Overturned motorcyclist claims driver in front stopped suddenly

A man has filed suit against the driver who he says suddenly stopped in front of him, causing him to overturn his motorcycle.

Richard Neal claims he was driving south on Route 4 at Interstate 55 when defendant Judy Throne, who was leaving the northbound exit ramp, drove into the southbound lanes of Route 4, then suddenly stopped.

"Plaintiff, Richard Neal, in attempting to avoid the Defendant, skidded and overturned, and struck the pavement," the complaint filed Nov. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court says.

Because of the accident, Neal sustained injuries, pain, suffering, disfigurement and loss of a normal life and incurred medical expenses, according to the complaint.

Throne negligently disregarded a traffic signal, failed to yield the right-of-way and failed to keep a proper lookout, the suit states.

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

James E. Gorman of Lucco, Brown, Threlkeld and Dawson in Edwardsville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1236.