Insurer sues to recoup damages paid for wrecked vehicle

An insurance company claims it had to pay more than $15,000 to one of its insureds for vehicle repairs following a collision.

Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Co. filed a lawsuit Sept. 29 in Jefferson County District Court against Brittany Nicole Venzant.

In its complaint, Farmers alleges Virginia Sonnier had an insurance policy through Farmers when she and Venzant collided on May 23.

"Immediately before said collision, the automobile was in a first-class condition, and that immediately following said collision had a reasonable market value in and around Jefferson County, Texas of $15,476.75 less than its value immediately preceding said collision," the suit states.

Following the collision, Farmers paid Sonnier $15,226.75, plus car rental fees of $438.87, the complaint says.

Farmers blames Venzant for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to swerve to the left or right to avoid a collision, failed to maintain a proper lookout and failed to timely apply her brakes.

Farmers seeks an unspecified judgment, plus costs, pre-judgment interest and other relief to which it may be entitled.

Lloyd J. Culp of Culp and Little in Houston will be representing it.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. D191-025