Passenger sues driver after car leaves roadway

A Godfrey man is blaming the driver of a car in which he was riding for causing him injuries after getting into an accident.

Anthony Ingles filed a lawsuit Aug. 18 in Madison County Circuit Court against Gregory A. Cottingham.

Ingles claims he was riding in a car Cottingham was driving "at a high rate of speed" on May 17, 2008, on Victory Road between Summerville and Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County.

As Cottingham attempted to negotiate a curve in the road, he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the road, according to the complaint.

In turn, the collision caused "various parts of Plaintiff's body, including but not limited to, his head and back, to violently impact upon various interior surfaces within the vehicle, all to his detriment and damage," the suit states.

As a result of the accident, Ingles suffered severe and permanent physical injuries, disability, disfigurement, physical pain, suffering and mental anguish and an impaired enjoyment of his everyday activities, the complaint says. He also claims he was hindered from pursuing his normal course of employment and lost large sums of money.

Ingles blames Cottingham for driving too fast, for exceeding the maximum speed limit, for failing to avoid leaving the road, for failing to drive with due regard for the safety of all people, for failing to keep his vehicle under control and for failing to reduce his speed to avoid a collision.

Ingles is seeking compensatory damages of more than $50,000, plus costs.

S. Russell Meyer and Amy M. Meyer of Meyer Law Firm in Alton will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-862.