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Writer's pictureKenneth Powell

Does Negligent Driving Affect Insurance?

Driving is one of the safest forms of transportation—yet countless people cross the road without looking for oncoming traffic or run red lights. This lack of caution can lead to accidents, which can cause severe injuries and even fatalities. So, does negligent driving affect insurance?


In most states across the United States, driving is a right that most drivers take for granted. In fact, many of us don't even think about whether or not we've been driving responsibly until something happens that makes us realize we've been speeding or driving recklessly. There is nothing more dangerous than getting into an accident, but drivers are taking chances that put their own lives at risk. It is estimated that approximately 600,000 people are injured in car crashes each year, and many of these injuries are the result of driver negligence.


What is negligent driving?

What is negligent driving?


When someone is convicted of driving negligently, the law says the consequences of their actions are not limited to fines and probation. Instead, negligent drivers can face jail time or loss of their license if their conduct exposes someone else to risk. Negligent driving is a term used to describe driving behavior that is not in accordance with the minimum standards for driving. For example, driving too fast for the conditions, switching lanes without signaling, driving while talking or texting on a cell phone, driving without a seat belt, driving while intoxicated, driving without headlights, and driving too close to a railroad crossing.


At the risk of being over-simplistic, when a driver's actions have a direct or indirect link to an accident, they are, in fact, negligent. For example, a driver getting in a wreck because they swerved to avoid a bird, a pedestrian in a crosswalk, or a driver running a red light is being negligent. In these cases, the driver's actions have a direct or indirect link to an accident and therefore are, in fact, negligent.


Does negligent driving affect insurance?

Does negligent driving affect insurance?


The issue of insurance for someone who is negligent while driving is something that has been debated in the media for years. And it is because of this that there is no clear-cut answer to the question. The short answer is that insurance for this type of negligent driving is not affordable for many people. It isn't a secret that driving while intoxicated is a bad idea, but driving while intoxicated and driving negligently are two very different things. Drivers who drive negligently are often hazy, distracted, or simply pay less attention to the road than they should.


Since insurance companies are increasingly trying to seek out drivers that caused accidents in the past, it is important to know when you are at risk of being found negligent in the future. You may think that having a negligent driving conviction will affect your insurance rates, but it hasn't always been the case. In fact, if you get a negligent driving or reckless driving conviction in your early 20s, you're actually more likely to see your rates decrease. However, if you get a negligent driving conviction in your late 30s and early 40s, it is more likely that your premiums could increase.


In the United States, there are different kinds of insurance that can help you pay for the damage your car may cause to another person's vehicle. If you are found to be the "responsible" driver, you may be granted a lesser amount of money than if you were found to be "not responsible." If you cause an accident without having insurance coverage, you may be asked to pay for the other person's damages.


If you are involved in a car accident where you were at fault, you may have to cover your losses by making a claim. This is likely because you could be found at fault for the accident if the other driver was not at fault. However, getting involved in an accident could have negative consequences, including being sued for damages by the other driver. You could be held liable for losses caused by an accident, including lost wages if you were prevented from working, even if the other driver was negligent.


While the police department has the authority to suspend or revoke your driver's license, the insurance company may also require that you pay for their own negligence or bad driving. If the driver you hit was at fault, the insurance company might ask for compensation. If you're not sure what you did wrong, it's important to seek legal advice from a motorbike accident lawyer in St Louis MO on this matter.

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