Motorcyclist claims driver turned left in front of him

A man claims he was seriously injured after a driver attempted to make a left-hand turn, but instead crashed into his motorcycle.

Michael J. Cosimi filed a lawsuit Nov. 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Carolyn G. Truman.

Cosimi claims he was driving his 2007 Triumph motorcycle west on Greenmount Crossing Drive at its intersection with Greenmount Road in Shiloh on March 18 at 12:02 p.m.

At the same time Truman was attempting to make a left-hand turn in her 1998 Nissan Pathfinder when she collided with Cosimi, according to the lawsuit.

Because of the accident, Cosimi suffered severe and permanent injuries, incurred medical costs, lost income and suffered extreme physical pain to his head, face, neck, mouth, teeth, shoulders, trunk, abdomen, back, spine, arms, hands, legs and feet, the complaint states. In addition, he is disfigured, disabled and unable to live a normal life, the suit says.

Cosimi blames Truman for failing to yield the right-of-way, for failing to keep a proper lookout, for failing to maintain adequate distance between her vehicle and Cosimi's, for failing to reduce her speed to avoid an accident, for failing to sound her horn to avoid a collision and for failing to keep her vehicle under control.

Cosimi is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just.

Rhonda D. Fiss of the Law Office of Rhonda D. Fiss in Belleville will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-593.