A Las Vegas motorist suffered life threatening internal injuries after an RTC bus ran a red light and struck his Toyota RAV4 in a T bone collision at the intersection of Buffalo Drive and Regatta Drive. The police investigation determined that the bus entered the intersection against a solid red light while our client proceeded on a green arrow. An independent eyewitness confirmed that our client had the right of way, and an RTC technician downloaded video that clearly showed the bus failing to stop for the red light before striking the RAV4. Police found the bus driver at fault and took enforcement action.
Although our client initially appeared able to leave the scene, his condition deteriorated. Testing revealed significant internal abdominal bleeding, and he showed signs of hemorrhagic shock. He required a blood transfusion, transfer to Sunrise Hospital, and an emergency exploratory laparotomy with evacuation of an abdominal hematoma.
The consequences did not end when he left the hospital. The emergency surgery left a prominent midline abdominal scar measuring approximately 21 cm by 3.5 cm. A fellowship trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon concluded that the collision and resulting surgery permanently altered and disfigured his abdomen, and recommended surgical scar revision followed by potential additional scar therapies. We documented his past medical charges and projected future medical care.
Result: $665,000
Our representation went beyond establishing that the bus driver caused the collision. We developed the objective liability evidence, documented the emergency surgery and substantial medical expenses, and continued building the damages claim after our client’s initial recovery. Importantly, we obtained a specialist evaluation addressing the permanent surgical scarring, causation, disfigurement, and cost of future corrective treatment. We then supplemented our demand for the full policy limits with this additional evidence and required the insurer to evaluate the claim based on its full long term consequences, not simply our client’s condition at hospital discharge.
DIRECTIONS