State Farm seeks reimbursement on paid auto claim

An insurance company has filed suit against the driver who it claims rear-ended one of its client’s vehicles.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company claims its insured driver, Krishelle Bland, was driving west on Route 13 near its intersection with Old St. Louis Road in Belleville on Aug. 5, 2011, when she stopped in traffic. Suddenly, defendant Matthew G. Olivero, who was driving a 2000 Dodge Caravan west on the same road, failed to stop and rear-ended her vehicle, according to the complaint filed July 1 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. At the time, Tyhler Battle and Kyrah Edwards were riding as passengers in Bland’s vehicle, the suit states.

Because of the collision, State Farm was forced to pay Bland $7,397.88 for vehicular damages she incurred. In addition, Bland, Battle and Edwards incurred medical costs in the collision, which cost State Farm $3,000, the complaint says. The insurance company also claims to have paid additional, unspecified money to its insureds.

“The plaintiff has paid the sum of $43,750 in uninsured motorist benefits to Krishelle Bland, Tyhler Battle and Kyrah Edwards as a result of this accident,” the suit states.

State Farm blames Olivero for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to properly control his vehicle, drove too fast, failed to keep a proper lookout and failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision.

In its complaint, State Farm is seeking a judgment of $54,147.88, plus costs.

It will be represented by Harry Ray Chiles Jr. of Chiles and Associates in Wheaton.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-332.