Multi-car crash subject of lawsuit

A Beaumont woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims rear-ended the vehicle in which she was riding, causing a multi-car collision.

Kim Vanderbeek claims she was riding in a vehicle Lynn Vanderbeek was driving on Dowlen on Dec. 24, 2009, when Lynn Vanderbeek stopped for traffic. At the same time, defendant Gina Thomas, who was driving a vehicle insured by defendant Darius Linton, failed to control her speed and crashed into the back of Lynn Vanderbeek's vehicle, according to the complaint filed Nov. 18 in Jefferson County District Court. In turn, Lynn Vanderbeek collided with the vehicle in front of her, the suit states.

Because of the collision, Kim Vanderbeek sustained neck, shoulder, rib, arm and chest wall injuries; incurred medical costs; lost her earnings and her earning capacity; and experienced physical impairment, physical pain and mental anguish, the complaint says.

Kim Vanderbeek blames Thomas for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply her brakes and failed to keep a safe distance between her vehicle and Lynn Vanderbeeek's.

In her complaint, Kim Vanderbeek is seeking an unspecified judgment, plus pre-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Jonathan C. Juhan and J.J. Bragg of Beaumont will be representing her.

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

Case No. D191-380