Man alleges injuries after tire hits his vehicle

A man has filed suit against a driver whose tire detached from his truck and struck his automobile, allegedly causing him severe injuries.

Matthew Kaufman filed suit Jan. 27 in Madison County Circuit Court against Stanley Barnes Jr. and NEFA Inc., doing business as University Towing.

According to the complaint, Kaufman was driving north on state Route 157 near its intersection with Hill Creek Road in Collinsville on June 4, 2013, when Barnes, who was driving a 2001 FL60 conventional truck south on the same road for NEFA/ University Towing, lost the driver-side rear dual tire on his truck. The tire struck the vehicle Kaufman was driving, according to the complaint.

As a result, Kaufman claims he suffered injuries, including headaches and pain to his shoulder and arm, and endured a surgical repair. He also says he suffered great pain, incurred medical costs, lost wages and benefits and suffered a significant disability.

Kaufman blames the defendants for causing the collision, saying they negligently failed to properly maintain the vehicle, failed to inspect it, failed to control the vehicle, drove too fast and failed to train the driver in the correct operation of commercial vehicles.

Kaufman seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs. Attorney Shaun Falvey, of Brown and Crouppen in St. Louis, will represent Kaufman.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-100.