Bus Driver Settles His Claim For 5 Million Dollars While Jury Deliberates in Richmond Circuit Court.

A bus driver settled his personal injury claim for 5 millions dollars while the jury was deliberating during a trial in Richmond Circuit Court.  Terry Shoemaker, age 56, was driving a group of high school seniors to Disney World when he was involved in a terrible accident with a tractor trailer, causing Shoemaker to lose his lower left leg and foot.  The defense argued contributory negligence.  However, plaintiff’s counsel successfully moved the Court to exclude the defense’s accident reconstruction expert.  Shoemaker’s past and future medical expenses totaled $457,000 and his lost earnings and lost earnings capacity totaled $350,000.  Today, Shoemaker still drives buses with the aid of an artificial leg but his ability to walk is limited on certain terrain.  During trial, the jury saw a video of Shoemaker on crutches escorting his daughter down the aisle at her wedding with others there to catch him if he fell.