Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly
Type of action: Motorcycle accident
Injuries alleged: Abrasions/avulsion to left kneecap and arm, injury to left toe and left maxillary sinus fracture, soft-tissue sprain/strain
Tried before: Jury
Date resolved: 10/18/2022
Special damages: $65,000
Offer: $85,000
Verdict or settlement: Verdict
Amount: $300,000
Attorney for plaintiff: Christopher L. Spinelli, Richmond
Description of case: On Dec. 30, 2019, the plaintiff was operating his motorcycle on Staples Mill Road when defendant abruptly changed lanes in front of the plaintiff, who attempted to avoid contact between the vehicles. The front wheel of the plaintiff’s motorcycle grazed the rear end of the defendant’s vehicle, causing the plaintiff to crash. The plaintiff was immediately treated at Henrico Doctor’s Hospital and received multiple imaging and wound abatement and was discharged later that evening. He followed up with his primary care physician and a specialist.
The defense contested liability and the reasonableness of the ER bill, which alone was over $60,000. The defense identified a “billing expert” who would testify that the ER bill should have been about $25,000. After two hearings on motions filed by the plaintiff seeking to exclude her testimony, on the morning of trial the billing expert was ultimately excluded from testifying. The jury deliberated for less than an hour.
Plaintiff’s law firm provided case information.
[023-T-020]
