Loss-sharing between Nonnegligent Parties

Shavell (1980) established that all existing tort regimes fail to incentivize optimal activity levels. The bearer of residual loss adopts a socially optimal activity level, however the non-bearer of residual loss will adopt an excessive level of activity. In this paper, we explore alternative liability rules, which distribute the cost of accidents between non-negligent parties, effectively rendering both parties (injurer and victim) partial residual bearers of loss. We introduce a bilateral accident model with care and activity levels, assuming risk neutrality. We determine conditions where loss-sharing for nonnegligent torts may be a desirable alternative for policymakers, and analyze the social cost of accidents under such shared-liability regimes. We also extend our analysis to account for role-uncertainty of the parties, as well as real-world implications for tort law.