How is the "reasonable person" standard defined in negligence cases?

The "reasonable person" standard is primarily defined as a measure against which an individual's conduct is evaluated in negligence cases. It refers to the level of care that a reasonable person would exercise in similar circumstances. This standard is based on the idea that individuals are expected to act as a reasonably prudent person would, considering the specific context and the surrounding circumstances at the time of the incident.

In negligence cases, the standard helps determine whether the defendant acted negligently by assessing their actions against what a reasonable person would have done under similar circumstances. It does not rely on the actions or behaviors of companies specifically, nor does it merely involve comparing the victim's actions to others. Additionally, the reasonable person standard is distinct from criminal negligence, as it pertains specifically to civil liability rather than criminal liability. Thus, focusing on how a reasonable person would behave in similar situations provides the foundation for establishing whether negligence occurred.