Car Accident Lawsuits Modified comparative negligence Modified the rules of comparative negligence in car accident lawsuits permits partial recovery of damages, even if the other party is partially to blame. This concept was developed to ensure that the process is fair for both sides. If a person is partially responsible for an accident, the court may reduce the value of their financial compensation to reflect the contribution they made to the accident. In certain states, the concept of pure comparative negligence is also used. It is used to