Negligence is a critical element in many personal injury cases. Most personal injury cases are built on the theory of negligence, making it a vital part of recovering compensation. Negligence is the conduct that ends up causing harm to another person. In car accidents, negligence is the driving behavior that leads to the accident.
While proving negligence may seem like a straightforward process, it’s hardly ever simple and requires a thorough investigation of the accident and other contributing factors. At Hollis Law Firm, we know the ins and outs of personal injury claims. We are committed to helping our clients build strong claims and pursue the compensation they deserve.
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4 Examples of Negligent Driving in Kansas City
Negligent behaviors are often behaviors that are illegal or fail to consider the legal standard required of drivers. Duty of care is important to the theory of negligence because it establishes that drivers owe others on the road a legal obligation to prevent causing them harm. When they are reckless or careless behind the wheel, they breach that duty and are therefore considered negligent. Examples of driver negligence include:
Drunk Driving or Driving Under the Influence
Most people are aware of the harm that drunk driving or driving under the influence can cause, but even then, people still risk it. Nearly everyone has seen public service announcements on TV that advise against drinking and driving, however drunk driving is still a leading cause of car accidents.
Tailgating
Tailgating is common but dangerous behavior practiced by many drivers, especially during high traffic times. While the recommended distance is one car space between every car on the road, few people follow that rule and instead drive as close to the other vehicle as possible. When cars follow too close to the car in front of them, they are placing themselves at a disadvantage. Tailgating limits the space a car has to respond to any behaviors of the vehicle in front of them. If the front vehicle suddenly breaks for whatever reason, tailgating can lead to a rear-end accident that could have otherwise been avoided.
Running a Red Light
Drivers find themselves believing that they can run a red light if they’re fast enough. Drivers will speed to try and make it despite the red light thinking they’ll be fine if they just speed through. However, the other vehicles aren’t looking for a speeding driver. They see the green light and continue driving, expecting their path to be clear. Whether a driver is in a rush or not paying attention, running a red light can lead to severe accidents with serious injuries to all drivers involved.
Driving While Tired
Driving while tired can cause as much impairment as driving under the influence. When the brain and body are tired, they are not only slow to react but often focus on being unable to sleep to give the road in front of them much attention. A driver choosing to continue driving despite being too tired to focus on driving properly is behaving negligently because they’re practicing behavior that puts themselves and others at risk.
Work With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Kansas City
Despite knowing that certain behaviors and choices can lead to severe accidents, some drivers will still risk themselves and others. At Hollis Law Firm, we believe in holding negligent drivers responsible for their actions and helping our clients pursue maximum, fair compensation. We can help you gather the evidence necessary to establish negligence and liability, holding the liable party accountable for damages.
The aftermath of an accident can be just as terrifying and confusing as the accident itself. Our Kansas City car accident lawyers guide our clients through the personal injury process so they feel confident in their legal representation. Contact our firm today at (800) 701-3672 or complete our online contact form.
