Walking near her workplace, a research librarian was struck by a Richmond bus.  The pedestrian suffered spinal and shoulder damage and multiple hip and pelvis fractures that resulted in chronic pain.  The GRTC bus was making a right turn when it struck her as she crossed North Eighth Street beside the Library of Virginia in 2007.

A Richmond jury awarded the injured plaintiff $8 million in damages.  The 34-year-old pedestrian had waited on the sidewalk and was two-thirds of the way across the street when the bus, making a right turn off East Marshall Street, struck her, her attorney said.  Medical evidence in the case suggested the injured woman will likely undergo multiple surgeries for hip replacements before she is 50.

The seven-person jury deliberated one hour in reaching an award in the case where damages were the only issue in a two-day trial. The decision will not affect the bus company’s fares or balance sheet, according to the injured woman’s attorney, because the award, which could be appealed, is covered by insurance.  The plaintiff’s lawyer, my friend Jason Konvicka of the Allen law firm in Richmond, did an excellent job.  Doug Landau uses a Richmond Bus personal injury case in the annual “New Judges’ Training” program the Virginia Supreme Court holds for those lawyers selected to sit on the Circuit Courts of the Commonwealth.   The Supreme Court’s factual scenario for these trials presents many issues the judges will hear and rule upon when they go to their respective Courts.  If you or someone you know has been injured by a “common carrier” like a bus, train, ferry, plane or trolley, e-mail us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., or call 703-796-9555 today.