Two car accident lawsuits went to trial this week in the Madison County Circuit Court.
Both trials began on Monday.
LaCheryl Lewis’ suit is in Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth’s court. She is represented by Steven Dioneda of Kullmann, Klein & Dioneda PC in St. Louis
Lewis filed her complaint on July 14, 2014, against Courtney Heuerman following a vehicle accident in Edwardsville.
She alleges that on Sept. 12, 2012, Heuerman was driving her vehicle northbound on N. University Road near the intersection of P2 Road at a turnaround point.
Lewis adds that on July 11, 2005, she was driving northbound on N. University Road near the same intersection when she stopped with her turn signal on, waiting to turn onto S. University Road. While stopped, Lewis alleges the defendant collided with the rear of her vehicle.
The seven year difference between the two dates listed in the lawsuit was not explained and an amended complaint was not provided.
Lewis alleges Heuerman negligently and carelessly drove her vehicle at a high, dangerous and excessive rate of speed, failed to keep her vehicle under control, failed to have her brakes in proper order, failed to keep and maintain a careful lookout, followed the plaintiff’s vehicle too closely and failed to exercise ordinary care.
Heuerman answered the complaint on Aug. 6, 2014, through attorney Michael Murphy of Freeark, Harvey & Mendillo in Belleville. She argues that the plaintiff’s own negligence was the sole proximate cause of any alleged injuries.
She adds that the any alleged injuries “were the result of independent, intervening causes over which defendant had no control and which were not known to or reasonably foreseeable by defendant.”
Lewis seeks damages in excess of $50,000.
The second vehicle collision trial is taking place in Associate Judge Tom Chapman’s court.
Plaintiff Heather Ragan filed her lawsuit against Tracy Lewis on Aug. 18, 2014. The plaintiff is represented by Evans and Dixon in St. Louis.
Ragan alleges that on May 21, 2014, she was driving a vehicle northbound on State Route 159 in Glen Carbon near a Bank of Edwardsville parking lot. At the same time, Lewis was allegedly waved by a third party to pull out of the bank parking lot. She proceeded into oncoming traffic and allegedly struck the front right corner of Ragan’s vehicle.
Ragan alleges Lewis failed to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision, drove at speeds greater than reasonable under the conditions and failed to yield the right of way.
Lewis answered the complaint on Sept. 19, 2014, through Knapp, Ohl & Green in Edwardsville. She argues that Ragan’s alleged damages were caused by her own negligence.
State Farm Insurance Company filed a motion to intervene in the case on Jan. 14 in order to protect their subrogation interest. The company provides insurance for the plaintiff.
State Farm stated that Ragan had received $3,964 for medical bills from the defendant’s insurance company, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, and $12,423 in property damages.
Their motion was granted on Jan. 23 and arbitration was set for Feb. 29. The parties were unable to reach an agreement and took the case to trial.
Madison County Circuit Court case numbers 14-L-981 and 14-AR-371