There are instances when you might be partially at fault in an accident. You may have been texting while driving or failed to see a stop sign and collided with another vehicle. The burden of proving why you were not responsible would fall on the victim’s shoulders, and these cases can often be difficult to sort out. If you believe that you were partly at fault in a crash, one of the first things to do is to have your attorney take a look at the facts. Luckily, there are certain factors that will help him determine your level of responsibility in an accident.
Accidents happen every day, and sometimes people can be partially at fault for an accident. Although this sounds strange, it is not uncommon. You might have failed to stop at a stop sign and proceeded into traffic, or you may have been caught texting and driving. Some people believe that being partly at fault for an accident should cut the amount of financial compensation that you are owed in half. While this is not true, it does not mean that your claim has no merit. You can still seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and any other damages that may be related to the incident.
Avoid Admitting Fault or Taking Responsibility:
Keep in mind that any time you speak with an insurance company or the police officer who is investigating the accident, you are admitting a certain amount of fault and taking responsibility. Anything that you say can, and most likely will, be used against your case. The less you say when you are involved in a car accident, the better off you will be.
Instead of taking the blame for the accident yourself, talk to your attorney to learn more about your level of responsibility. It is important that you do not hide information from your attorney that you are required by law to disclose.
In certain states, you may be required by law to name all of the other drivers who were involved in the accident. Therefore, it is crucial that you provide as much relevant information as possible about each party involved in the accident.
Your Right to Compensation After a Car Accident:
Your right to collect compensation for your losses after an accident depends on your level of involvement in the incident. If you were the one who caused the accident and you are at fault, then you stand a chance of receiving less money in a settlement. However, if the other driver was responsible for the crash or if both drivers were partially at fault, then you may still be able to receive fair compensation.
Your level of involvement in an accident can also be affected by your age. In some states, an eighteen-year-old is not held responsible for the actions of a licensed driver who is twenty-one years old.
This means that if another driver strikes you while you are driving at night, they may not be held liable for the collision. Even if you are a licensed driver, however, this does not necessarily mean that you will receive no compensation for injuries after hitting someone else.
When Multiple People Are at Fault for an Accident:
Although it may sound odd, in many cases, a driver who is partially at fault and injured in a crash will be compensated for the injury or death of another party. This can be due to the fact that each individual may be partly responsible separately.
However, in other cases, this rule does not apply. If two people are both partially responsible and one is killed, no compensation will be granted to the survivors of the accident. A state may also provide some form of compensation if multiple parties were harmed by the same accident. This can be a very confusing area of law and can be explained to you by a personal injury attorney.
As you can see, being partially at fault in an accident does not mean that you cannot receive compensation for your losses. If the accident was caused by someone else, or if multiple parties were involved, then it is possible that your damages could be reduced. However, there are certain situations where this is not the case.
Conclusion:
The worst thing you can do to yourself after an accident is to attempt to move on with the situation. This may make you feel much more comfortable, but it may also lead to a serious lack of information. It is important that you seek out legal counsel and let him work his magic.
While it may be difficult at first, it is much better than being in the dark about your injuries and your rights as a victim. Ask your attorney any specific questions that you have, and do not be afraid to ask if you do not fully understand the process.
