ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis man injured in a car accident by an insured driver and facing more than $90,000 in medical bills sued his car insurance carrier over the company's failure to pay him benefits more than two years ago, and he now will have to keep pursuing it in federal court.
According to the lawsuit, filed in 2019 in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Quincy Smith alleges Automobile Club Inter-Insurance Exchange has denied him his policy benefits after an April 2017 car accident caused by a hit-and-run driver left Smith with severe injuries.
Smith was traveling on Interstate 55 near the South 7th Street exit in St. Louis when an "unidentified driver" swerved in front of his car causing Smith to slam on his brakes and crash into a median. As a result of the accident, Smith suffered injuries to his right shoulder, neck and back of which some of the injuries caused him to undergo surgery, according to the court filing.
Smith's lawsuit claims the unidentified driver was not only speeding excessively but was not vigilant about watching the road ahead and failed to stop his/her vehicle or warn of their approach.
Smith claims the defendant committed breach of contract since his insurance policy, which was in full force with premiums being charged, includes coverage for uninsured motorists up to $100,000 for each of his covered vehicles.
Smith is seeking the benefits provided under his policy, recovery for his costs incurred as a result of the accident and attorneys fees.