Ways to Avoid Negligent Driving

Most of the time, when you read about drivers being negligent, the material is written from the perspective of the driver who has been injured. And, while it's important to know steps to take if you are the injured party, it's just as important, maybe more so, to understand what to do if you happen to be the negligent driver. Take preventative measures to ensure your driving habits are safe for you as well as others, and avoid being negligent. Not only could you cause someone injury or even death, you could also face a lawsuit and find yourself in court for criminal charges.

Your Obligations

Negligence means not taking the actions that would reasonably be expected of someone else in your position. For example, people can reasonably expect that you will adhere to basic traffic laws and stop at a four-way stop sign. If you were to speed past the stop-sign and injure a pedestrian, that could be considered as negligence and, therefore, a criminal offense. Make sure you obey the rules of the road. Don't speed, obey the intersection rules, and don't cut people off when they're trying to change lanes. Adhering to traffic regulations and generally being a courteous driver are two of the best things you can do to avoid negligence.

Substance Abuse and Driving

One of the most dangerous forms of driver negligence is getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. If you've been out having a few drinks, be sure that you stay away from your vehicle. Drunk driving kills thousands of people every year, and getting caught can mean severe legal penalties. If you injure or kill someone, you may also find yourself being sued by the other party for negligent driving, even vehicular manslaughter. Juries have very little sympathy for drunk drivers that cause injury and death, so it's in everyone's best interest to never drink and drive.

If it Happens to You

If you are injured by a negligent driver, contact a car wreck lawyer. If you are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, a Dallas car accident attorney is absolutely the best kind of legal professional for you to contact. They will be familiar with the state laws and will be able to best represent you in court. Some of these attorneys work on a contingency agreement, which means that you don't have to pay them any upfront fees and that you don't have to pay them any fees at all if they don't win your claim or when you a settlement.