Motorcyclist sustained multiple fractures after collision — $1.5M settlement

Type of action: Personal injury

Injuries alleged: Fracture of T7-T8 vertebra, collapsed lung, acute kidney failure, multiple fractures of pelvis, left and right ulna fractures, right radius fractures, right and left tibia fractures, right thumb fracture, bilateral knee ligament injuries, multiple lacerations and abrasions, and iron deficiency anemia, resulting from blood loss

Name of case: Runion v. Beach

Court: Fauquier County Circuit Court

Case no.: CL22000379-00

Date resolved: 11/2/2022

Special damages: $425,000 in medical bills, $43,000 in lost wages

Demand: $1,500,000

Verdict or settlement: Settlement

Amount: $1,500,000

Attorneys for plaintiff (and city): Boris Kuperman, Fairfax

Description of case: On Sept. 28, 2020, Runion was operating a motorcycle in Fauquier County approaching the intersection of Marsh Road and Ritchie Road. As Runion reached the intersection, the defendant — who was attempting a left turn onto Ritchie Road — pulled directly into his path.

Runion, who was traveling near the speed limit of 55 mph, collided with the rear right of the defendant’s vehicle, and was thrown violently from the seat of his motorcycle.

Runion was transported via medical helicopter to Inova Fairfax Hospital. He would spend the next few weeks at the hospital. He suffered fractures to his thoracic spine, pelvis, left forearm, right forearm, left lower leg, right lower leg and his right thumb. He suffered a collapsed lung, acute kidney failure, blood loss, anemia and multiple laceration/abrasion wounds. Additionally, Runion underwent five surgeries to address his multiple injuries.

On Sept. 30, 2020, Runion underwent surgery for his right forearm, left forearm, right lower leg and pelvis. This surgery included closed treatment with manipulation to the right distal radius, application of uniplanar external fixator to the right distal radius, open reduction and internal fixation to the anterior pelvis, stress fluoroscopy of the pelvis, closed treatment without manipulation to the right proximal tibial plateau, irrigation and debridement of the left forearm bones, complex closure of an open wound to the left forearm, open reduction and internal fixation of the left forearm bones, application of a tissue expander to the left forearm, application of wound VAC to the left forearm, and arthrodesis/fusion to the pubic symphysis.

On Oct. 2, 2020, Runion underwent surgery on his left forearm and bilateral knees. This surgery included repeat irrigation and debridement of his left forearm wound, manipulation of the bilateral knees, application of stress for fluoroscopy to the bilateral knees, and application of tissue expander to the left forearm. On Oct. 5, 2020, he underwent surgery on his right thumb. This procedure included debridement and closed treatment of the right thumb distal phalanx fracture.

On Oct. 7, 2020, Runion underwent surgery on his left forearm. The procedure included an excisional debridement of his volar forearm wound, complex layered closure of his volar forearm wound, and application of wound VAC to the left forearm.

On Oct. 9, 2022, he underwent additional surgery on his left forearm. The procedure included open reduction with internal fixation of the intraarticular distal radius fracture, delayed primary closure of the left forearm, open reduction and internal fixation of the right radial shaft fracture, and repair of the right extensor indicis proprius tendon.Following his release from the hospital, Runion faced, and still faces, a long road to recovery. He would go on to experience multiple more surgeries, and over a year of nearly continuous physical therapy.

Plaintiff’s counsel demanded the defendant’s policy limits of $1,500,000. An investigation into the extent of the defendant’s assets was conducted but it did not reveal substantial assets.

A lawsuit was filed in the Fauquier County Circuit Court to toll the statute of limitations. The case was settled for the defendant’s policy limits shortly thereafter.

Boris Kuperman, plaintiff’s counsel, provided case information.

[022-T-171]