Progressive settles, trial over underinsured motorist benefits cancelled

Rather than go to trial, Progressive County Mutual Insurance opted to settle a suit seeking to recover underinsured motorist benefits.

Area resident Mohammad Mukhtar filed suit against Progressive on Dec. 2, 2013, in Jefferson County District Court.

The case was set to go to trial March 30, but the parties reached a settlement, according to a courthouse official.

The original petition alleges that on Jan. 23, 2012, Mukhtar was traveling on Concord Road when a vehicle in front of him slowed down to turn, forcing him to slow down and subsequently rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Charles Johnson.

The suit says Johnson was uninsured and/or underinsured motorist and that plaintiff fully compiled with all conditions of the insurance policy prior to brining suit.

Mukhtar was suing for damages in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.

Beaumont attorney Trenton Bond of Portner Bond represents him.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. E195-017