Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Rhode Island Could Strengthen Penalties for Repeat DUI Offenders
About one in three traffic deaths in the U.S. involve a drunk driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. Two days after a Rhode Island man was charged with drunk driving twice within 18 hours, the state’s senator renewed his push to toughen penalties for repeat DUI offenders. As reported by… Read More »
Texting While Walking is Linked to an Increased Risk of Pedestrian Accidents, a Study Shows
Nearly every adult in the U.S. uses a cellphone on a daily basis. Most of us are guilty of checking emails, sending texts, or browsing social media while walking. While doing two things at once can save lots of time, using your phone as you walk is more dangerous than you may realize. In… Read More »
Who’s at Fault in a Backing Out of Driveway Accident in Rhode Island?
If you were in backing out of the driveway accident in Rhode Island, the question of liability might not be as easily determinable as in other car accident scenarios. If you were hit while the other driver was backing out of a parking space, it might seem that he or she is at fault… Read More »
A Jury Should Determine Whether Uber is Liable for a Passenger’s Injury, a Rhode Island Judge Rules
Rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular among commuters in Rhode Island. The convenience, accessibility, and affordability make ride-hailing services an attractive option for commuters, riders traveling to and from the airport, or those who need to travel to venues with limited parking, such as downtown Providence. When a Lyft… Read More »
New Legislation, Co-Sponsored by Rep. Robert E. Craven, to Protect Patients from Unexpected Medical Bills
The new legislation, introduced by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero and co-sponsored by Rep. Robert E. Craven, would prevent patients from receiving unexpected and unreasonably high bills from out-of-network medical providers in Rhode Island, according to a press release on the State of Rhode Island General Assembly’s website. How the New Bill Would Protect Rhode Island… Read More »
Do All Elderly Drivers in Rhode Island Get Their Driver’s License Suspended or Face Restrictions?
Most traffic rules and regulations imposed by the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) apply to all drivers regardless of age. While the state claims that it has no special rules for motorists based on age alone, there are special license renewal requirements for drivers who are 75 and older. Other legal rules… Read More »
Weather-Related Car Accidents in Rhode Island: Avoid Them With These Safe Driving Tips
Ice and snow on Rhode Island roads are not uncommon during winter months. Although adverse weather conditions are factors in car accidents, drivers’ failure to exercise due care may also contribute to crashes on snow and ice. Throughout the country, more than 1,300 people are killed each year in vehicle crashes on snowy, icy,… Read More »
Recovering Damages After a Rhode Island Bus Accident: Why You Need a Lawyer
Who should be responsible for your injury if you were harmed in a Rhode Island bus accident? Whenever you think of buses or other means of public transportation in Rhode Island, the first thing that comes to mind is RIPTA. RIPTA, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, is a mass transportation system that offers low-cost… Read More »
Rhode Island Residents Will Now Face a Penalty for Having No Health Insurance
Starting January 1, 2020, Rhode Island residents are legally required to have health insurance. Otherwise, they will face a penalty on their taxes. As reported by WPRI, Rhode Island’s taxation division released a list of new tax changes in 2020, including the new health insurance mandate. Rhode Island residents who (a) do not carry… Read More »
First Vaping-Related Death Reported in Rhode Island
The first vaping-related death has been reported in Rhode Island while the number of fatalities and injuries linked to vaping continues to rise nationwide. As of December 17, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed at least 54 deaths and over 2,500 illnesses tied to vaping. Injured vapers in Rhode Island and… Read More »
