Cab company sued by injured passenger

A woman says she sustained severe and disabling injuries after the driver of a vehicle in which she rode failed to stop at a traffic sign.

Patricia L. James filed a lawsuit Dec. 23 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dujuan L. Joiner and Dennis Hollenback doing business as Liberty Cab.

James claims on April 1 she rode in a vehicle Joiner drove west on East 20th Street at its intersection with Alby Street in Alton. At the time of the incident, Hollenback owned the vehicle Joiner drove, according to the complaint.

Suddenly, the vehicle struck Terry Quigley's vehicle as he proceeded north on Alby Street, the suit states.

In addition to her injuries, James incurred medical costs; experienced great pain, suffering and emotional distress; and could not carry out her usual daily activities, the complaint says. She also claims she lost wages and sustained disability and disfigurement.

James blames Joiner for the accident, saying he drove too fast, failed to reduce the speed of his vehicle to avoid a collision, failed to keep a sufficient lookout, failed to yield the right-of-way at an intersection and failed to yield at a stop sign at an intersection.

In the two-count suit, James seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Gregory D. Abel, Cindy R. Baum and Coryn I. Steinfeld of Hausmann-McNally in Decatur will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1396.