In 2020, WalletHub revealed that Rhode Island ranked as the second-worst state in the country for driving. At just over one million residents, the state comes in as one of the least populated in the nation, but it also has the smallest area, making for highly congested traffic. Rhode Island came in the bottom 10 in three of the four elements researchers considered in terms of commuting conditions, including:
- Cost of vehicle ownership and maintenance
- Access to vehicles and maintenance
- Traffic and infrastructure
While the state ranked high in safety, the dangerous conditions of the roadways and lack of access to vehicle maintenance can have devastating consequences when combined with instances of driver negligence. If you or a loved one suffered severe or fatal injuries in a motor vehicle collision caused by someone else, a Rhode Island car accident lawyer can help you seek financial recovery. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case with our legal team.
Common Car Accident Injuries
According to a study in the medical journal Trauma, motor vehicle accidents account for most incidences of physical trauma and subsequent fatalities among people ages 64 and under in the U.S. The study notes that most car accident injuries result from blunt force, and the type and severity depend on the direction of impact. Some of the most commonly occurring injuries in motor vehicle collisions include:
- Head injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and skull fractures
- Neck and spine injuries: Whiplash and cervical spine fractures
- Broken bones: Foot, pelvic, rib, and ankle fractures
- Upper body injuries: Aortic rupture, chest wall, liver, spleen, and pulmonary contusions
In many cases, severe injuries can have lasting or even fatal effects on car accident victims, but a Rhode Island car accident attorney can help you pursue financial recovery for your damages or the loss of your loved one. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm 24/7 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a team member.
A Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Establish Liability in Your Case
In Rhode Island, all drivers must carry liability insurance, which allows their policy to cover victims’ damages if the policyholder causes a car accident. In most cases, victims and their families settle out of court with insurance companies to avoid the potential delay and risk associated with going to trial.
However, insurance adjusters often manipulate victims into taking settlement amounts that do not fully cover their damages by making an offer right away, often before they have a chance to calculate their losses. If an insurance company reached out to you about a settlement, you have a right to reject their offer and contact an attorney to help you seek a fair amount.
Collecting Evidence
To help you build your case and pursue the award you deserve, a car accident lawyer might gather evidence to demonstrate the other driver’s fault. Types of evidence they collect could include:
- Photos and videos of skid marks, debris, property damage, and injuries
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Medical records and bills
- Repair invoices
- Cell phone records
- Testimony from a medical expert
This information can bring an attorney a step closer to establishing negligence in your case, which can help you in seeking a fair settlement.
Proving Negligence
Insurance companies might attempt to deflect their policyholder’s blame to avoid covering your damages. However, a personal injury lawyer can use the evidence they collect to prove that the other driver’s actions meet the criteria for legal negligence in your case. To do so, they must demonstrate that the driver:
- Had a duty to exercise reasonable care in your vicinity to protect you from harm.
- Breached their duty of care through an act of carelessness or by failing to act.
- Caused your injuries through their breach of duty.
- Left you with significant damages because of your accident-related injuries.
In most car accident cases, settling out of court offers the ideal resolution for all involved parties. However, if your Rhode Island car accident lawyer believes that settling will not provide you with adequate compensation, they could take your case to trial to seek financial recovery on your behalf.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Financial Awards in Car Accident Cases
The types and amounts of awards you could receive for your car accident claim depend on the circumstances of your case, such as the extent of your injuries and the amount of insurance coverage available to you. Financial recovery may include many kinds of damages, such as:
- Medical bills and other healthcare-related expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering
An attorney can help you evaluate your losses and seek an adequate award for your injuries.
Rhode Island Statutes of Limitations on Car Accident Claims
Rhode Island has a time limit, called a statute of limitations, on car accident claims filed by victims and their loved ones against the at-fault driver. A victim can file a personal injury claim to seek financial recovery for their injuries within three years of the accident per RI General Laws § 9-1-14. Meanwhile, the executor of the victim’s estate can file a wrongful death suit within three years of the date of their passing per RI General Laws § 10-7-2.
Exceptions may apply, but a personal injury lawyer can help you determine how much time you have left to file your claim and help you start with the process.
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Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our Rhode Island car accident lawyers understand the long-term effects that crashes often have on the lives of victims and their families. If you suffered injuries or lost a family member in a motor vehicle collision in the Ocean State, our team can help you seek the financial awards you deserve. Contact us today at (800) 794-0444 to speak with our legal team about your case.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form