Improper turn from shoulder caused accident, suit claims

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims caused a collision when she made an improper turn.

Nicholas Blum claim he was driving a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis GS north on Illinois Route 3 in Granite City on Jan. 2, 2008, at about 7:15 p.m. when Kathryn Huff, who drove a 2002 Chevrolet Impala north on the shoulder of the same road, improperly turned on the highway in front of Blum, causing a collision.

Because of the accident, Blum sustained severe and permanent injuries to his mid- and lower-back and suffered great pain and mental anguish, according to the complaint filed Aug. 13 in Madison County Circuit Court. In addition, he was hindered from attending to his usual duties and affairs and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Huff negligently failed to keep her vehicle under proper control to avoid a collision, failed to bring her vehicle to a complete stop, failed to reduce her speed to avoid an accident, failed to properly merge and failed to properly signal before merging, the complaint says.

In his complaint, Blum is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just.

Randall P. Steele of Steele Law Offices in Glen Carbon will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-842.