Bill > HB466

This bill modifies the rules for civil lawsuits stemming from motor vehicle accidents when the injured party is a "vulnerable individual," meaning someone defined as such in the Transportation Article. Under this bill, a vulnerable individual's ability to recover damages will not be completely blocked solely because they were also negligent, unless their negligence was the primary cause of their injury and greater than the combined negligence of all defendants who contributed to the accident. If damages are awarded, they will be reduced proportionally to the amount of negligence attributed to the vulnerable individual. This change is intended to apply only to accidents that occur after the bill becomes law, which is set for October 1, 2026, and does not alter existing legal principles like joint and several liability or the doctrine of last clear chance.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0466?ys=2026RS