Motorcyclist sues truck driver over accident injuries

A man says he became disabled and disfigured after a truck driver struck his motorcycle.

Joshua M. Ritzel filed a lawsuit Jan. 22 in Madison County Circuit Court against Andrew C. Thompson.

Ritzel claims he stopped his motorcycle to make a left-hand turn from Broadway onto Meadowlark in Highland on March 8 when Thompson, who drove a pickup truck in the same direction, struck him.

Because of the accident, Ritzel suffered severe and permanent injuries, great physical pain, mental anguish and loss of a normal life; incurred medical costs; and experienced a diminished earning capacity, according to the complaint.

Ritzel blames Thompson for following his motorcycle too closely, for driving too fast, for failing to maintain a proper lookout, for failing to keep his truck under proper control and for failing to reduce his speed to avoid a collision.

Ritzel seeks a sum of more than $50,000, plus fees and costs.

Matthew J. Marlen of Belleville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-66.