Three local residents claim injuries due to improper lane change

Three Jefferson County residents claim they were seriously injured after a man improperly switched lanes and struck the side of their vehicle.

Vanderick Edwards, Skylar Harris and Kevin Harris filed a lawsuit April 29 in Jefferson County District Court against Lionell A. Ford and Sun Coast Resources.

The plaintiffs say they were traveling north in the 3000 block of W. Cardinal Drive on July 19 when Ford, who was driving a vehicle owned by Sun Coast Resources, changed lanes and struck their vehicle.

Because of the accident, Edwards sustained injuries to his neck and back, the complaint says. Skylar Harris's head and eyes were injured during the collision, according to the complaint. Kevin Harris sustained hand and wrist injuries, he says.

All three plaintiffs suffered a loss of earnings and earning capacity, physical pain, mental anguish and physical impairment, according to the complaint. They have also incurred medical costs.

By failing to maintain control of his vehicle, by failing to stay in his lane of travel, by improperly switching lanes, by failing to keep a proper lookout, by failing to signal by driving in a negligent manner and by failing to maintain a single lane of traffic, Ford was negligent, the complaint says.

Sun Coast was negligent through allowing Ford, who was known to be an unsafe driver, to drive its vehicle, the complaint says.

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified actual, exemplary and punitive damages, plus pre-judgment interest, costs and other relief to which they may be entitled.

Clay Dugas and Mike Jacobellis of Dugas and Associates in Beaumont will be representing them.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: D183-917.