What is the term for failing to exercise the degree of care expected of a reasonable person?

The term for failing to exercise the degree of care expected of a reasonable person is negligence. In legal contexts, negligence refers to a breach of duty of care that results in harm or damage to another party. This concept is foundational in personal injury law and tort law, where an individual may be held liable for the consequences of their failure to act with the care that a reasonably prudent person would have in similar circumstances.

Negligence typically involves four key elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. The concept centers around the idea that individuals have an obligation to act in a manner that does not create an unreasonable risk of harm to others. When this standard of care is not met, it can lead to liability if the failure directly causes harm.

In contrast, the other terms listed do not accurately capture the legal standard related to carelessness. For instance, innocence refers to the state of not having committed a crime or offense, while default signifies a failure to fulfill an obligation or agreement, and liability pertains to the legal responsibility for one's actions or failures. Thus, negligence is the precise term that encapsulates the failure to act with the expected care, making it the correct answer.