What is Negligence in a Car Accident?
McPhillips Fitzgerald Cullum LLP • June 30, 2021

June 30, 2021

What is Negligence in a Car Accident?

As the victim of a car accident , you probably feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You may also feel angry and frustrated that you suffered severe injuries, especially if the crash wasn’t your fault. Although insurers may have extended you an initial settlement offer, you may be wondering if you are owed more given the seriousness of your injuries. Know that you do not have to face the situation alone. Our experienced attorneys provide calm, level-headed guidance when you need it most. 

The major focus of injury cases – including motor vehicle accident claims – is showing how the other person’s negligence led to your injuries, and that those injuries have resulted in medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. 

Negligence is careless conduct. As licensed motorists, we are bound by certain laws that presume we will take reasonable care to keep other motorists and pedestrians safe. A motorist may be negligent in this duty of care as a result of:

  • Speeding
  • Drunk driving
  • Distracted, careless, or inattentive driving
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Failing to signal
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Improper lane change
  • Driving the wrong way

If the motorist wasn’t being careful, and causes an accident and injuries as a result, then you may be able to recover maximum compensation for all of the ways your life has been affected. Our experienced accident lawyers know how to investigate what happened so that we can build the strongest case. We work closely with you so that we can learn how the injury has impacted you, which allows us to clearly and competently build your case.

Find Out If You Have a Motor Vehicle Accident Case

Contact our experienced accident attorneys to find out if you have a claim. We are skilled crash attorneys and put all our resources to work to determine if someone else’s negligence contributed to the accident that injured you. For a case review, please call McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum, in Florida at 305-751-8556, or in New York at 518-792-1174.

Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than 
lawyer discussion with client gavel pen and law scale on the table
By shreya kapoor February 15, 2026
When an accident causes serious harm, many people expect injury claims to resolve quickly. Delays can be frustrating, especially as medical expenses and lost income continue to grow. In reality, the timeline for resolving injury claims varies widely depending on several important factors, and a longer process does not necessarily mean something has gone wrong. Established in 1911, […] The post Why Some Injury Claims Take Longer Than Others to Resolve appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
A person wearing a neck brace and arm sling sits at a desk with paperwork and a pen.
By content.team January 15, 2026
A letter denying an injury claim can be frightening, especially as medical bills mount and missed paychecks add up. For people in Glens Falls and Chestertown, New York, and Miami Shores, Florida, a denied insurance claim after a product-related accident often raises urgent questions about what to do next.  McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP has represented clients in the […] The post What Happens When An Insurance Company Denies Your Injury Claim appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
A person holding their head in pain after stepping out of a blue car with a deployed airbag and smoke in the background.
By content.team December 15, 2025
After a motor vehicle accident, many people assume that only the drivers involved can be held responsible. In reality, a careless company, property owner, or government entity may also contribute to the crash. McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP, established in 1911, is the longest-serving law firm in the Greater Glens Falls region and holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest AV rating for […] The post Third-Party Liability: When Someone Other Than The Driver Is To Blame appeared first on McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP.
Show More →