Proof in a Negligence Case

Understanding how to prove negligence is important if you've been in an accident, such as a car accident, and want to file a personal injury claim. Such claims arise when one party (the plaintiff) alleges that another party (the defendant) failed to exercise reasonable care, resulting in their injury.

What are the Elements of Negligence?

A successful negligence case requires proof of four key elements:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

Let's break these down.

Duty of Care

This is the legal duty that a driver owes to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists on the road. The duty of care involves complying with traffic laws, like stopping at a red light, to prevent harm to others. The standard is to act as a "reasonable person" would under similar circumstances.

The duty of care also requires drivers to be vigilant and fully attentive while driving. This involves:

• Checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Using mirrors effectively
• Being mindful of other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists

Breach of Duty

A breach occurs when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care. For instance, if a motorist runs a red light, they've breached their duty of care. This is often referred to as driver negligence.

Examples of breach of duty go beyond running a red light. Disregarding posted speed limits not only violates traffic laws but also poses a significant risk to others on the road. This is a breach of duty. The higher the speed, the less control a driver typically has, and the more severe an accident can be.

With the rise of mobile devices, distracted driving has also become a leading cause of auto accidents. Any activity that diverts attention from driving, like texting, using a navigation system, or eating, breaches the driver's duty of care.

Alcohol and drugs also impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. This leads to a clear breach of duty. The substances affect a driver's reaction time, judgment, coordination, and general awareness, significantly increasing the risk of an accident.

Drivers also have a responsibility to adjust their driving habits according to the current road and weather conditions. For example, continuing to drive at high speeds in heavy rain, dense fog, or on icy roads could demonstrate a lack of reasonable care.

Causation

This element is crucial in linking the defendant's breach of duty to the plaintiff's injuries. The plaintiff must show that the defendant's negligence caused their accident injuries.

To meet this requirement, the plaintiff must prove two types of causation: cause-in-fact and proximate cause. Cause-in-fact, also known as actual cause or but-for causation, requires that the injuries would not have occurred "but for" the defendant's actions. In a car accident case, for instance, the plaintiff must prove that they would not have been injured but for the defendant's decision to run a red light. Proximate cause requires that the harm be a foreseeable result of the defendant's negligent behavior.

Suppose a driver ignores a red light and hits another car, which results in the other driver suffering a broken arm. In this case, the negligent driver's action is both the cause-in-fact and the proximate cause of the injury, as it's reasonably foreseeable that running a red light can lead to a collision and subsequent injuries.

Now, let's imagine a different scenario. If the other driver, while recovering from the broken arm, slips on a wet hospital floor and suffers a head injury, the negligent driver likely wouldn't be held responsible for the second injury. Although it wouldn't have happened "but for" the car accident, head injury is too far removed from the initial negligent act for there to be proximate cause.

Damages

The plaintiff must prove that they've suffered actual harm, like personal injury or property damage, due to the defendant's negligence. Medical bills, medical records, and proof of lost earning capacity can help establish this. Examples of damages include:

• Medical Expenses: These are often the most expensive costs in a personal injury case. Medical expenses include bills for hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, and any other treatment necessary for the plaintiff's injuries. Future medical expenses can also be included if ongoing care or future surgeries are expected.
• Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If the plaintiff's injuries cause them to miss work or reduce their ability to work in the future, they can seek compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Documentation from employers, as well as expert testimony, can substantiate these losses.
• Property Damage: If a motor vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, the cost of repair or replacement could be included in the claim.
• Pain and Suffering: Damages are not limited to financial losses. Plaintiffs may also be entitled to compensation for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident and their injuries.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This refers to the decreased ability to enjoy the day-to-day activities, hobbies, exercise, and other pleasures of life that the plaintiff enjoyed before their injuries.
• Loss of Consortium: If the plaintiff's injuries adversely affect their relationship with their spouse, including loss of companionship or the ability to maintain a sexual relationship, they may be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium.
• Wrongful Death: In the unfortunate event of a wrongful death, the deceased's loved ones can file a lawsuit to recover damages, such as funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

The purpose of these damages in a negligence case is to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in had the negligence not occurred.

Evidence in a Negligence Claim

Evidence can come from the accident scene itself, such as:

• Photos of property damage
• Skid marks
• Traffic signals

Eyewitness accounts can also be instrumental in substantiating your car accident claim. Police reports written by the responding police officer can provide an objective perspective. They can establish key facts about the auto accident.

Other records may also serve as evidence if they can demonstrate:

• The extent of property damage
• The existence and scope of injuries
• The financial burden resulting from the accident

Comparative Negligence and Its Role

Sometimes, both parties may share fault in a car accident case. This concept is known as comparative negligence. For example, if you were speeding when another driver ran a red light, both of you could be considered at-fault drivers. The degree of fault for each party can affect the amount of compensation in a personal injury case.

There are two main types of comparative negligence:

• Pure Comparative Negligence: Under this system, a plaintiff can recover damages even if they were 99% at fault for the accident. However, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For instance, if you were awarded $100,000 in damages but were found to be 30% at fault, you would receive $70,000.
• Modified Comparative Negligence: In this system, a plaintiff can recover damages only if they were less than 50% or, in some states, less than 51%, at fault for the accident. Like pure comparative negligence, the plaintiff's recovery would be reduced by their percentage of fault.

Seeking Legal Advice

Negligence cases can be challenging. A personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and advocate for you.

If a loved one suffered a wrongful death or serious personal injury in a car crash, or you want to discuss your car accident claim, consider reaching out to a personal injury lawyer who handles vehicle accident and negligence cases.