Jury Rules for Defense in Bus Collision

On November 10, 2010, a 65-year-old school bus driver was driving a route with four students when a vehicle driven by a teenager crossed the centerline and collided with the bus. The driver attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to due to a ditch. While the bus sustained minor damage, the driver reported soft-tissue pain and persistent headaches the following day. The driver later filed a lawsuit seeking $4,232 for past medical bills, $30,000 for future care, and $80,000 for pain and suffering.

The defendant driver conceded fault for the collision but disputed the alleged injuries, arguing the collision was too minor to cause compensable harm. The defendant linked the plaintiff's symptoms to a prior 2002 motor vehicle accident and presented a medical expenses threshold defense, requiring the jury to determine if the plaintiff's medical expenses exceeded $1,000.

The jury determined the plaintiff met the $1,000 medical expense threshold. It awarded $4,232 for past medical bills, matching the claimed amount, but rejected awards for future care and pain and suffering. The court then entered a defense judgment because Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance had already paid the plaintiff's medical bills. The case concluded without post-trial motions.