What happens if you were partly at fault for your accident—but still got hurt? In many states, that might mean you can’t recover anything. But in New York, the law works differently.

At Vlahadamis Law, we help clients navigate the legal concept of comparative negligence—a key factor in many personal injury cases across New York, including car crashes, slips and falls, dog bites, and more.

What Is Comparative Negligence?

Comparative negligence is a legal doctrine used to determine how fault is shared in a personal injury case. In New York, we follow a pure comparative negligence rule. This means:

Even if you’re partially—or even mostly—at fault, you can still recover compensation for your injuries.

Unsure how injury claims work in NY? Our step-by-step guide explains timelines, compensation types, and how to protect your rights.

How It Works

Let’s say:

You’re awarded $100,000 in damages.
But you’re found to be 30% at fault.

Your award would be reduced by 30%, meaning you’d still receive $70,000.

What Situations Involve Shared Fault?

Car accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Slip-and-falls
Dog bites

Why It Matters in New York

Some states bar recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault. New York does not. Even if you’re 90% responsible, you can still collect 10% of the damages.

How Is Fault Determined?

Insurance adjusters
Judges or juries
Evidence like witness statements, footage, and expert opinions

Why choose Vlahadamis Law?

Understanding New York’s comparative negligence laws requires more than just legal knowledge—it takes experience, strategy, and a commitment to fighting for every dollar you deserve. Our team knows how to build strong cases even when fault is shared, and we’ll work tirelessly to make sure your side of the story is heard.

We Know New York’s Laws Inside and Out

From Long Island to NYC, we understand how comparative fault can impact every case—and how to push back against unfair blame.

We Build Strong, Evidence-Backed Cases

Photos, reports, expert opinions—we gather the details that help reduce your share of fault and strengthen your compensation claim.

We Don’t Let Mistakes Define Your Outcome

Even if you were partly at fault, we fight to make sure that doesn’t stop you from getting the financial recovery you deserve.