In California, multiple parties can be found to share the blame for a car accident. This is part of a doctrine called comparative negligence.
If you’re found to hold some of the responsibility for your car accident injuries, your compensation award will be reduced by the percentage of the blame you hold.
For instance, if you were speeding when a drunk driver ran a red light and slammed into you, you might be found to hold 20 percent of the responsibility. You would then receive only 80 percent of the compensation awarded to you.