Woman alleges injuries in rear-end collision

A woman has filed suit against the driver whom she alleges rear-ended her vehicle.

Melissa Karas alleges she was driving a 2005 Audi A6 east on Interstate Highway 64 near its intersection with Ballas Road in St. Louis County, Missouri, when defendant Lisa A. Smith, who was driving a 2006 Ford Escape east on the same road, struck the back of her vehicle.

Because of the collision, Karas suffered head, brain, neck, spine, back, shoulder, arms, wrist, hand, chest, abdomen, pelvis and left leg injuries and experienced great pain and suffering, according to the complaint filed Dec. 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. She also incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Smith negligently drove too fast, failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to reduce her speed, followed Karas' vehicle too closely, struck the back of Karas' vehicle, failed to take corrective action and failed to drive in a careful manner, the complaint says.

Karas seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Attorney Bradley J. Sylwester, of Paule, Camazine and Blumenthal in Clayton, Mo. will represent Karas.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-822.