LOUISIANA RECORD

GRETNA – A man test driving a used car alleges a mechanic employed by a national auto repair chain who was test driving a customer’s vehicle following repairs ran into him.

Jan E. Pedersen filed suit against House of Lloyd’s, Inc., Midas Auto Systems Experts, Canal Insurance Company, Ronald Martin and their insurers in the 24th Judicial District Court. Pedersen claims he was test driving a car owned by Gretna Used Car Outlet on Huey P. Long Avenue in Jefferson Parish when he struck by a vehicle operated by Martin and owned by a customer of Midas Auto Systems Experts. The plaintiff alleges he suffered severe injuries in the accident.

The defendant, Ronald Martin, is accused of failing to maintain a proper lookout, failing to maintain reasonable vigilance, failing to see what should have been seen, failing to take into account the safety of others, failing to observe due caution, failing to be attentive while driving, failing to observe existing traffic, disregarding other vehicles and failing to act as a reasonable or prudent person.

The defendant, Midas Auto Systems Experts, is accused of allowing Martin to operate the vehicle despite knowing he was an incompetent driver, allowing Martin to operate the vehicle knowing he would drive it dangerously, allowing Martin to operate the vehicle knowing he was likely to cause injury, failing to recognize the danger of allowing Martin to operate the vehicle, failing to verify Martin’s ability to operate the vehicle, negligence as a custodian of the automobile, failing to take into account the safety of others and failing to act in a reasonable or prudent way.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of use and function of parts of his body, bodily disability, impairment of psychological functioning, disability from engaging in recreation, impairment from working to earn an income, loss of income and loss of earning capacity.

Pedersen is represented by William B. Gordon, III of New Orleans-based Ferriol, Perez & Gordon, LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division O Judge Ross P. LaDart.

Case no. 721-588.