Mark Roman | September 7, 2022 | Firm News
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers recently obtained a $3,000,000 judgment for a client who was struck by a Pinellas County school bus. Our client, a 44-year-old woman, was walking to her job at a thrift store in the early morning hours of February 13, 2019. As she walked through the crosswalk at the intersection of Curlew Road and US-19, a Pinellas County-owned school bus struck her and rolled over her with its rear wheels. The client had a white crossing signal before she entered the crosswalk, giving her the right of way at the intersection.
The collision left the client with catastrophic injuries. The bus driver left the scene and didn’t report the accident. She later said she heard a “thump” but thought it was a curb. Police officers tracked down the bus driver and bus. They confirmed the bus was involved in the accident. The bus driver was later found guilty of failing to exercise due care causing serious bodily injury, resulting in a citation and a three-month license revocation.
The bus accident left our client in critical condition. She fought for her life for two months at Bayfront Hospital’s trauma center. The client sustained severe injuries to multiple parts of her body, including her brain, spine, pelvis, and ribs. She also sustained nerve damage and “degloving injuries” to her legs. Her injuries continue to cause severe pain and have left her with serious scars and infections. She is now completely disabled and will require life-long care; she requires help with basic tasks and struggles to walk more than a few feet at a time.
The Pinellas County School Board admitted liability for the bus accident during our client’s lawsuit. It agreed to the entry of the $3,000,000 judgment against it. However, our client will need a claims bill to be passed in order to recover damages in excess of Florida’s $200,000 sovereign immunity cap. State Senator Darryl Rouson (D) District 19 sponsored the claims bill.
Our client agreed to the settlement to avoid the delays and stresses of trial. A trial could have resulted in a much higher judgment. The client’s medical expenses total almost $2,000,000. An expert medical witness projected that she’ll require more than $1,400,000 for future medical care.
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers was proud to represent this deserving client in her case against the school board. We strive to help our clients recover the compensation they need to move forward after an accident. If you’ve been in a bus or car accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
Contact the Clearwater Personal Injury Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Clearwater. We have four convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442