Accidents happen in seconds; sometimes, more than one person is to blame. If you think you may be partly at fault for a crash in San Francisco, don’t panic. California law may still allow you to recover damages, even if you made a mistake.
According to California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System, San Francisco had over 3,600 traffic injuries in one recent year. In many crashes, more than one driver, cyclist, or pedestrian shared some fault. A personal injury law firm can help you understand your rights and the compensation you may still receive, even if you share blame.
Let’s get going:
Understanding California’s Comparative Fault Law
California follows a rule called pure comparative negligence. This law says that if more than one person caused the accident, each pays for their share of the damage. That includes you—even if you’re partly to blame.
Here’s how it works: Suppose you were in a car crash and suffered $100,000 in damages. If you were 30% at fault and the other driver was 70% at fault, you can still recover 70% of your damages, or $70,000.
That’s a big deal. In many other states, you get nothing if you’re more than 50% at fault. But in California, even if you’re 99% at fault, you can still recover 1% of your damages.
How Fault Is Decided in an Accident
After a crash, the fault doesn’t get assigned randomly. Police officers usually file a report. This report might say who they believe caused the crash, but that’s not the final word.
Insurance companies conduct their own investigations. They examine pictures from the scene, interview witnesses, and review traffic camera footage. If lawyers are involved, they may bring in accident reconstruction experts.
This is why it’s essential not to admit fault at the scene—even if you think you did something wrong. Let the facts come out first.
How Shared Fault Affects Your Payment
Here’s a simple example. Imagine you were driving a little too fast when someone turned left in front of you. The other driver didn’t check for oncoming traffic. You hit their car.
An investigation might show that you were 40% at fault for speeding, and the other driver was 60% at fault for turning without checking.
If your total damages are $50,000, you could still recover $30,000 (60% of the total). That’s much better than walking away with nothing.
Why a Local San Francisco Lawyer Can Help
San Francisco streets are busy, narrow, and full of cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. Crashes often involve many parties and complex traffic laws. That’s where a local lawyer makes a difference.
A personal injury law firm that knows San Francisco can spot key details. They may know where red-light cameras are or how bike lane rules apply in your case. They can gather the proper evidence and push back if someone tries to blame you unfairly.
They also know how local insurance companies work. Some insurers may try to say you were mostly at fault, even when that’s not true. A lawyer can protect you from that.
What to Do If You Think You’re Partly at Fault
If you’ve been in an accident and think you may be partly responsible, there are some smart steps you should take:
- Don’t admit blame. Even saying “I’m sorry” can be used against you later.
- Take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and any injuries.
- Talk to witnesses and get their contact information.
- See a doctor. Some injuries don’t show up right away.
- Keep records of all expenses, even small ones.
- Speak with a lawyer before you talk to the other party’s insurance company.
- Doing these things can protect your right to fair compensation.
Insurance Companies and Partial Fault
Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible. One way they do that is by shifting more blame onto you. They may say you were driving too fast, not watching the road, or missed a stop sign—even if that wasn’t the case.
They do this to lower how much they owe you. But with strong evidence and a good legal team, you can fight back.
Remember: just because an insurance company says you were mostly at fault doesn’t mean it’s true.
Final Thoughts
Being partly at fault in an accident doesn’t mean you lose everything. You can still get money in San Francisco for your injuries and losses. Understand your rights, gather evidence, and protect your interests.
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