Multiple Defendants And Split Liability

Car crashes, slip-and-falls, and other serious accidents don’t always involve a single negligent party. In many Florida cases, more than one person, company, or entity may have contributed to the harm. When multiple defendants are involved but only one person is injured, how liability is divided can become complicated. A Florida personal injury lawyer can guide an injured person through the recovery process, fighting for the compensation they need.

What if the Injured Person Shares Some Fault?

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this rule, each party is responsible for damages based on their percentage of fault. If two or more defendants contributed to your injury, the court or insurance companies may assign each a share of liability.

For example, if you suffered $200,000 in damages after a Miami crash caused by a distracted driver and a defective roadway, the driver might be assigned 60% of the fault and the government agency responsible for road maintenance 40%. You could then seek recovery from both parties, with each paying their proportional share.

In some cases, the injured party is also found to have contributed to the accident. Under Florida law, if you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you are less than 50% at fault, your compensation will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

So, if you were awarded $200,000 but found 20% responsible, your final recovery would be reduced to $160,000. This makes proving fault, and minimizing your share of responsibility, critical in multi-defendant cases.

Although multiple defendants may share liability, the injured person does not collect more than the total value of their damages. You can pursue compensation from each responsible party, but the funds ultimately go toward covering your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

This process often involves:

• Insurance companies for each negligent party
• Corporate or business defendants if unsafe premises or defective products were involved
• Government entities if dangerous road conditions contributed to the crash

An experienced legal professional can identify all potential sources of compensation and make sure no responsible party escapes accountability.

How Do These Cases Become Complex?

When multiple defendants are involved, disputes are common. Each party, and their insurer, may argue that someone else should bear more of the blame. Without strong representation, an injured person may get caught in the middle of finger-pointing while struggling with mounting expenses.

Florida law allows liability to be split among multiple defendants, ensuring that no single party unfairly shoulders all the blame. But for the injured person, what matters most is recovering the compensation needed to heal and move forward. If you’ve been hurt in a case with multiple defendants, a Florida personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, hold all parties accountable, and fight for the recovery you deserve.

Has a multi-vehicle collision upended your life? Connect with the attorneys at Spencer Morgan Law to protect your right to full and fair compensation. Call 305-423-3800 to book a confidential consultation.