Motorcyclist claims shop negligently installed rear tire

An Alton man involved in a motorcycle accident filed suit against Midwest Motor Sports, LLC, in Madison County Circuit Court May 9, alleging an inspection of repairs to his motorcycle was not done.

The suit was the 400th case filed in the Law Division this year in Madison County.

Joshua Hargis claims he was driving his 1992 Suzuki GSX-R750 north on Illinois Route 3 in East Alton on Oct. 10, 2006, when he lost control of his motorcycle and fell to the roadway.

Hargis claims that prior to the accident, Hartford-based Midwest Motor Sports serviced his motorcycle by installing a new rear tire.

He claims that Midwest Motor Sports breached its duty to exercise ordinary care and caution while repairing the bike by negligently installing the rear tire without aligning the rear wheel axle in the swing arm of the motorcycle.

Hargis also claims Midwest negligently failed to align the axle adjustment bolts while installing the tire, failed to inspect repairs and failed to road test the motorcycle after installing the rear tire in order to assess whether the repairs were correctly made.

According to Hargis, he sustained severe and permanent injuries to his head, torso and limbs which caused and continues to cause pain, suffering, disdability, disfigurement, medical expenses and lost wages.

Represented by Robert Gregory of East Alton, Hargis is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder.

08 L 400