Consider the following story. A driver stopped at the local bar to drink with his coworkers. As he was driving home, the slight buzz from the alcohol gave him a carefree spirit, and he sang loudly with the radio and missed the upcoming intersection. The light, which was yellow as he was approaching, turned red right before he went through. Another driver, who had also run the light, crashed into the side of the first driver\u2019s car.<\/a> Airbags deployed, the car was totaled, and the first driver is now seeking a personal injury claim. However, his claim is more complicated since he had a blood alcohol level of 0.10%, which is above the legal limit. Therefore, he is also considered partially liable for the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The State of Texas handles the liability under its modified comparative negligence laws for accidents like this. Many individuals are unaware of Texas\u2019s comparative negligence laws and how they can affect their claims. In this article, the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Branch & Dhillon, P.C.<\/a> will review Texas\u2019s comparative negligence laws and explain what they could mean for their case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Comparative negligence, also known as comparative fault, is a legal principle that describes \u201cproportionate responsibility\u201d for an accident. The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 33.001<\/a> describes comparative negligence as the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, in our story from earlier, driver A was involved in an accident at an intersection but was found, due to driving under the influence, to be 30% at fault. This means that their compensation would be reduced by 30% of their fault. If they were going to receive $100,000 but their fault was 30% then the total award would be reduced by 30% or $30,000. This would bring their award to $70,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No. Under comparative laws, the second driver could not claim compensation because they are liable for more than 50% of the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This question\u2019s answer is a bit complicated. Technically, the principle of comparative negligence only applies to personal injury lawsuits. The judge and juries that decide these cases define who was at fault for what percentage of the accident. It is not legally binding for insurance companies when they evaluate a bodily injury claim and the possible settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, many insurance companies try to use a more informal version of the comparative negligence principle when they assign fault between drivers. Insurance companies are well aware that these cases could end up in court, and they do their best to ensure their bases are covered. This is why many of them, while not legally bound to do so, still follow the comparative fault doctrine when deciding how much of a settlement they will give to the individual who filed the claim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the insurance company finds that the insured party is responsible for less than 50% of the accident, they may refuse to pay the injured party any damages. They may also conclude that their client is only partially at fault and try to offer a reduced settlement based on their findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s easy to see why insurance companies lean toward the comparative negligence doctrine when deciding settlements. It is in the insurance company\u2019s interest to pay out as little as possible because they are a business trying to protect their bottom line. They may try to shift the blame from their client to the injured party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DO NOT TALK WITH THE OTHER PARTY\u2019S INSURANCE COMPANY<\/strong> without your car accident attorney present. Even though they may sound nice and caring over the phone, they are trying to get you to either admit partial fault or admit that your injuries are not that bad. Having a personal injury attorney present for these calls ensures that they will not bully you into accepting responsibility<\/a> that isn\u2019t yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To prove negligence in a personal injury lawsuit<\/a>, there must be clear evidence that shows the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is so easy to get overwhelmed after an accident. Your entire life has changed in a matter of moments, and now you are left to pick up the pieces while trying to recover from your injuries. It can all be too much with insurance companies hounding you and the stress of mounting medical bills. However, the personal injury attorneys at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. are dedicated to fighting for your right to fair compensation<\/a>. We help you pick up the pieces by handling the insurance companies and communicating with the liable party. Whether we can settle your case outside of court or need to take the battle to the courtroom, you can trust that our attorneys will be with you every step of the way. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Branch & Dhillon, P.C.<\/a> to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Modified Comparative Negligence in Texas?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Could the Second Driver Sue for Compensation as Well?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does Comparative Negligence Count for Insurance Claims As Well?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Word of Caution About Insurance Companies<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Stand Up for Your Right to Fair Compensation With Branch & Dhillon, P.C. in Arlington, TX<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Additional Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n