Accident Terms and Definitions

Advanced Frontal Airbags
Advanced frontal air bags are designed to meet the needs of the occupant in a variety of specific crash situations. Depending on design, advanced frontal air bag systems automatically determine if and with what level of power the driver frontal air bag and the passenger frontal air bag will inflate.

Choice no fault
In some state a hybrid no fault system known as " choice no fault " exists. In these states, you may choose to be insured under a strict no-fault plan, in which case you're unable to sue an at fault driver and also can't be sued if you're at fault.

Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL)
Calculated based on the following equation: YPLL = Fixed Age - Age at death. Usually the fixed age is 65 or 70, or the life expectancy of the group in question.

Impaired Driving
Can be alcohol or any oher substance that changes judgement while driving. Impaired driving will affect one in three Americans during their lifetimes (NHTSA 2001a).

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

Reaction Time
The motorist who is not alert cannot cope with a sudden emergency as quickly as is necessary. An overly relaxed driver requires more time to react to an emergency than does an alert one.

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."

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

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.