Getting the most out of a car accident case means proving that the other party’s negligent or reckless actions led to another person’s injuries or losses. With enough evidence, a victim can recover maximum compensation to pay for medical bills, vehicle repairs and other financial losses.
However, the victim may have been partially at fault for an accident. This could happen if the driver failed to use a turn signal or was using their phone behind the wheel.
What happens if the victim may have contributed to the auto accident? Will they still be able to recover compensation? In some cases, yes. It is wise to learn more about New Jersey’s negligence laws. Here is what you should know:
Understanding New Jersey’s negligence laws
New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence laws. Modified comparative negligence means that a victim could still recover damages for an auto accident even if they are 50% at fault for the collision.
The amount of compensation that could be recovered may be reduced by the victim’s percentage of fault. In other words, if a victim was 20% at fault for an accident and they were awarded $100,000 in damages, they may be able to recover $80,000 of the compensation.
If the percentage of fault is more than 50%, then the victim may not be entitled to damages. The liable party may use tactics to prove the victim was more than 50% at fault for an auto accident. This is why it is important for victims to have strong supporting evidence to reduce the amount of fault. Legal guidance can help victims of auto accidents build their case and recover maximum compensation for their losses.