When another driver pulls into your path, that negligent act usually makes them responsible for the crash. When determining who pays for the accident, decision-makers must look at the bigger picture. Most states’ negligence laws recognize that more than one driver often shares responsibility for an accident. Insurance companies, judges, juries, attorneys, and others consider this when deciding who is at fault. They determine whether any other contributing factors became a proximate cause of an accident. The New York Bar Association describes this legal concept simply as “your injury would not have occurred ‘but for’ the actions of another.” Essentially, when one driver pulls into another’s path, this act is often only one of the accident’s proximate causes. Additional causes include: Speeding: A speeding driver usually travels too fast to stop if they see another driver pulling into their path. Driving distracted: If a driver isn’t paying attention, they can’t avoid a crash. A distracted driver won’t always notice a car when it pulls out. Driving while drug-impaired: In the article “Some Medicines and Driving Don’t Mix,“ the FDA explains how even over-the-counter drugs cause movement, focus, drowsiness issues, and other problems that impact driving. Drowsy driving: When a person hasn’t had adequate rest or is taking certain medications, they can’t always focus on traffic. Failure to brake: Sometimes, a driver doesn’t brake because he assumes that the other driver will stop.