Insurance company sues driver to recover paid claim

An insurance company was forced to pay one of its clients more than $50,000 after a driver rear-ended his vehicle, according to a recently filed lawsuit.

Consumers Insurance Company filed a lawsuit June 4 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Cindy L. McKinney.

In its complaint, Consumers Insurance Company claims it paid Robert L. Priester $54,002.75 for property damages he sustained when McKinney rear-ended his 2008 Chevrolet Express. At the time of the collision, Priester was driving west on 20th Street near its intersection with Illinois Avenue in Granite City on June 13, 2012, when his vehicle was hit by a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country McKinney was driving in the same direction, according to the complaint.

Consumers Insurance Company blames McKinney for causing the collision, saying she negligently drove too fast, failed to keep a proper lookout and rear-ended Priester’s vehicle.

In addition to the money it claims it paid Priester, Consumers Insurance Company seeks other relief the court deems just. It is being represented by Jeffrey Suess of Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch and Champion in St. Louis.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 14-L-809.