Woman claims injuries in Charleston accident

A woman claims her head, neck, shoulders, arms, back and legs were injured after a rear-end collision.

Melissa Gidcumb filed a lawsuit June 16 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Kathleen Frazier.

Gidcumb says that on Aug. 26, 2007, at about 11:25 p.m. she was driving a 1994 Mercury Cougar west on Illinois Route 16 near its intersection with Division Street in Charleston.

As Gidcumb was slowing to make a left turn, she says Frazier drove her 2003 Chevrolet Impala into the back of Gidcumb's vehicle.

In addition to her injuries, Gidcumb says she became sick, sore, lame and disordered, suffered great pain, anguish and internal derangement of the injured members of her body and has been prevented from earning money and from participating in her usual activities. She also says she has incurred medical costs.

Gidcumb claims Frazier failed to keep her vehicle under proper control, failed to observe Gidcumb's vehicle, drove too fast for the road conditions, failed to reduce her speed to avoid a collision and followed Gidcumb's vehicle too closely.

Gidcumb is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Richard G. Reed and Jeanine R. Armstrong of Reed and Bruhn in Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-314.