AAA sued for allegedly refusing to settle insured's collision claim

A woman claims an insurance company refuses to settle her claim for injuries she received during a collision.

Paula J. Beland filed a lawsuit Sept. 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Automobile Club Inter-Insurance Exchange.

In her complaint, Beland alleges she drove north on Highway 127 near its intersection with Old Highway 13 in Jackson County on Sept. 17, 2011, when she stopped for traffic. The car behind her, driven by Jess N. Crabtree, also stopped in traffic. However, the car behind Crabtree’s, which was driven by Jann L. Calandro, failed to stop in time, rear-ending Crabtree’s vehicle and pushing it into the back of Beland’s, according to the complaint.

Because of the accident, Beland suffered injuries, endured permanent disability, lost her normal life and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

At the time of the collision, Beland had insurance through Automobile Club Inter-Insurance Exchange. Following the accident, Beland filed a claim with her insurance company, seeking money for the damages she sustained in the accident, the complaint says.

“AAA Insurance has vexatiously and unreasonably refused to settle Beland’s underinsured motorist claim,” the suit states.

In her complaint, Beland seeks a judgment of $35,000, plus attorney’s fees, costs and an additional $25,000.

B. Jay Dowling of the Law Offices of Sterling and Dowling in Fairview Heights will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-477