Most people are aware of automobile accidents resulting in lawsuits because one driver is to blame for the other driver’s injuries. But what happens if you are to blame, at least in part, for your own injuries? You still may be able to recover money for your injuries and property damages. Each state has different rules so it is important to hire an injury attorney that is familiar with whatever state you were injured in. In Missouri, it is certainly possible for you to file a lawsuit and recover even if you are partly to blame for your own injuries.
In Missouri, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, let’s assume that both you and the other driver failed to yield but the jury only finds you 20% at fault for your injuries. The jury also finds that the verdict should be $100,000. In that scenario, your verdict of $100,000 would be reduced by 20% so you would receive $80,000.
Rules like these are critical in evaluating a potential Missouri automobile accident lawsuit. It is dangerous to just assume things – many people assume that if they were partly at fault, they could never successfully file a lawsuit. The above example shows that this just isn’t true. If you have been injured in an automobile accident, regardless of who you think is at fault for your injuries, it is important that you hire a St. Louis, Missouri automobile accident attorney.