Drivers" Duties of Reasonable Care - Preventing Car Accidents
Car accidents are all too common these days.
There seem to be so many impatient drivers on the road who can't wait to get where they are going.
Even when we don't reside in big cities and drive through tons of traffic, we have to constantly drive defensively for fear of the impatient drivers.
But no matter how careful you are, as a driver or a pedestrian, accidents happen.
The problem is you can't force others to drive defensively, so good drivers get hurt because of another's actions.
Car insurance is great, but that's not necessarily going to cover all the future medical bills and lost wages.
If you have been hurt due to the carelessness of a driver, you should discuss your situation with a qualified car accident attorney in your state.
Driving a vehicle of any size entails certain minimal legal requirements besides a driver's license.
One of those requirements is every driver is expected to do everything possible to prevent a car accident.
"Duties of reasonable care" refer to the legal terminology used to establish drivers' responsibilities when behind the wheel.
When a driver breaks any of these rules and causes an accident, the driver can be found guilty of negligence.
Continue reading for a brief description of the drivers' duties of reasonable care.
The 5 Drivers' Duties
A car is a dangerous machine when any of these duties are neglected.
If you or someone you love has suffered an accident and you think the driver broke any of these reasonable duties, you need to contact an experienced car accident attorney to help you determine if any of these five duties were broken.
There seem to be so many impatient drivers on the road who can't wait to get where they are going.
Even when we don't reside in big cities and drive through tons of traffic, we have to constantly drive defensively for fear of the impatient drivers.
But no matter how careful you are, as a driver or a pedestrian, accidents happen.
The problem is you can't force others to drive defensively, so good drivers get hurt because of another's actions.
Car insurance is great, but that's not necessarily going to cover all the future medical bills and lost wages.
If you have been hurt due to the carelessness of a driver, you should discuss your situation with a qualified car accident attorney in your state.
Driving a vehicle of any size entails certain minimal legal requirements besides a driver's license.
One of those requirements is every driver is expected to do everything possible to prevent a car accident.
"Duties of reasonable care" refer to the legal terminology used to establish drivers' responsibilities when behind the wheel.
When a driver breaks any of these rules and causes an accident, the driver can be found guilty of negligence.
Continue reading for a brief description of the drivers' duties of reasonable care.
The 5 Drivers' Duties
- Drive within the legal speed limit.
While every driver should be aware of the posted speed limit, a driver is also required to drive at a reasonable speed.
Many times it is traffic or road conditions such as severe weather and visibility that guide our speed.
Speed limit signs reflect the maximum allowed speed under perfect conditions. - Awareness of surroundings.
Drivers are required to stay alert and be aware.
This means they have to be constantly watching for other cars, hazards in the road and the presence of pedestrians.
A "reasonable" person slows down when driving in a neighborhood where children are playing outside. - Maintain control of the vehicle.
For example, drivers must be able to stop quickly when necessary.
In many states, a driver may be found guilty of negligence if a car loses control for no obvious reason. - Maintain & use vehicle's equipment.
Vehicles on the road are required to be maintained and in safe operating condition, and it is the driver's duty to provide this maintenance.
All lights on a vehicle must be in working condition and must be used at appropriate times.
When someone causes an accident because the brakes were unreasonably old, the driver is liable. - State Laws.
Drivers must also follow other related state laws when behind the wheel.
Here are a few examples of related laws:
A car is a dangerous machine when any of these duties are neglected.
If you or someone you love has suffered an accident and you think the driver broke any of these reasonable duties, you need to contact an experienced car accident attorney to help you determine if any of these five duties were broken.
