Understanding California's Comparative Negligence Law in Car Accidents

California’s comparative negligence law plays a crucial role in determining car accident settlements. This law is designed to fairly allocate fault among all parties involved in an accident, and it can significantly impact the compensation you receive.

What is Comparative Negligence?

Under California’s comparative negligence system, each party is assigned a percentage of fault based on their contribution to the accident. This percentage directly influences the amount of compensation a party can recover. Even if you are partially at fault, you can still recover damages—reduced by your degree of fault.

Examples of Shared Fault

Let’s explore some examples to understand how this works:

• Example 1: If Driver A is found 30% responsible for an accident and suffers $10,000 in damages, their recovery would be reduced by their percentage of fault. In this case, Driver A would receive $7,000.
• Example 2: If both Driver B and Driver C are equally at fault (50/50) and face $20,000 in combined damages, each would only recover half of their losses, adjusted for their degree of fault.

How This Affects Your Case

The comparative negligence law underscores the importance of gathering evidence and effectively presenting your case. Working with a knowledgeable California car accident attorney can be instrumental in ensuring your side of the story is accurately represented and your rights are protected.

If you're involved in a car accident and need professional guidance, our team is here to help. Schedule a consultation with the Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz today, and let us assist you in navigating your car accident case to achieve the best possible outcome.