Rhode Island Insurance Adjuster Exam

Which of the following is the best example of negligence?

1. Texting while driving

2. Driving without a seatbelt

3. Speeding intentionally

4. Careless driving causing a collision

The correct answer is: Careless driving causing a collision

Negligence is defined broadly as a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, leading to harm or injury to another person. The best example of negligence in this context is careless driving causing a collision. This situation exemplifies negligence because it encompasses a driver’s failure to operate their vehicle safely, which directly results in an accident that harms another party. The concept of negligence hinges on the idea of duty of care, where the driver has a legal obligation to drive responsibly and avoid endangering others. The negligent act here is the careless driving that leads to a collision, clearly demonstrating a breach of that duty of care and resulting in tangible consequences. In comparison, while texting while driving can also be considered negligent, it is a specific action rather than a broader pattern of careless driving that culminates in a collision. Driving without a seatbelt may pose risks but does not necessarily involve harm to others. Speeding intentionally is more aligned with reckless or willful behavior, which varies from the legal standard of negligence that requires consideration of unintentional harm caused through lapses in care. Thus, the example of careless driving causing a collision most accurately illustrates the principles of negligence.