Valley Springs, CA (December 10, 2024) – A UTV crash in the Valley Springs area of Calaveras County on Tuesday evening resulted in serious injuries to 29-year-old passenger Jesse Dille of Manteca.
Accident Details: The incident occurred around 6 p.m. at a private property near Sparrowk Road. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), 29-year-old Dylan Gromowski of Valley Springs was operating a 2018 Polaris Razor at a low speed of approximately 10 mph across an open field when he made a sharp left turn. The vehicle overturned onto its right side, ejecting Dille, who was not wearing a seatbelt.
Dille sustained injuries and was airlifted to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto for medical treatment. Authorities confirmed that neither alcohol nor drugs were suspected to have contributed to the accident.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that this incident highlights several legal considerations concerning vehicle safety, liability, and potential personal injury claims:
- Operator Responsibility: Gromowski had a duty of care as the driver to operate the vehicle safely, even at low speeds. If the passenger can demonstrate that the sharp turn was an avoidable negligence, the driver may be liable for the injuries sustained.
- Vehicle Design and Maintenance: It may be prudent to investigate whether the Polaris Razor’s design contributed to the overturn or if there were any mechanical issues that contributed to the crash. If a defect or lack of proper maintenance is found, additional parties, such as manufacturers or owners responsible for upkeep, could be held liable.
- Property Owner’s Role: Since the incident occurred on private property, it’s essential to determine whether any conditions on the property, such as uneven terrain or obstructions, contributed to the crash. The property owner’s liability would depend on the circumstances and whether reasonable measures were taken to ensure safety.
If another party’s negligence contributed to the crash, Jesse Dille may have grounds for a personal injury claim. However, California law generally requires using seatbelts in off-highway vehicles like UTVs, even on private property. Failure to use a seatbelt may increase the severity of injuries and impact potential claims. If Dille’s decision not to wear a seatbelt is deemed contributory to his injuries, any compensation for injuries could be reduced proportionally based on California’s comparative negligence laws.
My thoughts are with Jesse Dille as he recovers from his injuries.
Source: My Mother Lode