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Negligence: how it works in car accidents

On Behalf of | Dec 11, 2019 | Car Accidents

Car accident victims in Georgia may be eligible for compensation under personal injury law, but they must prove that negligence on the other side caused their injuries, property damage or other losses. Negligence is anything that goes against the reasonable care that one should exercise toward others, such as the lawful entrants of a business property or for drivers and pedestrians.

One common way that drivers are negligent is by breaking traffic laws. They may fail to signal a lane change, run red lights or exceed the speed limit. In bad weather, they may be negligent even in following the speed limit if it is still too fast for road conditions. Tailgating is another negligent action as drivers must keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Drivers are supposed to be alert to their surroundings. Whatever hinders this, be it a smartphone or a conversation with others in the car, makes drivers negligent. Distracted driving, it should be noted, is quickly becoming one of the leading causes of car accidents.

Drivers may fail to uphold safety even before they enter their car. If they need prescription glasses, they may neglect to wear them. If they have worn and malfunctioning vehicle components, they may neglect to have them repaired.

Most car crashes are the result of negligence, and in this state, even those who are partially to blame may be able to recover damages. A successful accident claim might cover losses like medical expenses, income lost during the physical recovery and pain and suffering. To see what their chances of success are like, victims may consult a lawyer. Once hired, the lawyer might bring in investigators and other third parties to gather evidence before proceeding to the settlement negotiation stage.

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