sharminlaw

Getting Paid in a Palm Beach County Car Accident Caused by Two People

In Florida, there is a legal doctrine known as joint and several liability which allows a plaintiff to bring an action against any wrongful party when 2 or more parties are to blame and the wrongful parties have to figure out whos is responsible for what percentage.  This applies in cases where the total damages exceeds $25,000.  Florida law has set a cap on damages and fault thresholds depending on how the jury assignes fault in an Palm Beach County car accident. 

If a plaintiff is found to be at fault, any defendant found to be 10% or less at fault will not be subject to joint and several liability.  If the plaintiff is not at fault, then defendant not subject to joint and several liability.

If the plaintiff is at fault, and the defendant is more than 10% but less than 25%, then joint and several liability does not apply to economic damages exceeding $200,000.  If the plaintiff is not at fault then the cap is $500,000.

If the plaintiff is at fault and the defendant is at least 25% at fault but less than 50%, joint and several liability does not apply to any portion of economic damages in excess of $500,000.  If the plaintiff is not at fault, then the cap is 1 million.

If the plaintiff is at fault and the defendant is more than 50% at fault, joint and several liability does not apply to any portion in excess of 1 million and if the plaintiff is not at fault, the cap is 2 million.

All if this can be difficult to sort out.  Consult a Palm Beach County accident attorney is you have been injured in a car accident caused by 2 or more people.