When it comes to car accidents, it may not always be clear who is at fault. In many cases, both drivers may share some degree of responsibility for the accident. So, what does this mean for those seeking compensation following a car accident? Can you still make a claim for compensation if you were partly to blame for the accident?

Understanding Contributory Negligence

The short answer is yes, you can claim car accident compensation even if you were partly to blame for the accident. However, the amount of compensation you receive may be reduced to reflect how much you may have been responsible for the accident. This is known as "contributory negligence". Essentially, contributory negligence means that if you are found to be partly responsible for the accident, your compensation amount will be reduced by an amount that reflects this. For example, if you were found to be 50% responsible for the accident, your compensation amount would be reduced by 50%.

How Negligence Is Determined

In order to determine the level of contributory negligence, an investigation will need to be carried out to establish what factors led to the accident. This may include things like speeding, distracted driving, or not following traffic rules. If it is found that you were partly responsible for the accident, your compensation amount will be reduced accordingly. However, if it is found that the other driver was mostly to blame in this situation, you may still be entitled to a significant amount of compensation.

Gathering Information

The more information you have, the better, as this may help you to prove your claim or even affect the amount of compensation. So, gather the names of witnesses and take as much photographic evidence of the scene as you can.

What to Do Next

In summary, if you were partly to blame for a car accident, you may still be able to claim compensation. However, the amount you receive may be reduced to reflect your level of responsibility for the crash. It's important to seek legal advice if you are unsure about your rights and to understand how the legal process works in your jurisdiction. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you focus on your recovery and getting back to full health following the accident. But when you are ready to seek some compensation, always work with an experienced personal injury solicitor. They'll explain the intricacies of the situation and help you to achieve your goal.

Contact a personal injury lawyer to learn more.