CLAY WOMAN SUES I-79 TRUCKER FOR INJURIES

(02/01/2013)
By Kyla Asbury/WV RECORD

CHARLESTON - A Clay County woman is suing Pjax, Inc., after she was injured in a car accident caused by one of its employees.

Jason Lee Thomas, an employee of Pjax, was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On Jan. 26, 2011, Tiffany Ward was a passenger in a vehicle traveling north on Interstate 77 when Thomas, who was operating a tractor-trailer owned by Pjax, attempted to change lanes and collided with the vehicle she was in, according to a complaint filed Jan. 18 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Ward claims Thomas was operating the vehicle in a negligent and dangerous manner and was doing so in the scope of his employment with Pjax.

As a result of the defendants' actions, Ward suffered pain in her neck, back, right hip, lower extremities and right shoulder, according to the suit. Ward claims the defendants' negligence also caused her to incur substantial medical expenses, suffer mental anguish and suffer permanent physical impairment.

Pjax knew or should have known of Thomas' proclivities toward reckless operation of motor vehicles and despite that knowledge, allowed him to operate its vehicle, according to the suit.

Ward is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Damon L. Ellis.