Major accidents in New Jersey are often not solely the fault of one individual. A collision could involve multiple motorists. A slip and fall might involve the property owner and a maintenance firm. A truck crash could implicate the driver, their company, and a parts supplier. When multiple parties could be responsible for your damages, your claim becomes more complicated, yet it can also provide access to additional sources of financial recovery. This is precisely why retaining our experienced Springfield Injury Lawyers is crucial. Please continue reading to learn how fault is determined when several parties contribute to a New Jersey accident. 

Why Does It Matter If Multiple Parties Caused My NJ Accident?

New Jersey law acknowledges that multiple parties or entities can bear responsibility for one incident. For example, in a vehicle collision, liability may be divided among several drivers, the vehicle’s owner, oran employer. In a slip-and-fall case, this might include a property owner, a business tenant, and an outside contractor. If an accident involves a product, the manufacturer, distributor, and installer could all be implicated. Pinpointing every potentially liable party is vital because each one might have separate insurance coverage and resources, which directly impacts the maximum compensation you can realistically obtain for your economic and non-economic damages.

It is crucial to understand that your options are not restricted to selecting only on erepsonsible party when it comes to civil litigation. You have the right to file claims against any entities whose carelessness contributed to your harm, and then allow the factual evidence and the judicial process to determine the proportional division of liability. A qualified attorney understands the importance of investigating beyond the superficial details to identify all potential defendants.

How is Fault Determined When Several Parties Contribute to an Accident?

The Garden State adheres to the principle of modified comparative negligence. This means that if you are partially responsible for an injury, your compensation may be lowered, but a limit exists. If your degree of fault is 50% or less, you can still collect damages, which will be decreased according to your percentage of fault. However, if your fault is determined to be over 50%, you are prohibited from receiving any compensation from other at-fault parties.

New Jersey law dictates how multiple defendants share financial responsibility for injuries:

  • Economic Damages (e.g., medical bills, lost wages):
    • Defendants 60% or more at fault are jointly and severally liable; they may have to cover the full amount if other defendants can’t pay. 
    • Defendants under 60% at fault are only responsible for their proportionate share.
    • An attorney must prove a major defendant is 60%+ at fault to improve the chances of a full recovery of these costs. 
  • Non-Economic Damages (e.g., pain and suffering):
    • Defendants are only liable for their exact percentage of fault. 

These complex rules are often used by insurers to reduce payouts, making legal representation essential to maximize the practical award. 

If more than one person caused your New Jersey accident, your case becomes more complicated, but this complexity may also open up more avenues for you to receive full compensation. To safeguard your rights, it is in your best interest to connect with a seasoned attorney at Lee Law Firm, LLC as soon as possible. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.