Accident Terms and Definitions

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

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

Misdemeanor
Criminal offenses less than felonies; generally those punishable by fine or imprisonment of less than 90 days in a local facility.

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

Tire Problems
Under-inflation, the most frequent cause of tire failure, is considered the main culprit in the recent Firestone tire-failure fatalities. Uneven or worn-out tires are the next most serious problem and can also lead to tire failure.

Failure to signal
There are laws and driving rules that instruct proper turning signals, at time a hand or a light signal is required to be used. A right hand turn may not be permited, or a turn in an intersection may be done incorectly.

Common law
Law which derives its authority solely from usage and customs of immemorial antiquity or from the judgments and decrees of courts. also called "case law."

Brake Build-up (Brake Lag)
Occurs just after the brakes are applied and continues until they lock.

Affidavit
A written or printed declaration or statement under oath Affirm - The assertion of an appellate court that the judgment of the lower court is correct and should stand.

Excessive speed & Speeding
Speeding is defined as travelling faster than the posted speed limit, or travelling too fast for the road conditions even at speeds under the posted limit.