A man claims an intoxicated driver struck him, causing a collision that left the man with severe and permanently disabling injuries to his knee and right leg.
Nathaniel Bergmann filed a lawsuit March 30 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Jaovon Hardges.
In his complaint, Bergmann claims he drove south on Union Hill Road near its intersection with Carbon Street in Fairview Heights on Feb. 3 when Hardges, who drove north on the same road, crossed the center line and struck him.
In addition to his injuries, Bergmann sustained great pain and mental anguish and lost large sums of money because of his inability to pursue his normal occupation, according to the complaint.
In addition, he incurred medical costs, the suit states.
Bergmann blames Hardges for causing the collision, saying he negligently drove while under the influence of alcohol, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to keep his vehicle in the proper lane and failed to keep a proper lookout. Hardges also negligently failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision and drove too fast, the complaint says.
Bergmann seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.
Bruce R. Cook of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville will be representing him.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-163.
Man claims crash with drunk driver left him permanently disabled
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