Collision suit against Farmers settles before trial

An automobile collision suit that named Farmers Insurance as a defendant settled before trial.

Plaintiff Bryan Swigert filed a lawsuit Nov. 6, 2012, in Jefferson County District Court against Denzel Richard, alleging Richard ran a red light and collided with his vehicle.

Swigert also sued Farmers seeking to recover uninsured motorist benefits.

According to a courthouse official, the parties reached a settlement and called off the trial set for Monday.

In his complaint, Swigert claims he drove east in the 1500 block of the Interstate 10 service road approaching its intersection with the 1400 block of Spur 380 on Jan. 4, 2012, when Richard, who drove north in the 1400 block, ran a red light and struck Swigert’s vehicle.

Richard allegedly negligently failed to drive in a reasonable manner, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to control his speed and failed to stop at a red light, the complaint says.

Swigert was seeking damages of $100,000 or less, according to his second amended complaint.

Clay Dugas of Beaumont represents him.

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

Case No. E193-561