A tragic car accident on July 4, 2022, has led to a lawsuit filed by two injured individuals against the driver they claim is responsible. The complaint was filed by Jacoby & Meyers Attorneys LLP in the Ventura Superior Court on June 13, 2024, naming Edward Lee Reiner as the defendant.
The plaintiffs, John Willard Graham Jr. and Jane William Forrest, allege that they were severely injured when Reiner made an unsafe left turn onto Symphony Lane in Thousand Oaks, California. According to the complaint, Graham was driving northbound on Lindero Canyon Road with Forrest as his passenger when Reiner's southbound vehicle collided with them. The plaintiffs assert that Reiner's actions were negligent and violated several sections of the California Vehicle Code.
The lawsuit details that at approximately 9:40 p.m., Reiner was operating a blue BMW 321ic with license plate number 5BSY325 when he failed to yield the right-of-way before making his turn. This failure resulted in a collision that caused significant injuries to both plaintiffs, necessitating their transport by ambulance from the scene.
The complaint further alleges that Reiner’s negligence includes failing to pay attention to his surroundings and not controlling the speed and movement of his vehicle properly. Specifically cited are violations of California Vehicle Code sections 21801(a) and 22107. Section 21801(a) mandates drivers intending to turn left or complete a U-turn must yield to approaching vehicles close enough to pose a hazard during the turning movement until it can be made safely. Section 22107 prohibits turning or moving right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and after giving an appropriate signal if another vehicle may be affected.
The plaintiffs argue that these statutory violations directly caused their injuries and damages. They claim they fall within the class of persons these laws aim to protect and that their injuries are precisely what these laws seek to prevent.
In their prayer for relief, Graham and Forrest seek non-economic damages exceeding the jurisdictional minimum of the court for pain and suffering, economic damages for medical expenses and lost wages, pre-trial interest, prejudgment interest, costs of suit incurred, and any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Randi L. Thompson and Cavone N. Moore from Jacoby & Meyers Attorneys LLP. The case has been assigned Case No.: 2024CUPA025911 in Ventura Superior Court.