Head injuries claimed in motorcycle accident

A man has filed suit against the driver who he claims rear-ended his motorcycle.

Danny R. Herzing claims he was driving his Harley Davidson west on 19th Street near its intersection with Cleveland Boulevard and Niedringhaus Avenue on April 11, 2010, when he stopped in order to obey a traffic signal. Suddenly, defendant Linda L. Thornton, who was also driving west on 19th Street, struck the rear of Herzing's motorcycle, according to the complaint filed March 14 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Herzing suffered injuries to his head and body; became sick, sore, lame and disordered; and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, the suit states. In addition, he incurred medical costs and lost wages, the complaint says.

Herzing blames Thornton for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to keep her vehicle under proper control, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to reduce her speed to avoid a collision, drove too fast and followed Herzing's vehicle too closely.

William J. Mateyka of Mateyka and Associates in Granite City will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-326.