Driver negligence is one of the most common causes of auto accidents, and if you and your lawyer can prove that the driver was at fault, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. Hiring a Gulfport car accident lawyer can help you gather evidence and build a case against the driver who caused your accident. If you need help initiating a claim or have any other questions, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What is Negligence?
Negligence occurs when a driver fails to use reasonable care while operating their vehicle. This means they did not take the precautions a reasonable person would have under the same circumstances. There are many different ways a driver can be negligent, but some of the most common include:
Texting while driving: Texting while behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. Looking away from the road for just second to look at your phone is enough to cause an accident. A driver who texts and drives is putting not only their own life at risk but the lives of everyone else on the road.
Speeding in bad weather: Speeding is always dangerous but it’s particularly dangerous in bad weather conditions. Slick roads and low visibility make it difficult for drivers to stop or swerve if they need to. As a result, speeding in bad weather increases the chances of an accident.
Driving under the influence: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never a good idea. Not only is it illegal, but it severely impairs a person’s ability to drive safely. Drunk drivers often have trouble maintaining their lane, following other cars at a safe distance, and reacting quickly to changing driving conditions.
Reckless Driving: Reckless driving includes any unsafe behaviors on the road that show a disregard for other drivers’ safety. Reckless driving includes tailgating, weaving in and out of cars, making unsafe lane changes, ignoring traffic signals, and failing to yield. Reckless driving often leads to serious accidents.
How to Prove Driver Negligence in a Car Accident Case
If you were not at fault for the accident, then the other driver may be held liable. To prove driver negligence, you must show that the other driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused you harm.
Duty of care is the legal obligation to avoid causing foreseeable harm to others. When driving, we all have a duty to operate our vehicles in a reasonably safe manner and to obey traffic laws. Speeding, for example, is a breach of duty of care. If speeding resulted in an accident, then the speeding driver would likely be found negligent.
To win your case, you need to show that the other driver’s actions (or lack thereof) directly led to your injuries. This means gathering as much evidence as possible from the accident scene. Be sure to take plenty of photos of the damage to both vehicles as well as any visible injuries that you or your passengers sustained. You should also get contact information from any eyewitnesses who saw what happened. If there is security camera footage of the accident, get a copy of it. Your attorney will also order the police report, which can contain helpful information about what happened and who was at fault. If your accident occurred in Mississippi, a skilled personal injury attorney in Gulfport can help you gather evidence and build a strong case.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you might be able to recover financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and fight for the compensation you deserve.