What Happens If Both the Driver and I Are Partially Responsible for an Accident?

If you’ve been involved in an accident and you are also partially responsible, what happens really varies on where the accident happened and in what state.

Here in Alabama, there’s a concept of law known as contributory negligence. What that says is that, if the plaintiff or the person who is bringing the claim is deemed to be at fault, even one percent, then under Alabama law they are allowed to recover nothing. There should be a verdict rendered for the defendant. It’s a very harsh concept of law.

However, there are a few exceptions to that rule, so it’s very important that you have your accident claim thoroughly investigated, talk to all of the witnesses, and look at all of the key aspects of the claim to see if one of those exceptions applies. You would be allowed to bring a claim if one of these exceptions exists. Always speaking to an experienced attorney about your claim could help you find hope when it seems hopeless.

That is what we at Martinson & Beason, P.C. are here to do. We realize that your livelihood now and in the future greatly depends on your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and your damages resulting from your accident. Therefore, it is our responsibility as your legal team to uncover any and all glimmers of hope. If you believe you were partially to blame for your accident in Alabama, you need a personal injury attorney more than the average accident survivor.

Never Assume Fault Without an Attorney’s Investigation

You may think you were partially at fault for your accident, but we strongly discourage you from assuming fault until a car accident attorney has thoroughly investigated the facts of your case. What may seem like a mistake on your part could have been an unsafe weather condition or an improperly maintained road. There are many factors that contribute to an auto accident, and you may be mistakenly blaming yourself for any one of those factors.

Read more about how we handle car accident cases here. For answers to some of the questions we get asked most frequently, read our car accident FAQs.

Of course, we cannot guarantee that your case will qualify as one of these exceptions, but we will not come to any conclusion until we have analyzed all the facts. What we can guarantee is that we will prioritize you and your well being from beginning to end. We will be by your side every step of the way, available to answer your questions whenever they arise, giving you the service you deserve. Let us work for you to uncover any opportunities for hope; call us today.