Motorcyclists claim permanent injuries in Highway 143 collision

Two people claim they suffered severe and permanent injuries after a driver struck the motorcycle on which they were riding.

Brett E. Miller and Patti L. Miller filed a lawsuit Aug. 6 in Madison County Circuit Court against Leonard W. Schaefer.

In their complaint, the Millers allege Brett Miller drove his motorcycle west on Illinois Highway 143 near its intersection with White Oak Lane in Madison County on Aug. 28, 2011, when Schaefer, who was driving east on the same road, collided with his vehicle. At the time of the accident, Patti L. Miller was riding as a passenger on the back of Brett Miller’s motorcycle, according to the complaint.

Because of the collision, the Millers suffered severe and permanent injuries, were hindered and prevented from attending to their usual duties and suffered great pain and anguish, the suit states. They also lost each other’s support and society, the complaint says.

The Millers blame Schaefer for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to swerve at the appearance of danger, drove without keeping sufficient care, drove too fast, failed to keep a proper lookout ahead, failed to equip his vehicle with adequate brakes and failed to stop or yield the right-of-way.

In their two-count complaint, the Millers seek a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

David J. Jerome, Kenneth B. Belinski and Richard E. Salmi of Brown and Brown in Fairview Heights will be representing them.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-1321.