Eight people say they have failed to collect any money from their insurance company after an underinsured driver struck the vehicle in which they were riding, severely injuring them.
In a lawsuit filed April 30 in Jefferson County District Court against Turner Brothers Crane and Rigging, Green Leasing, Nathaniel Don Nichols and Safeco Lloyds Insurance Company, the plaintiffs say they were involved in an accident on Aug. 23, 2007, with Nichols in Liberty County.
Although the lawsuit does not say how the accident occurred, it does say the plaintiffs were insured by Safeco. Their policy was supposed to include coverage for underinsured drivers like Nichols, according to the complaint.
The plaintiffs in the suit include Port Neches residents Phillip Jeffrey Sigman, Frances Kay Sigman, Sadie Mary Sigman and minor Trey Michael Crow, Oceanside, Calif., residents Jonathan Lee Hardy, Sara Bernice Hardy, minor Cailey Faith Certa and minor Ethan Alexander Hardy.
Because of the accident, the plaintiffs say they have sustained physical pain, mental anguish, emotional trauma and physical impairment, have incurred medical costs and have lost wages.
They say the defending companies were negligent.
The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified judgment, plus costs, interest and other relief to which they may be entitled.
Paul F. Ferguson Jr. of Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont will be representing them.
The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.
Jefferson County District Court case number: E183-929.