Tyson Szewczyk vs. Jason Jalbert
Case Background
On February 28, 2023, Plaintiff Tyson Szewczyk filed a Car Accident lawsuit in the Connecticut State, Superior Court of Waterbury Judicial District (Case number: UWY-CV23-6069530-S). Judge Carletha Parkinson presided over the case.
Cause
On May 27, 2021, at approximately 6:05 a.m., a significant traffic collision occurred on West Street in Cromwell, Connecticut. The incident involved plaintiff Tyson Szewczyk, a resident of Oakville, Connecticut, who was lawfully operating his vehicle eastbound in the right lane. As Szewczyk proceeded along his route, defendant Jason Jalbert, a Burlington resident, was positioned at the exit of a private parking lot at 176 West Street. Jalbert attempted to execute a left turn onto West Street from the private driveway without proper precaution or warning. This maneuver caused Jalbert’s vehicle to intercept Szewczyk’s path of travel, resulting in an immediate collision. The case’s circumstances were further complicated by the fact that Jalbert owned the vehicle involved, adding another layer of liability to the proceedings. The primary cause of the collision stemmed from Jalbert’s failure to follow proper traffic procedures when exiting a private driveway and attempting a left turn onto a main road.
Injuries
The collision resulted in extensive and severe injuries to Szewczyk, affecting multiple physiological systems. The impact caused significant neurological trauma, including a diagnosed concussion. The concussion was accompanied by persistent photophobia, recurring dizziness, increased irritability, and frequent nausea. Medical imaging revealed severe damage in the cervical region. This included a C6-C7 disc protrusion superimposed upon a disc bulge, which caused ventral cord flattening. Additionally, a C7-T1 disc protrusion resulted in ventral thecal sac deformity. Additionally, Szewczyk developed cervical radiculopathy, causing nerve dysfunction and paresthesias affecting both arms. The musculoskeletal impact extended beyond the cervical region, resulting in bilateral shoulder strain, thoracic and lumbar sprains, and right leg strain. These injuries manifested as chronic headaches and persistent pain throughout multiple body regions, significantly impacting Szewczyk’s daily functioning and overall quality of life.
Damages
Szewczyk sought monetary compensation to cover past and future medical expenses. He also sought compensation for pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and all accident-related costs. The legal relief sought included provisions for additional remedies deemed appropriate by the court. This aimed to ensure comprehensive coverage of all damages suffered by the plaintiff as a result of this significant collision.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal representation
- Plaintiff(s): Tyson Szewczyk
- Counsel for Plaintiff: Anthony J. Masone
- Defendant(s):Jason Jalbert
- Counsel for Defendants: Steven J. Barber
Claims
The legal claims against Jalbert in a Car accident lawsuit comprised multiple violations of Connecticut General Statutes and general principles of negligence. The primary statutory violations included failure to grant the right of way when exiting a private driveway (CGS § 14-247a), failure to yield during left turn execution (CGS § 14-2429(e)), and multiple violations of lane maintenance requirements under CGS § 14-236. Beyond these specific statutory violations, the claims addressed broader aspects of negligent driving behavior. Jalbert demonstrated a clear failure to maintain a proper lookout for other vehicles. He also showed inadequate vehicle control and an inability to take appropriate preventive measures to avoid the collision. The comprehensive nature of these violations indicated a pattern of careless driving. This pattern directly resulted in the collision and subsequent damages.
Defense
The defendant, Jason Jalbert,, responded to the plaintiff’s car accident lawsuit with a strategic combination of admissions and reservations. Regarding the plaintiff’s residence, Jalbert claimed insufficient knowledge to form a belief and requested proof from the plaintiff. However, he admitted to several key factual elements of the case, including his residency in Connecticut, the basic circumstances of both vehicles’ positions during the incident, and his ownership of the vehicle involved in the collision.
Jalbert took a nuanced position on the collision description. While he acknowledged that a collision occurred, he contested the characterization that it happened “suddenly and without warning,” claiming insufficient knowledge to verify this assertion. He conceded to one specific aspect of negligence, admitting that he “failed to maintain proper and reasonable control over a motor vehicle.” However, he maintained insufficient knowledge regarding all other alleged violations of Connecticut General Statutes and claimed negligent actions.
Regarding the plaintiff’s claimed injuries, damages, and ongoing medical expenses, Jalbert consistently asserted insufficient knowledge. He requested proof from the plaintiff for all allegations concerning the concussion, various sprains and strains, disc protrusions, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life. This strategic response effectively placed the burden of proof on the plaintiff to substantiate all claimed injuries and damages while limiting the defendant’s direct admissions to primarily factual circumstances surrounding the incident itself.
Jury Verdict
On October 25, 2024, the jury reached a decisive verdict in favor of plaintiff Tyson Szewczyk against defendant Jason Jalbert. The jury awarded economic damages of $21,065.00 for direct financial losses. Additionally, they awarded $150,000.00 in non-economic damages to compensate for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. The total damages awarded to the plaintiff amounted to $171,065.00 in a Car accident lawsuit
Court Documents:
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