According to the CDC, car accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries in the United States. Many people who are involved in car accidents seek to prove negligence from the other party involved in order to receive compensation and recover from any damages the accident may have caused. But what types of negligence are involved in a car accident case? This article will go over some of the most common forms of driver negligence, driver negligence statistics, and provide a better understanding of how driver negligence can be proven in a car accident case. 

What is Driver Negligence?

Driver negligence is the act of a driver failing to do his or her duty in acting with reasonable care for other drivers on the road. Negligent driving has the potential to harm and injure others while driving. There are a multitude of elements that constitute negligent driving, from driving under the influence to speeding. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common forms of driver negligence. According to the CDC, nine people every day are killed in a car accident that involves distracted driving in the United States. Forms of distracted driving are endless, but some of the most common include: 

  • Texting and driving
  • Eating or drinking while driving
  • Driving with earbuds in 
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
  • Drowsy driving

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is responsible for 30% of car crash deaths in the United States every year. Driving under the influence not only falls under the category of distracted driving, it is also a leader amongst negligent driving cases. According to the San Diego car accident lawyers at Haffner & Morgan, LLP., “Public awareness campaigns over the past several decades have started to decrease the number of alcohol-fueled crashes, but they still remain a serious problem across the country”. 

Speeding

Failure to obey the general rules of the road, especially speeding, is considered negligent driving. The higher the speed of a car, the more likely someone is to be hurt or killed. The risk of serious and life-threatening injuries while traveling at over 55 miles per hour is 78%. That is 63% more than driving at a speed of 40 miles per hour. Speeding becomes even more of an issue in weather conditions such as rain, ice, snow, sleet, and fog. The consequences of speeding are more than dangerous, they are deadly – and speeding is cited as negligent driving often.

Other common forms of traffic violations that are considered negligent driving include: Failure to stop at a light/stop sign, illegal turns, failure to use turn signals, driving on private property, and more. 

How Do You Prove Driver Negligence?

Proving driver negligence can be an extremely complicated and complex process. It involves a large amount of investigation, expertise, and dedication by a legal team in order to prove negligent driving. Interviewing witnesses and gathering as much evidence as possible is crucial in proving negligence in a car accident case. If you are ever involved in a car accident that you believe to be caused by negligent driving, make sure to take as many photos as possible in order to strengthen your claim and provide evidence for your legal team to work with.