An accident is not always the fault of one person. Often, more than one person contributes to an accident. Perhaps someone turned left in front of your vehicle, but you were accelerating to “beat” a yellow light. Or, perhaps someone hit you, but you weren’t wearing a seat-belt and your were more severly injured than you otherwise would have been. Or, even perhaps you were a passenger that knowingly got in a vehicle with a drunk driver and a crash occurred. In each of these scenarios, you would carry some of the blame for the accident and/or your injuries. However, it may be surprising to know that you could still be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
In a situation where partial fault (or in legalese – contributory negligence) occurs, settlements are often reduced proportionate to the percentage that you are considered at-fault. For example, if it was determined, either by negotiation or by a judge, that you were 50% at fault for an accident, but that your injuries warranted a $100,000.00 settlement, that 50% fault would likely reduce your settlement by that same 50%, resulting in a $50,000.00 settlement.
This is not always the case, but a lawyer could assist you in finding out if you might be able to make a claim for your damages, even if you are partially responsible for any damages.
If you find yourself injured and want to learn more about your rights, book a free consultation today to have a lawyer assess your case at no cost.


