ESL driver accused of failing to keep proper lookout

A woman claims she sustained back, leg, neck and head injuries after a driver rear-ended her vehicle.

Angela Taylor filed a lawsuit April 24 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ruthie McDonald.

In her complaint, Taylor alleges she drove a 1990 Toyota 4-Runner on State Street near its intersection with 39^th Street in East St. Louis on Sept. 1, 2011, when McDonald, who drove a 2003 Dodge van in the same direction, rear-ended her vehicle.

In addition to her injuries, Taylor incurred medical costs, suffered great pain and mental anguish, suffered disability and lost her normal life, according to the complaint. She also lost wages, the suit states.

Taylor blames McDonald for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to keep her vehicle under proper control, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to drive in a safe manner, drove too fast, failed to use evasive action to avoid a collision, failed to warn Taylor of her impending approach and drove too closely to Taylor’s vehicle.

In her complaint, Taylor seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Steven E. Katzman of Katzman and Sugden in Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-217.