1) If I am injured in a car accident, what should I do?
Be sure to stop at the scene of the car accident and notify the police department immediately of the accident. If possible, get all the information about the other parties involved in the accident, including their name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Be sure to get treatment for your injuries from a medical provider as soon as possible.
At the time of the accident, obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. If you have a camera or cell phone with a camera, take pictures of your car, the other car, and the scene of the accident. If you have noticeable bruises or physical conditions, take pictures of the physical condition as soon as possible. Do not give any statement to the insurance adjuster until you have had a chance to speak with an attorney.
2) How do I determine how much money I am entitled to as a result of the accident?
In determining the value of the case, attorneys must consider a combination of factors, including lost wages, pain and suffering, permanence of the injury, any scarring or disfigurement, loss of consortium, periods of disability, etc. Determining the value of a case is more of an art than a science. The amount of medical bills incurred will be a major factor in determining the value of the case.
3) Does Rhode Island have a statute of limitations for personal injury cases?
There is a three-year statute of limitations for filing a negligence lawsuit in Rhode Island. If you do not file a lawsuit within three years from the date of the accident, you will be forever barred from filing a claim as a result of the accident. In the event that the claim is for personal injury against a city or town, there are very strict notification requirements.
4) What if I am injured and the other party is at fault but does not have insurance?
You have the legal right to file a claim against the person or corporation whose negligence caused your injury. However, in many cases, the negligent party does not have the property or funds to pay the damages. As long as you have uninsured or underinsured motorist protection, you will be able to file a claim against your own insurance company for uninsured or underinsured claims.
5) How do I recover if I am hit by a hit-and-run motorist?
If you have uninsured motorist protection with your own insurance company, you may be entitled to file a claim against your own insurance company.
Rhode Island Attorneys Legal Notice under the RI Rules of Professional Responsibility:
The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice.