Illinois Motorcycle Crash Victim Sues Car Driver for $50,000

By Jim Greene

Published on July 16, 2010

An Illinois woman injured when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger collided with a car is suing the car's driver for $50,000, claiming the defendant's negligence was the cause of the crash.

Plaintiff Kathy D. Manno was thrown from the motorcycle and injured March 8, 2009, in Fairview Heights, Ill., about 12 miles east of East St. Louis. According to her lawsuit, filed last month in St. Clair County Circuit Court in Belleville, defendant Deanna L. Haas caused the crash by failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, thereby crashing into the motorcycle.

Lawsuit Lists Many Contributing Factors in Crash

Manno's motorcycle accident lawsuit accuses Haas of driving too fast, driving without adequate brakes, failing to apply her brakes, failing to have a properly working horn, failing to yield the right-of-way, failing to keep her vehicle under proper control, failing to take actions necessary to avoid a collision, and failing to bring her vehicle to a complete stop at a stop sign.

The suit asks for financial compensation for injuries, medical costs, lost income, damage to Manno's earning capacity, pain and suffering, and reimbursement of legal costs.

A hearing in the matter has been scheduled for Sept. 23 in front of Judge Patrick M. Young.

Case Demonstrates Danger to Motorcyclists

The case of Kathy Manno demonstrates the vulnerability of motorcyclists and their passengers, especially at intersections. When it comes to trial, it may also demonstrate a fact borne out in studies of police accident reports: car drivers are frequently unaware of the presence of a motorcycle until it is too late to avoid a crash.

If you've been injured in a motorcycle crash, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. The specialized knowledge that such an attorney will bring to your case could make the difference in getting you the financial compensation you deserve to take care of past, present, and future expenses.

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