$7+ Million School Bus Accident
Case: Buchanan v. Mascoutah Community School District 19, 17-L-255
Venue: St. Clair County, IL
Verdict: $7.15 million
Date: May 8, 2019
Our client was a delivery truck driver who was crushed by a drifting school bus, traveling at 55 mph, despite our client being pulled entirely off the road. He suffered significant injuries, including a mangled and partially-amputated left arm, a broken hip, a lacerated kidney, damaged thoracic aorta, and PTSD.
The defendant admitted fault before trial, and offered $3 million to settlement, but refused to go higher. We therefore went to trial.
After an hour of deliberations, the jury returned a total verdict of $7.15 million, broken down as follows: $771,058 for past and future medical expenses, $380,000 for lost wages, $2 million for pain and suffering, $2 million for disfigurement, $1 million for loss of a normal life, and $1 million for emotional distress.