Contributory Negligence: Can I still claim in if an accident was my fault?
3 Minute Read
In North East England, you might be able to make a personal injury claim even if you were partly to blame for an accident and any injuries that you suffered.
Determining liability for an accident that causes injury is often complex. Even the most seasoned personal injury solicitors can take time to investigate. Depending on the nature of the road traffic accident, work accident or accident in a public place, liability may not be as cut and dry as it initially appears.
Sometimes, although it may initially appear that the injured party is responsible for their own accident, the facts may ultimately reveal a different reality.
What is contributory negligence?
Contributory negligence occurs when an injured person is partly responsible for an accident. Even if you are partially liable for the circumstances leading to your injuries, you may still be entitled to compensation.
However, the amount of compensation awarded would be reduced if the claim is successful.
The compensation you are awarded will be reduced according to your level of liability. It is the solicitor’s job to determine your degree of responsibility and assign a percentage value to it. Your compensation will then be reduced by this percentage.
For instance, if it is established that you were 30% responsible and a third-party defendant was 70% responsible, your compensation would be reduced by 30% from what it would have been if the defendant were solely at fault.
Always seek the advice of a qualified personal injury solicitor
Contributory negligence can play a role in various personal injury claims. Our personal injury department often see it arise in:
It is common for individuals to believe they were wholly or partially responsible for an accident when the facts indicate otherwise. Unfortunately, this discourages them from seeking advice and as a consequence, they may be unknowingly forfeiting their right to access to justice.
Always seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury solicitor before admitting liability.
Askews Solicitors are personal injury claims experts
Our personal injury claims department is one of the busiest in North East England, having been trusted by thousands of clients seeking compensation.
Many of these individuals didn’t realise they had a viable claim as they blamed themselves for their accident. Fortunately, they benefited from a free initial consultation with our team, where we were able to provide contrary advice.
Speak with a Middlesbrough or Redcar-based personal injury solicitor
If you had an accident and have questions or concerns about liability, visit Personal Injury Claims to learn more about our ‘no win no fee’ services. Or, Contact Us to arrange a free consultation with a solicitor.
This content is for informational purposes and is not intended as advice of any kind.