A Hupy and Abraham client has received a $4.9 million settlement following a devastating motorcycle accident involving a school bus.
The Accident
On a warm September afternoon, our client was riding his Harley-Davidson home from work when a school bus transporting children failed to stop at a stop sign and struck his motorcycle. The crash was fully captured on the bus’s onboard cameras, clearly showing the driver’s failure to yield and to come to a complete stop. The driver was later cited and pleaded guilty to disobeying the stop sign.
The Injuries
The impact caused catastrophic injuries throughout our client’s body, including:
- Severe trauma to his left foot and leg
- Multiple skull fractures and broken ribs
- Optic nerve damage to his left eye
He was rushed to a nearby hospital where emergency surgery was performed, followed by an extended hospital stay and months of rehabilitation. Over the next nine months, he underwent 11 surgical procedures. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, his recovery has been remarkable—he has resumed most of his pre-accident activities, though he continues to face some physical limitations.
The Legal Battle
Attorney Vito Manicioto filed a lawsuit against both the school district and the bus driver, seeking justice for the injured motorcyclist and his wife. Despite clear video evidence and the driver’s guilty plea, the defendants initially denied all responsibility.
Refusing to back down, Attorney Manicioto and the Hupy and Abraham team pursued the case aggressively. They retained multiple experts, including a respected accident reconstruction specialist who analyzed the bus’s internal video footage and proved that the driver would have clearly seen the motorcyclist had he stopped and looked before entering the intersection.
To further illustrate the extent of the injuries, the legal team utilized medical slides and 3D-printed models of the client’s orthopedic trauma—powerful visuals that left a lasting impression during litigation.
The Result
After nearly two years of litigation, and with no initial settlement offers made, the case finally proceeded to mediation. Armed with expert testimony, compelling visuals, and a strong command of the facts, Attorney Manicioto demonstrated the school bus driver’s clear negligence. The mediator ultimately facilitated a $4.9 million settlement for our client—a result that provides justice and financial security for the motorcyclist and his family.
