EDWARDSVILLE – An Illinois motorist is suing another driver for allegedly causing a collision when he drove after dark without his headlights on.
Luis Serrano-Cardenas filed the lawsuit Feb. 25 in Madison County Circuit Court against Rodrigo Lopez-Rodriguez, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, on Aug. 8, 2014, Serrano-Cardenas was driving westbound on Collinsville Road in Fairmount City, and Lopez-Rodriguez was driving eastbound on the same road. It was after dark, the suit says, and the defendant allegedly did not have his headlights on.
As a result, the plaintiff claims he did not see the defendant's vehicle, began a left-hand turn and struck the defendant's vehicle.
According to the suit, the defendant was driving at a dangerous speed without headlights, failed to reduce speed to avoid a collision, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed the exercise reasonable care in operating the car, and drove without headlights after dark.
Because of these acts, the lawsuit says, the plaintiff suffered permanent injuries, physical harm and mental anguish, will continue to incur medical costs, and is precluded from engaging in normal activities, including the ability to earn money.
Serrano-Cardenas seeks a judgment in excess of the court's jurisdictional limits. He is represented by attorneys Ted N. Gianaris and G. Michael Stewart of Simmons Hanly Controy in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-265