A Beaumont woman has filed suit against the driver, who she claims collided with her when the driver ran a red light, and against her insurance company, which refused to pay her damages following the collision.
Sandra Collier claims she was riding in a vehicle defendant Thomas Cantu was driving at the intersection of Dowlen Road and Delaware Avenue in Beaumont on Oct. 20 when defendant Jane Ellen Sexton, who was driving east on Dowlen Road, ignored a red light and struck Cantu's vehicle.
Because of the collision, Collier sustained serious injuries to her neck and back and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint filed Dec. 9 in Jefferson County District Court.
In addition, she lost wages and her earning capacity and experienced mental anguish, physical pain, suffering, disability and physical impairment, the suit states.
Sexton negligently caused the collision because she failed to stop at a red light, failed to yield the right-of-way and drove too fast, the complaint says.
Collier also names Cantu as a defendant, saying he negligently failed to yield the right-of-way when turning left.
At the time of the collision, Collier's 2007 Chrysler 300 was insured by defendant Old American Insurance Company. After the accident occurred, Collier called Old American to make a claim for the cost of her vehicle's property damage, according to the complaint. However, the insurance company has denied her claim.
Collier alleges Old American violated the Texas Insurance Code, breached its contract, failed to promptly pay her claim and breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing.
In her complaint, Collier is seeking actual damages, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest at the maximum rate and other relief the court deems just.
She will be represented by Clay Dugas and Mike Jacobellis of Clay Dugas and Associates in Beaumont.
The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.
Case No. E188-938