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LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
intervening force
Read a random definition: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
A quick definition of intervening force:
An intervening force is something that happens in between an initial event and the end result, which changes what would have happened naturally. It can be a factor that contributes to the result, but not the main cause. If the intervening force is strong enough, it can relieve the person who caused the initial event of any responsibility. However, if the intervening force is dependent on the initial event, it is not considered a superseding cause. An independent intervening force operates on a condition produced by the initial event but did not result from it.A more thorough explanation:
Definition: An event that comes between the initial event in a sequence and the end result, thereby altering the natural course of events that might have connected a wrongful act to an injury.
Example: A person is driving recklessly and hits another car, causing injuries. However, before the ambulance arrives, a tornado hits the area and causes further damage and injuries. The tornado is considered an intervening force because it came between the initial event (the car accident) and the end result (injuries).
This definition explains that an intervening force is an event that interrupts the natural course of events that would have led to an injury or harm. In the example given, the car accident was the initial event that caused injuries, but the tornado was an intervening force that caused further harm. This concept is important in determining liability in legal cases, as the intervening force may relieve the wrongdoer of any liability if it is strong enough to be considered a superseding cause.