Car crashes are all inherently unique. Factors ranging from the skill of the drivers to the maintenance they perform on their vehicles can influence the likelihood of a crash and how severe a collision is when one occurs.
In some scenarios, the fault for a crash is quite obvious. One driver heads the wrong way down a one-way street or runs a red light. Other times, each of the parties involved in a crash may have played a minor role in the incident. Relatively small mistakes can contribute to the collision and may complicate the process of seeking compensation after the crash.
Many motorists dealing with damaged vehicles and serious injuries after collisions in Arizona are unsure of their rights. If they made some small mistake that contributed to the collision, they may worry that they cannot file a lawsuit or seek compensation from an insurance policy carried by the other driver. Can a small degree of personal fault prevent financial recovery after an Arizona crash?
Arizona law acknowledges complex collision scenarios
The statutes about personal liability and compensation after a crash in Arizona are relatively robust. The law outlines the obligations of drivers regarding how they operate their vehicles. It also explores scenarios where each of the parties involved in a crash may have partially contributed to the situation.
Under comparative negligence laws, someone partially to blame for a crash still has the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. In fact, they could be as much as 99% at fault for the crash and still hold the other driver accountable for the 1% of fault they had for the collision.
The courts hearing complex collision claims assign a percentage of fault to each party involved. If the plaintiff wins, the courts adjust the amount of compensation awarded to them based on their percentage of fault. It is possible for those coping with catastrophic injuries and major expenses caused by a collision to request compensation from the other party for their verifiable economic losses.
Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit is often possible even when a motorist played a minor role in causing a crash. Those who understand Arizona’s rules about crash compensation can work to minimize their financial losses in the wake of a collision.
