surgery after he was rear-ended by a school bus in the Bronx
• $1,490,000 settlement for a driver who collided with a school bus at a Brooklyn intersection
• $1,350,000 settlement for a mechanic who was rear-ended by a school bus on Henry Hudson Highway

We serve all NYC boroughs, Long Island, upstate New York, and New Jersey. Call 212-736-5300 for a free legal consultation.