Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer
A significant car accident in Rhode Island can put a complete halt to your life. One second you are a happy soul minding your own business, and the next second you are seriously injured in an auto accident. Whether you have suffered minor or major injuries, your life may never be the same again.
Suddenly, you can no longer go to work, and performing day-to-day becomes a significant problem. Remember that even a low-impact auto crash can cause significant bodily injuries. When your car is suddenly hit, the impact generated can jolt your body in all directions, injuries bones, nerves, and tendons.
This is the primary reason why you need to seek immediate help from an experienced Rhode Island car accident lawyer. Don’t wait because you have limited time to file a claim and seek compensation for damages suffered.
From the moment the accident happens, your insurance company will be looking for reasons to either deny your claim or compensate you the minimum possible amount. Don’t let it happen to you.
Take action immediately and let an experienced Rhode Island car accident lawyer fight for your rights and help you recover the rightful compensation that you deserve.
Car Accidents in Rhode Island: The Statistics
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation reports that the state records more than 500 motor vehicle fatalities every year. In one month, more than 45 lives are lost as a result of car accidents. The number has been rising steadily since 2018 despite road safety measures being put in place to ensure safe driving.
Pedestrian accidents have also increased significantly over the same period, with an average of 100 pedestrians dying every year due to car accidents. With fewer drivers on the road due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, these numbers are disturbing.
State officials attribute the increase in car accidents and related fatalities to risky driving behavior such as driving while under the influence, speeding, and using smartphones while driving.
So, if you have been hurt in a Rhode Island car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Be sure to contact an experienced Rhode Island car accident lawyer who will investigate your claim, help prove your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and take action against the at-fault motorist.
I Have Been In a Car Accident in Rhode Island: What Should I Do?
If you have been involved in a car accident in Rhode Island, the first thing you need to do is move the cars out of traffic if it is safe to do so. Assess the damage to your vehicle and any visible physical injuries you or your passengers may have suffered as you wait for the police to arrive at the scene.
If anyone has suffered severe injuries and needs emergency medical help, call 911. Take a clear picture of the damage to both cars and the area around the accident scene.
Approach the other motorist and exchange vital information such as name, car registration details, insurance number, phone number, and the insurance company. But don’t discuss fault of the policy limits because what you say may be used against you later.
If there are any eyewitnesses, approach them and get their name and contact information as well. After the accident, ensure you get a medical checkup even if you think you have not sustained any injuries.
You should also contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible for legal advice. Don’t give any recorded statement to your insurance company before speaking to a Rhode Island car accident lawyer.
As your claim progresses, maintain a clear record of all your doctor appointments and don’t accept any checks from your insurer or sign any documents without consulting your attorney.
You should also keep all receipts for medications and doctor visits. Ensure you keep a detailed record of any time missed from work due to the injuries suffered as well.
If you incur other expenses such as travel expenses to the doctor’s office, keep records and receipts of the expenses. These records will help your attorney prepare a solid case aimed at helping you recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Rhode Island Car Insurance Law: What Should I Know?
Under the Rhode Island car insurance law, all motorists are required to carry minimum liability coverage to pay for damages if they are at fault in an accident. The minimum liability coverage limit is $25,000 for personal injury per person and up to $50,000 if multiple parties are involved in the same accident.
Despite the law stating the minimum liability coverage required to drive in the state, at least 15% of Rhode Island drivers don’t carry even the minimum amounts of car insurance required.
Auto accident victims hit by uninsured or underinsured motorists can make a claim under their uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage.
If you are injured in a car accident in Rhode Island, you will be expected to claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, you can still contact your own insurance company and let them handle the claim process.
Either way, you will want to work closely with a Rhode Island car accident lawyer to advise you, represent you, and advocate on your behalf to ensure you get the rightful compensation you deserve.
You also need to remember that Rhode Island is a comparative fault state. It means that every party involved in an accident is assigned a fault percentage. This can be anything between 0 and 100 percent.
As a victim, you need to understand that the damages awarded to you in a car accident claim will be reduced by the percentage of fault you have been assigned.
For instance, if you were entitled to $100,000 in compensation and the judge determines that you were responsible for 10% of the accident, you will end up with $90,000.
Therefore, you need a lawyer who will argue your case thoroughly, so your rightful compensation isn’t taken away by an insurance adjuster who assigns you undeserved fault.
What Types of Compensation Are Available after a Car accident in Rhode Island?
When you meet with your Rhode Island car accident lawyer, they will assess your case to determine the different types of compensation that you may claim. Typically, you may recover damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses.
- Lost income.
- Lost earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
If you lost your loved one in an accident, you could also file for wrongful death damages. These damages are usually paid to a surviving family member of the deceased such as spouse or parents of minor children.
The compensation you may receive after a car accident in Rhode Island will depend on a wide range of factors, including the severity of the accident and injuries sustained. Keep in mind that your insurer won’t just write you a check to make up for what happened. You must fight to get what you deserve.
Talk to an Experienced Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer Now!
If you have been injured in a car accident in Rhode Island, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Contact us today to schedule a FREE, no-obligation review of your case. We help car accident victims throughout Rhode Island seek compensation for damages suffered.
