BELLEVILLE – A woman is suing individually and on behalf of her minor daughter for injuries they allegedly both sustained in an automobile accident.
Julie Stitzel, individually, and Emily R. Stitzel, a minor, by and through her mother and next friend, Julie R. Stitzel, filed the suit Jan. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ashley D. Miller and Biotech X-Ray Inc., a Missouri corporation doing business in St. Clair County, citing negligence.
According to the complaint, Miller is an employee of defendant Biotech. On Sept. 25, 2014, Emily Stitzel was allegedly driving southbound on Illinois 13, north of Five Fork Road in New Athens, slowing down in traffic for a vehicle turning right onto Robinson School Road. Miller allegedly was driving a Biotech-owned van in the same direction, behind the vehicle of plaintiff Emily Stitzel, and collided with the back of said vehicle.
This lawsuit states the following negligent acts against both defendants on behalf of herself and her daughter: failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, failing to stop her vehicle in a safe and timely manner and following the plaintiff's vehicle too closely.
As a result of the collision, the Illinois State Police issued a citation to Miller, the suit states, and she plead guilty on Nov. 14, 2014, for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
Both plaintiffs also bring this lawsuit under the Family Expense Statute; medical and hospital expenses have been incurred, and the plaintiffs request recovery of those funds. The injuries both plaintiffs incurred as a result of the accident are severe and permanent and external and internal. They alleged to have suffered pain and expect to do so in the future will further need to pay for future medical care.
Both plaintiffs seek an award of more than $50,000 for each count plus court costs. They are represented by the Law Office of Stephen C. Buser LTD of Columbia.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-56