At Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP, we fight for justice and compensation on behalf of the victims in personal injury cases. Recently, our own Mark Thomsen achieved a $2.5 million settlement for our client who was severely injured in a parking lot accident involving a bus. This settlement reflects our formidable track record of securing compensation for our clients, including many multi-million settlements and verdicts.
The Incident: A Parking Lot Accident with Devastating Consequences
On the night of September 24, 2021, our 50-year-old client, a head chef from Miami, was walking back to his hotel after working at the Ryder Cup, dressed in his black uniform and wearing a hoodie. He was traversing a dimly lit parking lot at the resort where he was staying when he was struck and run over by a bus. He did not see the approaching bus. The driver of the bus did not see our client as she made a left turn down an aisle in the lot.
Milwaukee personal injury attorney Mark Thomsen recognized the defense would argue that given the poor lighting and rainy conditions, our client should have looked carefully for any vehicles before he walked across the lot rather than using the lit sidewalk. The collision left our client with significant injuries, requiring one surgery to each leg and a prolonged rehabilitation process.
Mark Thomsen, his legal team, and co-counsel Aaron Davis and Michael Bild from Miami collected critical evidence, hired top accident reconstruction and medical experts, and left no stone unturned to establish the bus driver’s negligence was greater than our client’s and build a strong case for financial compensation for our client.
A Complex Case with Conflicting Expert Opinions
Parking lot accidents may involve complex legal and technical issues, as this case clearly demonstrated. During litigation, expert testimony from both sides presented varying accounts of the circumstances leading up to the accident.
The Plaintiff’s Experts: Evidence of Driver Negligence
Our expert witnesses, Paul Erdtmann from Skogen Engineering Group Inc. and Larry Baareman, a transportation compliance expert from Michigan, provided compelling evidence supporting our case. Both experts concluded that the client was within the bus driver’s sightline for approximately five seconds before the impact, directly challenging the driver’s claim that she did not see him.
Baareman further opined that the bus driver, in compliance with state and federal motor carrier regulations, should have slowed her vehicle and cleared the area to her left before making the left turn. According to Baareman, this failure to exercise caution indicated preventable negligence, highlighting that the driver’s actions contributed to the accident.
The Defendants’ Attempt to Blame Pedestrian Behavior
The defendant’s accident expert, David A. Noyce, took a contrasting stance, opining that our client acted unsafely by not using designated pedestrian walkways. Noyce further contended that our client was “undetectable” to the bus driver due to his clothing choice and the lighting conditions.
Competing Testimonies Highlighted the Need for a Strong Representation
This contradictory evidence underscored the complexities of the case and made it essential for us to build a strong, cohesive, and evidence-based argument. By systematically dismantling the defendants’ claims and firmly demonstrating the bus driver’s responsibility in the accident, we were able to present a robust case on behalf of our client.
Medical Testimonies and the Extent of Finizia’s Injuries
Our team also engaged medical experts to assess the severity of our client’s injuries and their impact on his future. These professionals provided testimony on the medical necessity of surgeries, his prolonged recovery, and the ongoing pain and limitations he faces.
Vocational expert Kevin L. Schutz, M.S., LPC, evaluated our client’s long-term physical and psychological challenges and his loss of earning capacity. This testimony underscored the financial and emotional toll that this accident has imposed on our client, further strengthening our argument for full compensation.
A Settlement That Brings Justice and Financial Security to Our Client
Through attorney Mark Thomsen’s legal acumen and aggressive representation, our firm was able to achieve a settlement that provides our client with the financial resources he needs to continue his recovery and maintain his quality of life. The $2.5 million settlement we secured reflects the intense litigation skills, experience, and resources with which our attorneys handled each aspect of this case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, our Milwaukee personal injury attorneys at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs LLP are ready to fight for you. To schedule your free consultation, call us at 608.833.2632 or contact us online.
