New Mexico Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense is a crucial legal instruction that provides guidance to juries in New Mexico when dealing with cases involving comparative negligence. This instruction aims to ensure that the jury fully understands the concept of comparative negligence and its potential impact on the outcome of the case. Comparative negligence is a legal principle that allocates the responsibility for damages between the plaintiff and defendant based on their respective degrees of negligence or fault. It is used to determine the proportionate liability of each party involved in an accident or incident. The New Mexico Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense instructs the jury to carefully assess the actions of both the plaintiff and the defendant and assign a proper percentage of fault to each party involved. This instruction guides the jury to consider all relevant factors, including the actions, omissions, or contributory negligence of each party in relation to the incident. Furthermore, there are different types of New Mexico Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense that may be applicable in specific cases. These include: 1. Pure Comparative Negligence: Under this approach, the jury is required to apportion fault based on the percentage of negligence attributed to each party. Even if the plaintiff is found to be primarily at fault, they can still recover damages, albeit reduced by their assigned percentage of fault. 2. Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Rule): In this approach, the plaintiff can only recover damages if their assigned percentage of fault is equal to or less than 50%. If the plaintiff's assigned percentage of fault exceeds 50%, they are completely barred from recovering any damages. 3. Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Rule): Similar to the 50% rule, but with a slight variation. The plaintiff can only recover damages if their assigned percentage of fault is equal to or less than 51%. If their assigned percentage of fault exceeds 51%, they are completely barred from recovering any damages. It is vital for the jury to comprehend these different types of comparative negligence instructions and apply them appropriately, as they directly impact the compensation that the plaintiff could receive. The New Mexico Jury Instruction — 1.1 Comparative Negligence Defense ensures fairness and accuracy in assessing liability and damage awards, promoting justice and a better understanding of the legal system among jurors and litigants alike.