Question

Annette drove through an intersection without looking and hit Vincent's car that he had driven into the intersection without obeying a stop sign. Annette sued Vincent. The jury found that Annette's fault contributed 20 percent to the collision and determined that her total loss was $100,000. Under comparative negligence, the jury would reduce Annette's recovery by _______.

a) $20,000
b) $100,000
c) $80,000
d) nothing

Answer 1

Annette's damage recovery would be reduced by 20 percent of her total loss, which amounts to $20,000. Thus, she would recover $80,000 after the reduction due to her percentage of fault in the accident.

Step-by-step explanation:

Under the principle of comparative negligence, when a plaintiff is found to be partially at fault for an accident, any damage recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. In Annette's case, if her total loss is determined to be $100,000 and she is found 20 percent at fault for the collision, the jury would reduce her recovery by 20 percent of $100,000.

Therefore, Annette's recovery would be reduced by:

• 20% of $100,000 = $20,000

So, Annette's final recovery amount would be:

• $100,000 (total damages) - $20,000 (20% fault) = $80,000