Suit claims insurer didn't pay uninsured motorist coverage

Shameka and Danny Edward Singleton have filed a complaint individually and on behalf of a minor, Keisha Cotton, against Eugenia M. Durbin and American International South Insurance Company, claiming all three were seriously injured after an accident and that their insurance company would not pay for their medical expenses.

Shameka was driving a Chrysler Sebring with two passengers -- Danny, her husband, and Keisha, her daughter, -- north on Hartman Lane at its intersection with Easton and Park Plaza in O'Fallon on Oct. 25, 2007, according to the complaint filed Oct. 24 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

At the intersection, Shameka was not required to stop, but cars traveling east on Easton or west on Park Plaza were supposed to stop at stop signs, the suit states.

However, Durbin, an uninsured driver who was driving a Buick Riviera east on Easton, failed to stop and collided with the car Shameka was driving, the Singletons claim.

As a result of the collision, Shameka suffered bruises, strains and sprains to her lower back ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, bones and joints, according to the complaint.

In addition, she suffered bruises and contusions to her head, nerves and brain, the suit states.

Danny suffered bruises, contusion, strains, sprains and injuries to the tendons, nerves, bones, ligaments and joints in his lower back and knees, the couple claims.

Cotton sustained aggravation of a previous neck injury and suffered contusions, bruises, strains, sprains and injuries to her neck, according to the complaint.

In addition, she suffered strains, sprains, contusions and injuries to the ligaments, bones, tendons and joints in her lower back, the suit states.

The Singletons claims all three incurred medical expenses in excess of $5,000.

Durbin was negligent because she failed to yield, failed to stop at the stop sign, drove into the intersection in violation of the stop sign, failed to keep a careful lookout, failed to sound a warning and drove too fast, according to the complaint.

The insurance policy the Singletons owned was supposed to provide coverage for uninsured motorists, but it has refused to pay anything to the Singletons, the suit states.

In the four-count suit, the Singletons are seeking unspecified damages, plus costs.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-538.