A Beaumont woman and her husband have filed suit against the driver they claim rear-ended the woman as she was approaching the interstate.
Bobbie and Edward Chavis claim Bobbie Chavis was driving on the eastbound service road of Smith Road and was attempting to enter Interstate 10 in Jefferson County on Dec. 10 when the collision occurred.
As Bobbie Chavis attempted to merge, defendant Larry Bibbs, who was driving an 18-wheeler owned by defendant Beaumont Warehouse and Transportation behind Chavis, failed to control his speed and struck the rear of Bobbie Chavis' vehicle, according to the complaint filed March 18 in Jefferson County District Court.
Because of the collision, Bobbie Chavis sustained injuries to her head, neck and back and incurred medical costs, the suit states. In addition, she suffered physical pain, experienced mental anguish and sustained physical impairment and disability, the complaint says.
Edward Chavis claims he lost his wife's affection, solace, comfort, companionship, society, assistance and sexual relations due to the accident.
Bibbs negligently failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to maintain proper control of the vehicle, failed to take proper evasive action, failed to control his speed, failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to use reasonable care and failed to stay alert, according to the complaint.
Meanwhile, Beaumont Warehouse and Transportation negligently failed to provide proper driver training, failed to employ a safe and competent driver, failed to employ a qualified driver, negligently entrusted its vehicle, failed to have an accident prevention program in place, failed to have a proper driver recruitment and qualification program in place and failed to provide reasonable testing, the suit states.
In their complaint, the Chavises are seeking an unspecified judgment, plus interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.
Rocky M. Lawdermilk of the Law Office of Rocky Lawdermilk in Beaumont will be representing them.
The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.
Case No. D189-618