Detroit Lions Star Ndamukong Suh to Face Trial in Car Accident Lawsuit

Published on 09/27/2012 -

By John Clark

Ndamukong Suh, a star defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, has helped save a moribund franchise, but his life isn’t all sunshine.

According to a recent report from the Detroit Free Press, Suh will have to face trial this spring after a resident Oregon filed a car accident lawsuit against the massive lineman.

The trial, however, won’t begin until March, so Suh won’t have to miss any Lions games in order to fly to Portland to stand trial.

NFL Player Faces Damages in Car Accident Lawsuit

The personal injury claim had its origins in a one-car accident allegedly caused by Suh last December, according to the Detroit Free-Press.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiff, Saadia Van Winkle, claims that Suh acted negligently when he allegedly crashed his 1970 Chevrolet Coupe while Van Winkle was riding in the backseat.

Sources say that Suh apparently crashed his vehicle into a light pole, a tree, and a drinking fountain in Portland, Oregon, while he was driving late at night on December 3.

At the time, Suh was serving a two-game suspension that had been leveled against him by the Lions after he engaged in some on-field incidents during the 2011 season.

In her lawsuit, Van Winkle is seeking more than $1 million in damages and has accused Suh of negligence, reckless driving, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, a relatively common tort claim that is often tacked on to personal injury claims.

Van Winkle’s personal injury attorney told sources that her client still suffers pain stemming from neck and back injuries caused during the accident. In addition, Van Winkle has a scar from a cut she suffered above her eye that required several stitches.

Another Professional Athlete Targeted by Lawsuit

While lawsuits against athletes seem to be more common than lawsuits filed against regular, working class folks, not every celebrity lawsuit deserves to be shrouded in suspicion.

Van Winkle’s lawsuit, for example, alleges that Suh called 911 after his accident and told responders that everyone involved in the crash was fine, despite apparent evidence to the contrary.

If Suh indeed knew that Van Winkle was injured, and told emergency personnel that she didn’t need medical attention, he may very well have acted negligently and is the worthy target of a lawsuit.

However, Suh did not face any criminal charges in the accident, and Portland police have closed their investigation of the accident, so Van Winkle may have a difficult time proving her claim and collecting such lofty damages.

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