If I run a red light and cause a collision with your car, causing you bodily harm and sending you to the hospital, my insurance company doesn't have to pay you one cent! Contributory Negligence means you caused the wreck by pulling out into an intersection that wasn't clear even tho you had the green light. I've been the victim of this very situation and my losses are tremendous. It's an archaic law from the horse and buggy days but it's still a law in North Carolina in the 21st century. One more example of politics and corruption.