Couple claims injuries in collision with city bus

A woman claims she suffered neck, back and shoulder injuries after a bus driver merged into her lane and struck her vehicle.

Gloria Harder and Craig Harder filed a lawsuit Sept. 4 in Jefferson County District Court against Beaumont Municipal Transit System and Donnie Thibedeaux. 

In their complaint, the Harders claim they were traveling east in the 4100 block of Pinkston in Jefferson County on Feb. 20, 2013, behind a 2008 Nabi North America Bus Thibedeaux was driving for Beaumont Transit.

"Plaintiffs attempted to turn left into a private drive when defendant passed on the left causing plaintiffs to collide with defendant," the suit states.

Due to the collision, in addition to their injuries, the plaintiffs incurred medical costs, suffered physical pain and mental anguish and endured physical impairment and disability, the complaint says. They also suffered physical disfigurement, they claim.

They blame Thibedeaux for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to timely apply the brakes, failed to maintain proper control of the vehicle, failed to take proper evasive action, failed to control his speed, drove in a no-passing zone and failed to keep a proper lookout, among other negligent acts.

In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs seek an unspecified judgment, plus interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.

M. Dru Montgomery of The Heartfield Law Firm in Beaumont will be representing them.

Jefferson County District Court case number: B196-079

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Jefferson County District Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it represents only one side of the story.