Swansea accident causes physical and emotional pain, suit says

A woman alleges she suffered great mental and emotional pain when a driver struck the vehicle in which she was riding.

Bonnie L. Horn filed a lawsuit Aug. 21 in St. Clair County Circuit court against Bradley J. Smith.

In her complaint, Horn says she was riding in a 2008 Ford Mustang, which was traveling south on Lebanon Avenue near its intersection with North Gilbert Street in Swansea on Sept. 26, 2012, at about 11:25 a.m. Suddenly, Smith, who was driving a 2011 Hyundai Sonata south on the same road, struck the vehicle in which Horn was riding, according to the complaint.

In addition to her pain and suffering, Horn lost her enjoyment of life and incurred medical costs, the suit alleges.

She blames Smith for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to leave sufficient distance between his vehicle and Horn's, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control and failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision.

In her complaint, Horn seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Robert C. Nelson of Nelson and Nelson in Belleville will represent Horn.

The case number is St. Clair County Circuit Court case 14-L-601.