A lawsuit alleging injuries from a rear end collision in Godfrey is at trial in Madison County Circuit Judge Sarah Smith's courtroom.
The trial began on Nov. 1.
Plaintiff Kyle Plummer is represented at trial by Tim Chartrand and Taylor Fehrenz of Williamson Webster Falb & Glisson in Alton.
Defendant Natalia Bishop is represented by Joel Beckwith of Freeark Dennis Murphy & Moskop PC in Belleville.
According to a statement of the case filed Oct. 21, Bishop admits she was negligent. The issue before the jury is the nature and extent of damages.
Plummer filed the original complaint on Oct. 29, 2019, against Bishop.
Plummer later filed a two-count amended complaint on Sept. 24, 2020. He claims he was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu on Nov. 2, 2018, when he was stopped at a red light on West Delmar Avenue at its intersection with West Homer Adams Parkway in Godfrey. Plummer claims he was facing eastbound at the intersection. At the same time, Bishop was driving a 2001 Toyota Highlander on West Delmar Avenue and was approaching the intersection with West Homer Adams Parkway.
Plummer alleges Bishop negligently crashed into the rear of his vehicle “with enough force” to cause him to then hit the rear of the vehicle in front of him.
Plummer claims Bishop owed a duty of reasonable and ordinary care in operating her vehicle when she negligently failed to reduce her speed to avoid the collision, failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast for conditions, failed to warn of the impending collision, drove too closely to Plummer’s vehicle, drove while distracted and failed to swerve to avoid the collision.
As a result of the collision, Plummer claims he sustained injuries to his head, neck, back, arms, and ears, among other parts of his body. He alleges he endured pain and suffering, lost his normal life and incurred medical expenses.
Plummer sought more than $50,000 for each count, plus attorney’s fees and court costs.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 19-L-1532