NEW MARTINSVILLE – An insurance company is seeking damages from two companies after the wheel/tire assembly on a commercial trailer they did work on became separated and caused injuries to the driver of another vehicle.
Commerce and Industry Insurance Co. filed a complaint in Wetzel Circuit Court against Marietta Transfer Co. and WV Coaters LLC alleging negligence.
According to the suit, in September of 2017, Integrity Delaware brought its commercial trailer, insured by Commerce, to Marietta Transfer for repairs and maintenance. The trailer then went to WV Coaters in Williamstown for painting, which required the removal of the trailer's tires, the suit states.
On Sept. 25, 2017, Integrity was using the trailer on state Route 2 in Wetzel County when the left rear wheel tire/tire assembly separated and hit a vehicle driven by Russell McLaughlin. Commerce alleges it paid $30,223.11 in claims relating to McLaughlin's property damage and bodily injury.
Commerce seeks a trial by jury, costs, interest and all other relief the court deems appropriate. It is represented by James Stebbins of The Lewis Glasser Law Firm PLLC in Charleston.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Jeffrey Cramer.
Wetzel Circuit Court case number 19-C-68