Accident Terms and Definitions

Aggressive Drivers (road rage)
Can be describes as: aggressive tailgating,Lights flashed at them because the other motorist was annoyed, aggressive or rude gestures,deliberate obstruction -- preventing them from moving their vehicle,verbal abuse,physical assault and other actions.

Comparative negligence
Negligence of a plaintiff in a civil suit which decreases his recovery by his percentage of negligence compared to a defendant's negligence.

Arbitration
the hearing and settlement of a dispute between opposing parties by a third party whose decision the parties have agreed to accept.

Tort
An injury or wrong committed, with or without force, to the person or property of another, which gives rise to a claim for damages.

Actual Cash Value (ACV)
The value of your property, based on the current cost to replace it minus depreciation.

Failure to yield the right of way
Can be when you proceed forward while disregarding right of way signs or signals for other cars. You may not be the car that is sopossed to go forward.

Disregarding traffic controls
Can be going through a red light or stopping at a green light, diregarding special signals in traffic.

Blind Spots
The back corner of the car never moves. It always stays in the same exact place. Mirrors are unable to show this spot. This back area is known as blind spot

Triangulation
Technique for scene documentation where items of evidence are located by measuring the distance between two (2) reference points.

Injury Rights
Regardless of who is at fault for an automobile accident, your insurance company is responsible for paying your initial medical expenses.