Car spins out from rear end collision, suit filed

A Jefferson County man claims he suffered injuries after a driver rear-ended his vehicle, causing him to spin out of control and to be struck by another vehicle.

Effrey Lewis filed a lawsuit April 23 in Jefferson County District Court against Gregory L. LaStrapes, Koch Industries, Avis Rent-a-Car System, Avis Budget Car Rental, Avis Budget Group, PV Holding Corp., Avis Car Rental, LMMC Inc., Jose Rojas Garcia Jr. and Jose Rojas Garcia III.

In his complaint, Lewis alleges he drove in the 4100 block of Highway 215 on April 22, 2010, when he stopped for traffic. LaStrapes, who was driving a rental car owned by Avis for his employer, Koch Industries, failed to control his speed and rear-ended Lewis's vehicle, according to the complaint.

In turn, Lewis's vehicle spun into another lane where Jose Rojas Garcia Jr. struck it again. At the time of the collision, Jose Rojas Garcia Jr. was driving a vehicle belonging to Jose Rojas Garcia III, the suit states.

In addition to his injuries, Lewis experienced physical pain, mental anguish and physical disfigurement and incurred medical costs because of the collision, the complaint says. He claims he also lost his earning capacity, lost household services, experienced property damages, incurred repair costs and lost wages.

Lewis blames the defendants for causing the collision, saying they negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to properly apply their brakes, drove too fast, failed to turn to avoid a collision, failed to pay attention, failed to control their speed and failed to stop in time.

Lewis seeks a judgment within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus pre-judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed by law, post-judgment interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.

James M. Lassiter III and Timothy M. McHale of Lassiter Law Firm in Houston will be representing him.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. E192-351