What general principle is illustrated by "res ipsa loquitur"?

The principle illustrated by "res ipsa loquitur" emphasizes that certain facts or circumstances can provide clear evidence of negligence without the need for eyewitness testimony or direct evidence. This legal doctrine relies on the notion that the occurrence of an accident or injury is typically indicative of a lack of care, suggesting that the facts speak for themselves. In situations where the cause of a harm is apparent and there is a strong presumption that it resulted from a party's negligence, the court can infer responsibility based on the inherent nature of the incident.

This principle is commonly applied in cases where it is difficult to pinpoint the exact actions that led to an injury, such as in surgical errors or incidents involving objects falling from a height. By illustrating that evidence can be self-evident, "res ipsa loquitur" allows the injured party to establish a presumption of negligence, thereby shifting the burden of proof to the defendant to prove that they were not at fault in the situation described.