5 Duties Every Driver Has to Act with Reasonable Care
Colorado car accident attorney R. Mack Babcock wants you to know how to keep yourself safe on the road
Our Denver car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling injury cases. It doesn’t matter if you have a minor scrape or a major collision, we are here for you.
Car accidents in Colorado happen all too often. Maybe someone was following the car in front of them too closely. Perhaps someone dropped a lit cigarette in their lap and lost control of their vehicle…whatever the cause of the accident, they are regrettable situations for everyone involved.
Drivers are responsible for doing all they can do to prevent a car accident in Colorado.
In order to do this and arrive safely at your destination, there are five duties every driver on the road has. If any of these are broken and cause an accident, the offending driver can be found to have been negligent and thus, responsible for the accident.
These five “duties of reasonable care” include:
- 1. Duty to drive at a reasonable speed
Every driver on the road has a duty to drive at a reasonable, safe speed. What constitutes a safe speed is determined more by traffic conditions, weather conditions, road conditions and visibility.
Posted speed limits are maximum speeds one can lawfully drive provided all road and weather conditions are ideal.
- 2. Duty to be aware of your surroundings
Drivers also have a duty to remain alert and be aware of their environment around their vehicle. They must be on the lookout for other vehicles, pedestrians and road hazards.
For example, a reasonable and prudent person slows down around a construction or school zone. Those who don’t take steps to be aware of their surroundings put themselves and others at risk – and can be considered negligent as well.
- 3. Duty to maintain control of the car
Every driver on the road has the duty to maintain control of their vehicle (e.g. being able to stop quickly). If a car loses control for no apparent reason, negligence on the part of the driver can be proven in a Colorado car accident lawsuit.
- 4. Duty to maintain and use vehicle’s equipment
Drivers also have a duty to keep their vehicles maintained and in safe operating condition. All lights and brakes need to be working properly.
Worn brakes or non-functioning lights for example pose a danger to other drivers on the road that can result in a terrible accident.
- 5. Duties imposed by laws in Colorado
Drivers in Colorado and around the country are subject to laws that codify other duties a driver on the road has to abide by. If these laws are violated, a negligence/car accident claim can be made against the offending party. Examples of these include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Right of way laws for pedestrians
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
These are just a few examples of driving laws that represent a duty on the part of drivers to follow.
If you think another driver who hit you and caused injuries and damage to your vehicle broke any of these duties of reasonable care, you have grounds to sue them for compensation. Colorado car crash lawyers at Babcock Tucker can help you determine if these duties were broken and help you explore your legal options.
Continue reading these related articles for more information…
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- 5 Infractions That Can Reduce the Amount You’re Awarded in an Auto Accident Lawsuit
- Car Accidents and Cell Phones – A Dangerous Mix
- Defensive Driving – How You Can Prevent Auto Collisions and Save Money Too
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Discuss the details of your claim with a Colorado auto accident attorney at Babcock Tucker today. No matter where you are in the state of Colorado, if your case falls within our practice area and we feel our representation can benefit you, an attorney will conduct an in-depth consultation at no charge. We are here to help you secure a successful outcome.
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