Bill > A09218

This bill limits the damages that can be recovered in tort (civil injury) claims by three specific groups of plaintiffs: uninsured motorists, intoxicated drivers, and individuals committing a felony at the time of an accident. Under the proposed law, these plaintiffs would only be eligible to receive compensatory damages directly related to property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages, effectively preventing them from obtaining additional damages such as pain and suffering or punitive damages. For uninsured motorists, this means they cannot recover more than actual economic losses from an accident. For drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated, the same restriction applies, limiting their potential recovery. Similarly, individuals operating a vehicle while committing a felony (or fleeing from one) would also be restricted to basic compensatory damages, with a specific exception carved out for cases involving police misconduct. The bill also modifies existing civil practice law to accommodate these new limitations, ensuring that these specific categories of plaintiffs cannot receive expanded damages beyond direct economic losses resulting from an accident.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A9218