What To Do If You Are Partially At Fault For A Car Accident In Bradenton

Being involved in a car accident in Bradenton is one of the most stressful experiences. Being partially at fault makes a challenging situation worse and could leave you paying property damages, medical bills, and other costs out-of-pocket.

Our Bradenton car accident lawyer provides trusted legal representation to clients in these cases and helps them get the compensation they are entitled to. Find out how state laws apply in crashes where you are partially to blame and how to protect your rights in a claim.

Florida’s Comparative Negligence Law: How It Impacts Your Rights In A Bradenton Car Accident Claim

Comparative negligence determines the division of liability in personal injury cases. Florida follows the “pure comparative negligence” rule. Under the Florida Statutes, you can still seek compensation for car accident injuries in Bradenton, even if you are partially to blame for a crash.

Insurance companies are likely to deny a settlement, but you may be able to get compensation through the Manatee County Court. However, the amount is reduced by your percentage of fault. The following explains how this impacts your rights in a claim:

• As an example, let’s say you are in a car accident in Bradenton, suffer $100,000 in damages, and are deemed 20 percent at fault;
• As a result, any compensation you are entitled to is reduced by 20 percent;
• This leaves you with 80 percent, or $80,000.

Comprehensive negligence only applies if you were somewhat to blame for a crash. You may get denied compensation if deemed more than 50 percent responsible.

Protecting Your Rights In A Bradenton Crash Where You Are Partially At Fault

According to statistics from Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, over 7,000 car accidents in Manatee County occur yearly. Even an otherwise minor crash can lead to significant costs. Being partially at fault could leave you paying hundreds of thousands in out-of-pocket expenses. To protect your rights, follow these steps:

• Notify law enforcement immediately after a crash, even if you are partially at fault. A police report can help clarify the facts and document the incident.
• Refrain from saying too much at the accident scene, speculating on the cause of the crash, or debating who is to blame.
• Gather as much evidence as you can. This includes taking photos or videos and getting contact information for witnesses.
• Even if you suffer only minor symptoms, always seek medical care. Follow the doctor’s instructions regarding testing, treatment, and activity restrictions.
• Notify your insurer promptly, but avoid providing a statement without getting legal help first.

Schedule A Consultation With Our Experienced Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer

Recovery from a Bradenton car accident is always stressful, particularly if you were partially at fault. To avoid paying out-of-pocket, contact Steven G. Lavely. Our experienced Bradenton car accident lawyer is board-certified in civil trial law and can take the legal actions needed to protect your rights. To get the total compensation you are entitled to, schedule a consultation today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html

flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2022.pdf