Bus Company to Pay 10.5 Million Dollars for Pedestrian Tragedy

A woman who was knocked down by a bus on a pedestrian crossing is to receive 10.5 million dollars in compensation after representatives of the bus company agreed to an out-of-court settlement just as the jury were being seated at the Alameda County Superior Court.

On November 3 2008, Abby Nichols (23) of Oakland, California, had just finished for the day at the San Francisco bagel shop in which she worked as an assistant, and started crossing the road at the junction of Telegraph Avenue and 51st Street.

Although the green light was in her favour, a bus turned into the road, knocking Abby over, and trapping her beneath the chassis of the vehicle. She remained trapped for a further 15 minutes, as the bus driver did not know how to operate the hydraulic lever, and Abby sustained a crushed hip that needed to be replaced, a broken pelvis and femur.

The bus company, AC Transit, found in their own investigation that the bus driver was guilty of negligence but failed to arrange a quick settlement for Abby. It was only when legal action was pursued that Abby – who stills undergoes physical therapy and walks with the aid of a cane – managed to obtain the bus injury compensation to which she was entitled.