Morrissey
Jurors in Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla's courtroom heard testimony from both sides Tuesday in a trial over a rear-end accident in 2009 on the campus of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Plaintiff Katrina Biggs is suing Jennifer Trgovich for an amount exceeding $50,000.
Biggs, 50, was injured when her 2007 Dodge Caliber was struck from behind on Cougar Lake Drive by Trgovich's 2002 Jeep Wrangler at 5:55 a.m. on Jan. 26, 2009.
Biggs is accusing Trgovich of failing to stop behind Biggs' vehicle and for failing to keep her vehicle under control. Biggs also accuses Trgovich of failing to reduce the speed of her vehicle to avoid the collision.
Biggs' lawyer, Richard Reed, accuses Trgovich of causing Biggs to seek physicians' care for her injuries and is reasonably certain to require future professional care for her injuries.
After the accident, Biggs testified her chest hit the steering wheel, and her knees hit the bottom of the car.
"It just jarred me really hard," she said.
Biggs testified that she saw a doctor after the accident, who took X-rays, gave her shots and medicine. She told him how much pain she was in. She was taking more pain medication than ever and that doctor suggested that she see a neurologist.
She also testified about having lower back problems, neck problems and rheumatory arthritis before the accident. She stated that she took the prescription drugs Prozac and Xanax for anxiety.
Trgovich testified that after the impact, her airbags did not deploy.
She said she asked Biggs if she was OK.
The attorneys rested their arguments. Hylla ordered the jury back for closing arguments at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.