Sudden lane change leads to lawsuit

A Beaumont woman says she suffered physical pain and mental anguish after a driver suddenly switched lanes.

Lillian Hines filed a lawsuit June 22 in Jefferson County District Court against TS Acquisition doing business as Texas Star Express and Roger Walker.

Hines claims she drove in the 5900 block of Interstate 10 on Sept. 9, 2008, when Walker, who drove a 2000 Freightliner tractor pulling a 2007 box trailer owned by Texas Star Express, unexpectedly made an unsafe lane change and collided with Hines' vehicle.

Because of the accident, in addition to her pain and anguish, Hines lost earnings and her earning capacity, suffered physical impairment and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint.

She blames Walker for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to drive within a single lane and violated one or more of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

In her complaint, Hines seeks economic and non-economic damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Kenneth W. Lewis of Bush Lewis in Beaumont will be representing her.

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

Jefferson County District Court case number: B187-121.