There are over 5 million road traffic collisions every year in the U.S. Of these, over 40,000 are fatal. What is especially tragic about this picture is that many of those accidents are preventable.
All road users owe one another a duty of care. When that duty is breached, and someone is injured as a result, this is negligence. Here are some of the more common examples of negligent driving.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common forms of negligent driving. It plays a role in more than 20% of fatal road traffic collisions. Roads have speed limits for a reason. Drivers should not go above the speed limit, and they should lower their speed for the conditions if necessary.
Distracted driving
Concentration is an important part of safe driving. There are many distractions out there, and it is crucial that road users try to limit these. Talking on the phone, texting, eating and drinking are all common driving distractions that can amount to negligence.
Drinking and driving
Having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than 0.08% is illegal. There are potential criminal penalties for this, but it is also a form of negligence. When someone is hurt by a drunk driver, they can file a personal injury claim.
These are just three types of negligent driving- there are several others including:
Tailgating
Careless overtaking
Driving too slowly
Running red lights
If you have been injured in a crash, personal injury compensation might be an option. Seek legal guidance to assess your chances of making a successful claim.
The post Common examples of negligent driving first appeared on Martinez & Schill LLP.
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