MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A man has filed suit against a bus company, alleging he lost consciousness after he slammed his head against an unpadded, metal head rest during a rear-end collision.

Christopher M. Leffler claims he was riding on a 2000 Ford Cutaway bus operated by defendant Madison County Transit on Dec. 14, 2012, when defendant Graham Schloesser drove his 1985 Cadillac Deville into the back of the bus. In turn, Christopher Leffler lurched forward, hitting his head on the metal headrest in front of him and losing consciousness, according to the complaint filed Dec. 10 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Christopher Leffler suffered severe injuries, including a concussion, post-concussion syndrome, abrasions and chipped teeth, headaches, blurred vision, sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating and neck and low back injuries, the suit states. He also suffered disability, incurred medical costs, lost wages and experienced pain and suffering, the complaint says.

Katie Leffler, who was married to Christopher Leffler at the time of the collision, claims she lost her husband’s services, consortium and companionship because of the accident.

Christopher Leffler blames Schloesser for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove in such a manner so as to strike the back of the bus, failed to apply his brakes to avoid a collision, drove too fast and failed to keep proper attention to avoid a collision.

He also names Madison County Transit as a defendant, saying it negligently failed to provide padded headrests, failed to repair the headrests on its passengers’ seats, failed to adequately inspect the passenger seats for hazards, provided headrests that were not adequately padded and stopped the bus in a location where it could be struck without activating safety lights.

In his complaint, Christopher Leffler is seeking a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs.

W. Michael Gnavi of Gnavi Law Office in Collinsville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-2064.