Motorcyclist sues after colliding with tractor-trailer

A motorcyclist has filed a lawsuit against a tractor-trailer driver, accusing him of an illegal turn that caused a crash.

Darren Ryland filed suit against Greenbush Logistics and Larry Lee June 25 in federal court in New Orleans.

Ryland says that on March 22, 2010, he was riding his Harley Davidson on Highway 64 behind defendant Lee. Ryland says Lee "suddenly and without warning" executed a right turn from the far left lane. Ryland says the rig drove across all lanes of travel, the shoulder and the entrance to a driveway – making it impossible for Ryland to avoid colliding with the vehicle.

The driver and his employer are accused of negligence, strict liability and vicarious liability for failing to keep a prudent and careful lookout, failing to observe traffic conditions, making an illegal right turn and operating a vehicle in a careless and reckless manner. The defendants are also accused of failing to yield the right-of-way, failing to utilize the last change to avoid the accident, failing to use his turn signals, a horn or lights to give warning and having an unreasonably defective vehicle due to either its original construction or deterioration.

Ryland is seeking more than $1 million in damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, physical disability and impairment of function, impairment of future earning capacity, lost future income, damage to and loss of use of vehicle, loss of enjoyment of life, interest and court costs.

New Orleans attorney Richard H. Baker, IV is representing Ryland.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10cv01821