Beaumont woman sues over collision with uninsured driver

A Beaumont woman claims her insurance company failed to pay for damages she incurred after an uninsured driver struck her vehicle.

Anita Becker and minor Malaina Seegers filed a lawsuit March 30 in Jefferson County District Court against Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Company.

Becker claims she drove a vehicle in Jefferson County on Jan. 5, 2009, and Seegers rode as her passenger when uninsured driver Latrina Lewis struck them.

Because of the collision, Becker and Seegers suffered severe and debilitating injuries and experienced pain, suffering, mental anguish, a loss of earnings and physical impairment, according to the complaint. In addition, Becker incurred medical costs and sustained property damage, the suit states.

Becker and Seegers say Lewis caused the accident because she negligently failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to maintain control of her vehicle, drove too fast, failed to apply her brakes in a timely manner, failed to exercise ordinary care, failed to turn her vehicle in an effort to avoid a collision, failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision, failed to stop or yield the right-of-way to a traffic signal, failed to grant immediate use of an intersection, failed to proceed into the intersection only when it was safe to do so and drove a vehicle with disregard for others' safety.

At the time of the collision, Becker had an auto insurance policy through Farmers that should have covered any damages caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the complaint says. Because Lewis drove an uninsured vehicle, Becker attempted to submit a claim to Farmers for her damages. However, she claims the insurance company fails and refuses to provide her with coverage.

Becker and Seegers seek a judgment in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

B. Adam Terrell of Weller, Green, Toups and Terrell in Beaumont will be representing them.

The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: B186-431.