Poplar Street Bridge accident causes severe injuries, suit says

A man has filed suit against the driver he claims struck his vehicle.

Phillip L. Biermann filed suit March 13 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Melissa Matthews.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff was driving west on the Poplar Street Bridge when he stopped for traffic on April 16, 2012. Suddenly, the defendant, who was driving in the same direction, struck his vehicle, according to the complaint.

Because of the collision, Biermann suffered severe and permanently disabling and disfiguring conditions, endured injuries to his back and neck and suffered great pain and mental anguish, the suit states. He also incurred medical costs and lost money because of his inability to pursue his normal occupation, the complaint says.

Biermann blames Matthews for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to reduce her speed to avoid an accident and drove too fast.

Biermann is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs. He is being represented by Gregory L. Shevlin of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 14-L-402.