Contributory Negligence - definition

This where a court decides that you have contributed in some way to the accident you have suffered at the hands of a third party. The more responsibility a court decides you have, the less compensation you will receive. For example, where a driver crashes a vehicle and a passenger was not wearing a seatbelt. The passenger will receive damages (compensation) for any injuries received, however the amount will reduced by their own negligence, in not wearing a seatbelt at the time.