Rhode Island Car Accident Attorney
From the vital I-95 and Providence Beltway to the intricate, complicated web of roads and highways in and around Providence and outlying areas, driving throughout Rhode Island can be a risky proposition. Sadly, dozens of people lose their lives every year in Rhode Island car accidents, and hundreds or thousands more are injured. The real tragedy is that most car accidents could be avoided if everyone drove with care and attention to safety. Instead, negligent behavior such as distracted driving or drinking and driving causes innocent people to suffer serious injury or worse in a crash. The Rhode Island car accident attorneys at Robert E. Craven & Associates dedicate themselves to helping car accident victims get the care and compensation they need to fully recover as much as possible after a collision with a negligent driver.
How do car accident claims work in Rhode Island?
Under Rhode Island law, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance to pay for damages if they cause a car accident. At a minimum, this insurance must cover up to $25,000 for personal injury to one person, up to $50,000 if multiple people are injured in the same accident, and $25,000 in property damage. Despite this law, over 15% of Rhode Island drivers fail to carry even the minimum amounts of insurance required. Accident victims hit by an uninsured driver can make a claim under their uninsured motorist insurance coverage.
If you are injured in a car accident, you’ll want to make a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You can also contact your own insurance company and let them handle the claim process. Either way, you’ll want to contact a personal injury attorney to advise you, represent you and advocate on your behalf with the insurance company. The insurance company may dispute your claim and say their insured is not responsible for the accident, or they may act like you didn’t suffer any injuries in the crash. If they do accept liability, they may only offer a minimal amount to cover your property damage and a doctor visit, when in reality your costs may be much greater. When you have an experienced lawyer negotiating on your behalf, you’ll be in a position to receive a much larger settlement than if you dealt with the insurance company on your own. Also, if negotiations do not yield a satisfactory settlement, your lawyer will be ready to go to court and argue your case before a jury. Make sure you select an attorney with trial experience who has successfully taken Rhode Island car accident cases all the way to a jury verdict.
Drivers can be held liable for car accidents caused by their negligence. Some of the most common examples of negligent driving behavior are:
- Speeding
- Distracted Driving
- Drunk Driving
- Disobeying traffic signs and signals
- Failing to adjust driving to current weather conditions, road conditions and traffic patterns
- Making erratic or unpredictable lane changes and other maneuvers
- Failing to use turn signals
- Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Failing to maintain the car with working brake lights, headlights and taillights
- Turning left into the path of an oncoming motorcycle
- Turning at an intersection without checking for pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Driving aggressively
What should I do after a car accident?
At the scene, move the vehicles out of traffic if it is safe to do so. Call the police and wait for them to arrive. Call 911 if anyone needs emergency medical help. While waiting for the police, take pictures of the damage to the vehicles and the area around the accident. Exchange information with the other driver such as name, phone number, and insurance company name and policy number. Don’t discuss policy limits or fault. If there are witnesses to the accident, get their name and contact information as well.
After the accident, follow up with a doctor as soon as you can, even if you are not visibly injured. Call an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible for advice. Don’t give recorded statements to the insurance company, and don’t accept any checks or sign any documents before you’ve spoken with a lawyer. As your case progresses, keep all your doctor appointments and follow doctor’s orders. Also, keep all receipts for doctor visits and medications, and keep detailed, accurate records regarding any time missed from work due to your injuries. If you have other expenses, such as travel expenses to doctor appointments, keep records and receipts of these expenses as well. This will help your lawyer prepare a solid case aimed at getting you maximum compensation for your injuries.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys are Here to Help after a Rhode Island Car Accident
For immediate help after a car accident, call Robert E. Craven & Associates at 401-453-2700 for a free consultation with a team of experienced and successful Rhode Island car accident attorneys.
