Injury suit filed over North Illinois accident

A man claims he sustained neck, back, spine and face injuries after a driver rear-ended his vehicle.

Herbert Simmons filed a lawsuit Nov. 16 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Shirley J. Harmon and Med Star Ambulance.

In his complaint, Simmons claims he drove a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria north on North Illinois Street on Dec. 28, 2010, when he stopped for traffic. Suddenly, Harmon, who was driving a 1991 Lexus behind him, struck the Ford, according to the complaint. At the time of the collision, Simmons was driving for Med Star, the suit states.

Because of the collision, in addition to his injuries, Simmons experienced pain and suffering, incurred medical costs and lost wages, the complaint says. He also sustained a permanent impairment of his earning capacity and lost his enjoyment of a normal life, the suit states.

Harmon negligently drove too fast, drove without regard for the safety of others on the road, failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to properly apply her brakes, failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision and failed to exercise ordinary care, the complaint says.

Simmons names Med Star as a respondent in discovery, saying he believes it has information that is essential in determining who else should be named as defendants in the lawsuit.

In his complaint, Simmons is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Michael K. Nowak of Becker, Paulson, Hoerner and Thompson in Belleville will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-621.