One of the elements that must be shown in order to win a personal injury case for a car accident is showing that the other driver was negligent or not driving safely. If you have been injured by another driver, you may wonder under what circumstances a driver is negligent. Here are a few of the most common reasons why a driver may be found to be negligent in a car accident personal injury case.
They Were Drunk or Impaired
One of the reasons why a driver may be negligent in a car accident is because they were drunk or impaired. Even if a driver does not meet the legal threshold for being drunk, if they consumed alcohol, their response time may be delayed, which can lead to an automobile accident. They can be found negligent for this.
They Were Distracted
Another common reason why a driver may be found negligent is that they were distracted while driving. Cell phones are currently a huge reason why drivers may be distracted, but they are not the only reason. A driver may be distracted because they are looking at their radio while driving, because their child is crying in the back seat, or because they are tired.
They Were Speeding
Speeding is one of the largest contributors to car accidents. If another driver was driving faster than the speed limit, or they were driving too fast for the driving conditions at the time of the accident, they may be found to be negligent and at-fault for the accident.
They Were Following Too Closely
When driving, you must not follow too closely. You must allow yourself room to stop if a driver slams on their brakes or slows down. If a driver was following too closely, they may rear-end someone because they did not allow themselves enough room to bring their car to a stop.
They Failed to Stop at a Sign or Light
The final common reason why a driver may be deemed to be negligent is that they failed to stop at a stop sign or a traffic light. Drivers must abide by all traffic signs and signals, and if they fail to do so, they are negligent and at-fault for the accident.
There are many ways in which a driver can be negligent that can lead to an auto accident. If you have been injured in an automobile accident as a result of another driver's negligence, you should consider consulting with a personal injury lawyer. They can help prove negligence in your case by talking to witnesses, obtaining camera footage, recreating the accident, and/or relying on the police report. The majority of car accident personal injury attorneys offer free consultations, so schedule yours today to discuss your accident with a professional.
Share2 October 2019
When it comes to your personal rights, how much do you really understand the law. About ten years ago, I realized that I didn't really understand my rights when I was accused of something that I knew I didn't do. I could tell that I needed to work with a lawyer who had a better understanding of what I was up against, so I contacted a local team that could help. They were really incredible to work with, and I was impressed with how well they were able to fight the charges. This blog is here for anyone struggling with legal drama.