Res ipsa loquitor (re ipsa)

doctrine/law which says: “The thing speaks for itself.” It allows the finding of negligence (lack of due care) in circumstances where no evidence, even circumstantial evidence, can be obtained. The elements of re ipsa are: the nature of the accident, the defendant’s control over the instrumentality that caused the harm, and the fact that the accident would not have occurred but for the defendant’s lack of due care/negligence.