Madison County man claims injuries in Godfrey accident

A Madison County man claims he sustained knee and right elbow injuries after a driver attempted to pull in front of the vehicle in which he was riding, causing a collision.

Joseph Michael Ragusa filed a lawsuit Aug. 12 in Madison County Circuit Court against Brian K. Murphy.

In his complaint, Ragusa alleges he rode in a vehicle Bradley Pyatt was driving west on West Homer Adams Parkway in Godfrey on Sept. 13, 2012. Suddenly, Murphy, who was attempting to turn from the gas station QuickTrip onto West Homer Adams Parkway, failed to yield to oncoming traffic and struck the driver’s side of Pyatt’s vehicle, according to the complaint.

In addition to his injuries, Ragusa suffered pain, discomfort and mental anguish; lost his normal life; incurred medical costs; and has been restricted in his usual activities, the suit states.

Ragusa blames Murphy for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to drive at a safe speed, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision and disobeyed a traffic control device.

In his complaint, Ragusa seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Craig J. Jensen of Meyer Jensen in Alton will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-1347.