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JEFFERSON CITY — A Florida man is suing Camden County, claiming he has incurred more than $200,000 in medical bills and expenses after crashing his bicycle on an unmarked artificial ridge on a roadway.
According to a lawsuit filed Feb. 13 in the U.S. District Court for Western Missouri, Central Division, Steven Wich claims he suffered multiple serious injuries when he encountered a ridge that was 6 to 8 inches high above pavement and 12 inches wide on westbound Breezy Acres Road near Viking Trail in Camden County. He struck the ridge and lost control of his bike, causing him to crash on the road.
The incident took place Sept. 14, 2017, the complaint states.
His alleged injuries include multiple facial fractures, skull fracture, scalp avulsion, temporal lobe contusion, fractured clavicle, rib fractures and protrusions, fractures of the T12 and L1 vertebrae, pneumothorax, multiple abrasions, permanent nerve damage and loss of hearing in his right ear.
He claims that he has been impaired from loss of daily activities and enjoyment of life. He also claims he has lost income and wages.
Wich's lawsuit claims that Camden County should have known of the dangerous condition and should have fixed it or warned people of the condition. He seeks in excess off $75,000 in damages.
He is represented by Matthew A. Clement, Timothy W. Van Ronzelen and Joshua D. Moore of Cook, Vetter, Doerhoff & Landwehr of Jefferson City.