East Providence Car Accident Laws

East Providence residents know car accidents are a common occurrence on the roads and highways in Rhode Island. Another unfortunate commonality is that accident victims, who are unfamiliar with the laws of the state, don’t get the compensation they actually deserve following an accident. 

It is important to file the proper paperwork in a timely manner and report the accident to the police. Without following these basic protocols, many accident victims find their claims underpaid, delayed, or outright denied. This can be a costly mistake for an accident victim with thousands of dollars in medical bills and property damage. 

If you have been the victim of a car accident, you need to get a qualified East Providence car accident attorney on your side. A professional law firm has the resources available and the familiarity with car accident laws in East Providence to ensure you get the compensation you truly deserve. 

Rhode Island Statute of Limitations

A Statute of Limitations is the time you have to file a lawsuit in the court system. With car accidents, the statute of limitations varies depending on the severity of the damages resulting from the accident itself. 

Regardless of the type of accident, you need to start the claim process with the insurance company in a timely manner. Most insurance companies want the claim process to be submitted within at least a week or two. You need to be familiar with the terms of your own insurance policy. 

If you were injured as part of the accident, Rhode Island has a three-year statute of limitations. This means you have up to three years from the date of the accident to file your court case if you want to seek damages via the court system. 

If a loved one was killed as a result of the accident, the statute of limitations is still three years. However, this would be filed as a wrongful death lawsuit. The big difference here is that the statute of limitations begins not from the date of the accident, but the date of the death. 

For accidents without any personal injury, the statute of limitations is 10 years to file a lawsuit to get compensation for damaged vehicles and personal property. 

Comparative Negligence

Rhode Island operates as a pure comparative negligence state. What this means is that your amount of compensation is related to the percentage of fault assigned to you for the accident. If you are partially responsible for the damages incurred in the accident, then you would be awarded the judgment amount less than the percentage of your fault. 

For example, if it is determined that you were 20% responsible for the accident and there was a judgment for $100,000, then you would be entitled to receive $80,000 total compensation. This is why it is important to hire a qualified attorney who can help you determine the negligent parties and their respective percentage of fault. Gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and analyzing police and insurance reports are all part of how a good attorney can help to present the strongest case possible to get a judgment in your favor. They will ensure that you have the best options to persuade a claims adjuster, judge, or jury that you were not at fault or had minimal responsibility for the cause of the accident. 

Accident Reporting in East Providence

In Rhode Island, drivers are responsible for reporting to the police any accident that results in personal injury or death. They also must report accidents that cause damages to a vehicle or make the car unsafe or impossible to drive. 

If your accident resulted in personal injury, death, or damages in excess of $1,000, you need to write up a report and send it to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. You have 21 days after the accident to submit this report. 

Insurance Policies

You need to be familiar with the liability insurance requirements dictated by the state of Rhode Island. You should have full coverage to best ensure that you are completely covered in an accident that results in property damage, personal injury, or death. Not maintaining the proper requirements could have dire consequences for you personally and financially. 

East Providence Car Accident Lawyers

Navigating a car accident claim and the lawsuit can quickly become complicated. You need a team of experienced attorneys who will work tirelessly to make sure you get the representation and compensation that you deserve. 

At Dana and Dana Attorneys at Law, we have over 25 years of experience handling and litigating car accident cases. We help our clients file their claims, collect evidence, and deal with at-fault parties and insurance companies to ensure our clients get the best representation possible. 

Contact us today for a free case evaluation with one of our qualified attorneys.