A 9218: Limits damages that can be recovered by plaintiffs who were uninsured motorists, intoxicated drivers, or convicted of a felony during which the accident occurred in tort claims.
The bill aims to limit damages that can be recovered in tort claims by uninsured motorists, intoxicated drivers, and those convicted of a felony during the accident. In these cases, the plaintiff can only receive compensation for damages such as property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages, not exceeding the actual costs incurred. This limitation does not apply to actions for injury caused by police misconduct. The bill also updates the civil practice law and rules to reflect the changes in vehicle and traffic law. The updated rules state that damages can be diminished in proportion to the culpable conduct of the claimant or decedent, but this does not bar recovery.
- What is the current status of A 9218?
- As of January 14, 2026, A 9218 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "referred to transportation".
- Did A 9218 pass?
- Not yet. A 9218 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote A 9218, and where is it now?
- A 9218 was authored by Asm. Brian Cunningham. Its committee of record is Assembly Transportation.
| Jan. 07, 2026 | referred to transportation |
| Nov. 03, 2025 | referred to transportation |
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 9218 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY November 3, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. CUNNINGHAM -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the civil practice law and rules, in relation to limiting damages that can be recovered in a tort claim by uninsured motorists, intoxicated drivers, and those convicted of a felony during which the accident occurred The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new 2 section 389 to read as follows: 3 § 389. Limited recovery. 1. In an action for recovery following an 4 accident, any plaintiff who was operating a vehicle which was not 5 insured pursuant to the provisions of this chapter at the time of the 6 accident shall not be granted any award or relief in excess of any 7 compensatory damages derived from property damage, medical expenses, and 8 lost wages as a direct result of such accident. 9 2. In an action for recovery following an accident, any plaintiff who 10 was operating a vehicle while intoxicated at the time of the accident 11 and convicted of such shall not be granted any award or relief in excess 12 of any compensatory damages derived from property damage, medical 13 expenses, and lost wages as a direct result of such accident. 14 3. In an action for recovery following an accident, any plaintiff who 15 was operating a vehicle in the commission of a felony, or immediate 16 flight therefrom, at the time of such accident and has been convicted of 17 such felony shall not be granted any award or relief in excess of any 18 compensatory damages derived from property damage, medical expenses, and 19 lost wages as a direct result of such accident. The provisions of this 20 subdivision shall not apply in an action for injury caused by police 21 misconduct. 22 § 2. Section 1411 of the civil practice law and rules, as added by 23 chapter 69 of the laws of 1975, is amended to read as follows: EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD13606-01-5A. 9218 2 1 § 1411. Damages recoverable when contributory negligence or assumption 2 of risk is established. [In] Except as provided in section three hundred 3 eighty-nine of the vehicle and traffic law, in any action to recover 4 damages for personal injury, injury to property, or wrongful death, the 5 culpable conduct attributable to the claimant or to the decedent, 6 including contributory negligence or assumption of risk, shall not bar 7 recovery, but the amount of damages otherwise recoverable shall be 8 diminished in the proportion which the culpable conduct attributable to 9 the claimant or decedent bears to the culpable conduct which caused the 10 damages. 11 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.