What is the meaning of the legal term ``Res ipsa loquitur''?
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For legal maxims:
\begin{itemize}
\item Most legal maxims are derived from Latin,
\item They are frequently used in tort and contract law,
\item Understanding their meanings helps in concept-based questions.
\end{itemize}
Step 1: \textit{Res ipsa loquitur} is a Latin legal maxim used in the law of torts.
Step 2: It means ``the thing speaks for itself.''
Step 3: The doctrine applies when the nature of the accident itself implies negligence, even without direct evidence.
Step 4: Hence, the correct meaning is ``the thing speaks for itself.''