What is a negligent tort?

A negligent tort is primarily defined by the failure to exercise reasonable care, which is exactly what option B describes. In the context of tort law, negligence occurs when an individual or entity fails to act with the level of care that a prudent person would in similar circumstances, leading to unintended harm or injury to another party. This concept revolves around the inability to foresee and avoid harm that a reasonable person would typically recognize.

For instance, in a car accident case, if a driver fails to stop at a red light due to distraction, that driver may be deemed negligent for not exercising the care expected of a safe driver. The key factor in a negligent tort is the unintentional nature of the act—there is no intention to cause harm, but the lack of reasonable care results in damage or injury.

Understanding negligent torts is essential in various legal scenarios, as they establish the foundation for liability claims based on carelessness or oversight, as opposed to intentional malice or strict liability situations where fault does not need to be proven.