Woman says driver caused rear-end collision

A woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims rear-ended her vehicle after she changed lanes. 

Shirleen Levier Thomas claims she was driving north in the 800 block of Interstate Highway 10 in the inside lane when she switched on her turn signal and navigated to the outside lane.

“Six to eight seconds after the plaintiff changed position to the outside lane, the defendant struck the plaintiff in the rear of the plaintiff’s vehicle,” the suit states. “The plaintiff made a safe lane change, based on the delay of the collision after the lane change, and the defendant was negligent in striking the plaintiff’s vehicle.”

Because of the collision, Thomas incurred medical costs, experienced physical pain and suffering, endured physical impairment and lost earnings and household services, the complaint says. She also claims she incurred property damages of $9,000, endured mental anguish and will incur the cost of medical monitoring in the future.

Thomas blames defendant Alyssa Nicole Frederick for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep a safe distance between her vehicle and Thomas’s and failed to timely apply her brakes.

In her complaint, Thomas is seeking damages in an amount 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.

Alex Bill III of Winnie will be representing her.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 60^th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. B194-286