Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for my accident in Long Island?
Yes, New York follows a comparative negligence system, which means that even if you were partially at fault for an accident, you can still recover compensation for your injuries. However, the amount you receive will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were awarded $100,000 in damages but were found to be 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%, leaving you with $80,000. This system allows injured parties to receive financial support even if they contributed to the accident in some way.
New York specifically follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were more at fault than the other party. So, if you were 70% responsible, you could still recover 30% of your damages.
Because insurance companies often try to assign more fault to injured victims to reduce payouts, having an experienced Long Island personal injury attorney is essential. Your lawyer can help gather evidence, challenge unfair fault assessments, and ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.