Belleville lawyer claims injuries in West Main accident

A Belleville lawyer is suing the driver who he claims attempted to perform a u-turn in front of him.

Richard W. Schaefer filed a lawsuit Oct. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Calvin C. Humphries.

Schaefer claims he was driving a 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan west in the 8600 block of West Main Street in Belleville on Nov. 2, 2007, when Humphries, who had illegally stopped his 1999 Cadillac Deville in the curbside traffic lane of the same street, suddenly initiated a u-turn as Schaefer was approaching him.

"Defendant u-turned right into the path of Plaintiff causing Defendant's vehicle to strike Plaintiff's vehicle," the suit states.

As a result of the collision, Schaefer's neck, back, shoulders, arms and legs were injured and he suffered pain and disability, according to the complaint.

Schaefer blames Humphries for driving too fast, for parking illegally in the curb area, for attempting to conduct a u-turn across three lanes of traffic, for failing to maintain control of his vehicle, for failing to obey traffic laws and for failing to stop his vehicle to avoid a collision, the complaint says. In addition, Humphries failed to yield to traffic having the right-of-way, failed to yield to traffic already in the road and failed to keep a proper lookout, Schaefer claims.

Schaefer is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Schaefer of Schaefer Law Firm in Belleville will be appearing pro se.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-585.