Glisson
Jurors in Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge's courtroom listened to arguments Tuesday in a lawsuit over a 2010 car wreck in Alton.
Plaintiff Maxine Hughes, 63, claims she was struck by a vehicle driven by defendant Stephen Einsel on Feb. 22, 2010.
According to her complaint, Hughes was southbound on Alby Street near the intersection of 20th Street when Einsel, who was eastbound on 20th Street, allegedly pulled his 2004 Dodge Neon into the intersection, and struck Hughes' 2001 Pontiac Grand Am.
"He darted out in front of me and sped up," Hughes said during questioning from her attorney, Michael Glisson.
Hughes, an administrative assistant for the Alton Middle School, was driving about 25 to 26 miles per hour when the defendant struck her vehicle, she testified.
She had a deep bruise on her left thigh about three inches in diameter, she claims.
Hughes' lawsuit describes her injuries to her left knee, left thigh, left hip, left hand, back and other areas of her body.
Einsel is being sued for negligently and carelessly failing to keep his automobile under proper control, for negligently and carelessly failing to keep a proper lookout for other automobiles on the public street and failing to give a proper signal or sound his horn in time to warn Hughes.
Defense attorney Paul Travois told jurors "this is a case about damages."
Einsel alleged in his answer to Hughes' original complaint that Hughes failed to keep her vehicle under control. She failed to watch for other cars, failed to stop her car in time to avoid colliding with the Einsel's vehicle, failed to reduce speed and drove too fast for conditions.
"It was a pretty severe impact. You're here to see what she's entitled to," said Glisson.
Hughes is seeking damages of less than $50,000.