Rear-end accident subject of suit

Aline N. Shands has filed suit against Robert L. Worthen, alleging she was injured after he rear-ended the vehicle in which she was riding.

Shands was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped at a light while heading east on Eagle Park Road at its intersection with Illinois Route 203 in Madison, according to the complaint filed Jan. 20 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Worthen, who was traveling in the same direction, failed to stop at the light and hit the rear of the car in which Shands was traveling, the suit states.

Because of the accident, Shands claims she suffered injuries and pain, experienced a permanent disability and loss of a normal life and incurred medical expenses.

She also lost wages, according to the complaint.

Worthen was negligent by driving too fast, by failing to reduce his speed to avoid a collision, by following the car in which Shands was riding too closely, by failing to keep a proper lookout, by failing to keep his vehicle under proper control and by failing to stop to avoid the accident, the suit states.

Shands is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs.

She is represented by B. Jay Dowling of the Law Offices of Sterling and Dowling in Fairview Heights.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0024.