When another party causes your injuries, you can hold that party liable for damages. But if you contribute to your injuries through fault of your own, you can only hold the other party responsible for damages in proportion to their degree of fault. For example, if you are involved in an accident that resulted in $10,000 damages and you are found to be responsible for 25 percent of its cause, then the defendant can only be held liable for 75 percent of your damages, or $7,500.