Thursday, April 15, 2010

New York Jury Awards over $7 Million in Damages related to Bus Accident

Earlier this year, two women injured in a 2005 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”) bus accident were awarded over $7 million in damages. The parties, Brenda Whaley and Amanda Wade, were injured in the collision as the car in which they were passengering proceeded across an intersection and was hit by the MTA bus.

While the bus driver claimed the car in which the woman were passengers ran a stop sign, the driver of the car carrying Whaley and Wade said they stopped at the intersection and the bus ran a red light before hitting them. A jury found the MTA responsible for the accident at a trial held to determine fault.

In a separate trial to assess damages, a jury came to a verdict that awarded Whaley, who sustained six fractures and punctured lungs, $7,250,000. Wade, who was less severely injured, was awarded $250,000.

The Transit Authority plans to appeal to decision.