A St. Clair County jury awarded a motorist $7,654.08 in damages for a Caseville accident allegedly caused by a driver who collided with the plaintiff while attempting to change lanes.
The jury trial began March 29 in Associate Judge Heinz Rudolf’s courtroom.
Plaintiff Brian Knepp was represented by William Miller III of Alton.
Defendant Gregory Meyer was represented by Roger Wilson of St. Louis.
Knepp filed his complaint on Feb. 10, 2016. He alleged he was driving a 2003 Ford Escape eastbound on I-64 in Caseyville Township when Meyer’s 2006 Ford F150 truck collided with his vehicle while attempting to change lanes.
Knepp alleged the impact caused his vehicle to spin out of control and crash into the median wire on the left side of the interstate.
As a result, Knepp claimed he sustained injuries to his neck, back, left hip, left hand and left ankle.
The plaintiff alleged Meyer negligently and carelessly drove his vehicle in a reckless fashion in complete disregard for the safety of others, failed to exercise ordinary care to avoid a collision, failed to stop his motor vehicle in time to avoid striking Knepp’s vehicle, failed to keep his vehicle in the proper lane and failed to keep a proper lookout.
On Sept. 22, the arbitrators decided on an award in favor of Knepp in the amount of $13,000, plus costs of $343.
Meyer rejected the award on Oct. 11 and requested a jury trial.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-AR-108