Hit And Run Motorcycle Accident
Hit-and-run victim strikes back
By Brian Krans
originally posted on QCOnline.com
A United Township High School teacher who lost his left leg in a
motorcycle accident two summers ago has filed a lawsuit against the
woman who admitted to hitting him and fleeing the scene.
An attorney for Sean Mizlo, 37, demanded his client be paid more than $100,000 in damages related to the cost of surgery and rehabilitation, according to the lawsuit filed in Rock Island County Circuit Court.
The suit is against Patricia A. Collins, 22, of Davenport. She pleaded guilty in March 2006 to one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. The deal was reached with Mr. Mizlo's approval.
She could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Ms. Collins was sentenced to serve 60 days in jail and two years of probation and pay $12,000 for Mr. Mizlo's out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.
The lawsuit alleges Ms. Collins was negligent in several ways, including failing to keep her car under control, driving at an unreasonable speed, failing to drive on the right side of the road and failing to report the accident.
Mr. Mizlo was heading east on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle toward Silvis in the 1300 block of 30th Avenue on July 15, 2005. A 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse heading west on 30th Avenue crossed the center line into the oncoming lane and struck Mr. Mizlo. The car didn't stop. A passing motorist stopped and helped Mr. Mizlo and called 911.
Ms. Collins abandoned her car because of the damage. She admitted being involved in the accident three days later.
Mr. Mizlo, a United Township High School special-education teacher and assistant wrestling coach, had his left leg amputated above the knee as a result of the crash. He's since returned to teaching special education and coaching sophomore wrestling at United Township High.
When not teaching and coaching, he plays wheelchair basketball for the Quad City Rough Riders, and now is traveling and playing wheelchair softball with the Schaumburg Flyers.
A case management conference on the lawsuit has been set for Sept. 20.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death because of a hit and run accident, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
