Why Should the Reasonable Person Standard Matter to You?
Are you aware that the Alabama reasonable person standard might impact you? When you are involved in an accident, you may sustain physical or emotional injuries, and you may be out of work until you are able to fully recuperate. If you find yourself in this type of situation, you should typically be compensated by those responsible for your injuries.
You have two options to pursue compensation following an accident.
- File a claim with insurance companies.
- File a lawsuit. When you file a lawsuit, the party assigned fault for the accident and whether you acted as a “reasonable person” will determine whether you receive compensation for your injuries.
Defining the Reasonable Person Standard
When you have been injured in an accident and are filing suit with a claim based on negligence, the reasonable person standard applies. To be negligent is to act or fail to act in such a way that causes injury to another person. When negligence occurs, Alabama law seeks to determine whether the actors in a negligence claim were reasonable. Reasonability focuses on how a typical person in your exact circumstance would have acted. For instance, a reasonable person would not yell “fire” in a crowded theater if there was no fire, nor would a reasonable person run a red light.
Generally, when the reasonable person standard enters the equation, a jury determines whether you or another person acted reasonably. It is important to note that there are nuances regarding the reasonable person standard. For instance, reasonable adults, reasonable minors, and reasonable professionals (e.g., doctors) are held to different standards. These nuances in the law, combined with the specifics of any legal case, underline how invaluable it is to seek legal representation prior to pursuing a personal injury claim.
Need Legal Advice for a Personal Injury Claim?
The reasonable person standard and how it applies to your situation can be the determining factor in whether you are compensated for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, we recommend contacting an experienced MSN personal injury attorney to help you with your case.