There is nothing like driving down the open highway on a warm, clear day when you have nothing to do and nowhere to go. It is times like these when you are most thankful for your driving privileges. Unfortunately, not all drivers take such privileges seriously, and some drivers do not value their own safety or the safety of others. Much of the wide-open areas outside of town are notorious for speeding and careless drivers who end up causing serious accidents, sometimes with multiple injuries.
Negligence is irresponsible, reckless, or careless behavior that results in harm to a person. When driving, a person may be considered negligent if they are engaging in illegal or dangerous actions, such as speeding, failing to stop at a red light, refusing to properly yield, texting, or not stopping for a pedestrian. All motorists must take reasonable measures to keep others safe and obey the laws of the road. If they fail to do this and cause an accident, they can be held liable for their negligence.
If you are involved in a car accident while driving in town or away on a trip, you will need to prove the person who caused the accident was negligent. Legally, drivers are required to take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of others, and if they do not, they are “breaching” their duty of care. When evaluating whether this duty of care was breached, the court will consider what a reasonable person would do under the same circumstances. You will also need to prove that the actions of the defendant directly resulted in your injuries and that you suffered measurable losses.
If the other driver is proven to have been negligent, you may be eligible for compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you recover financial losses. If the other driver was negligent, they may be responsible for paying for your emotional pain and suffering, vehicle damage, medical bills, and lost wages.
Driver negligence is a major problem on today’s roadways with no solution in sight. Perhaps laws need to be more stringent to deter would-be wrongdoers from driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or texting while driving. In the meantime, good drivers should be extra alert for negligent drivers. This will give them more time to react and to prevent accidents.