Personal Injury Law

Caseyville Accident Victims File Suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court

By Ryan Bradley, Esq.

Two lawsuits have been filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court regarding a car accident which took place last April. Alex D. Johnson was driving his vehicle southbound on Union Hill Road, with one passenger, Latanya S. Ford. Travis G. Dillon drove through the intersection of Union Hill Road and Frank Scott Parkway West in Caseyville, striking the vehicle with Johnson and Ford inside. Both Ford and Johnson are claiming Dillon caused the collision, stating he was negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout, failed to properly apply the brakes of his vehicle, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision, and failed to yield to Johnson?s vehicle. Ford and Johnson are each suing for disability and disfigurement, pain and mental anguish, lost earnings, incurred medical costs and diminished earning capacity. Ford and Johnson seek a judgment of more than $50,000 in each complaint, as well as costs and any other relief the court deems just. Gregory M. Tobin of Pratt will be representing both Ford and Johnson in their suit.

Injuries suffered by an individual following a serious car accident are meant to be offset through the recovery of compensatory damages. Many times, serious injuries result in the victim incurring staggering medical bills which may encompass a substantial portion or even all of the available insurance coverage. The award of compensatory damages must also take into consideration any possible future medical costs. Actual damages can include monetary awards for medical expenses, property damage and loss of income, while general damages may be awarded in some instances for pain and suffering, mental anguish or lost opportunities in the future.

The victim of an auto accident could be awarded actual damages for the repair or replacement of the automobile damaged in the accident and possibly reimbursement for the required rental vehicle during the time the damaged vehicle is being repaired. If the victim of an auto accident is unable to work due to injuries from the accident, he or she may be entitled to money which would normally be earned during that time period as well as for the loss of a regular paycheck due to necessary medical treatments. The most personal element for the victim of an auto accident is the amount of physical pain endured as well as the level of suffering that pain causes.

Because every individual?s pain tolerance is different, determining the exact amount can be problematic. An experienced Missouri personal injury lawyer can be instrumental in collecting information from medical practitioners, determining the quantity of medication the injured person requires, as well as the various types of medical treatment necessary and the proposed length of those treatments. A Saint Louis personal injury attorney may also speak to the injured person?s spouse or closest friends and relatives to determine the extent of change to the victim?s quality of life. Generally speaking, the sooner you contact a Missouri car accident attorney to investigate your claim, the better, as personal injury cases of this nature are time-sensitive.

Full post as published by Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog on February 03, 2011 (boomark / email).