Detailed Explanation
It is important to understand how fault affects your car accident settlement amount. While Missouri laws still allow you to collect compensation even if you are up to 99% at fault for the crash, your award will be diminished by however much percentage of blame you hold.
Because fault can affect compensation, a St. Louis car accident attorney can review the evidence before insurers assign blame.
It’s just what happens when both drivers share fault in Missouri, and in other states that use modified comparative fault rather than pure comparative fault, it gives you a greater chance to recover compensation. If you were going through a green light at an intersection but you were going a little over the speed limit when the other driver ran their red light, you may be partially blamed for speeding.
In theory, if you had been going the speed limit, you may have avoided the accident altogether. This might result in you being issued something like 20% of the blame, and as such, your damages would be reduced by that 20%. The Bruning Law Firm helps St. Louis car accident victims understand their rights under Missouri personal injury law and fights to ensure you aren’t frivolously blamed to prevent your compensation from being reduced.
Related Considerations
How does partial fault affect my insurance payout in Missouri?
Your settlement amount will be reduced by the percentage of fault determined after investigations. If you were 20% at fault and you were awarded compensation of $100,000, then that figure would be reduced by 20%, or $20,000, leaving you with $80,000. Learn more about how insurance decides who was at fault.
Can I still recover damages if I was 90% at fault in a Missouri car accident?
Yes, Missouri’s laws allow you to be up to 99% at fault, though this will significantly cut into your compensation recovery. A St. Louis car wreck lawyer can help minimize the percentage of fault assigned to you.
What if the insurance company claims I am at fault because of a traffic ticket?
Getting a traffic citation does provide evidence of fault, however, it doesn’t automatically determine your final percentage of blame. You can challenge a ticket, and other parties may still be partially at fault even though you violated a traffic law. Understanding who hit who in a car accident and whether you are at fault if someone pulls out in front of you is important for building your case.
Get Help: Contact The Bruning Law Firm
The Bruning Law Firm helps St. Louis car accident victims understand their legal rights and options in car accident cases in Missouri. Don’t take on more blame than you deserve. You can get our help with no fee unless we win, so call (314) 735-8100 today to schedule a free consultation with our St. Louis comparative fault car accident attorneys.