Rhode Island Car Accident Attorney

According to Rhode Island General Laws section 9-1-14, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years. This means you have three years from the date your injury occurred to file a claim, or you will lose your right to file and your right to recover compensation.

While three years may seem like a significant amount of time, some exceptions do exist that can change this time limit so it’s important to speak to a skilled attorney about the specifics of your case as soon as possible. Sands Law Offices offers free, no-obligation consultations so you have nothing to lose by contacting our firm!

In accidents where only one driver is at fault, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays out any necessary damages. However, most accidents have more than one driver at fault in some way or another. In these cases, Rhode Island follows a "pure comparative negligence" law.

This law is found in Rhode Island General Laws section 9-20-4 and it states that when more than one person is at fault for an accident the court will determine both the amount of compensation to be awarded to the claimant and the percentage of fault all parties are responsible for.

In the end, the amount of fault the plaintiff is found to be responsible for will be reduced from their total compensation amount. For example, if an injury victim is found to be 20% at fault for the accident that led to their injuries their total compensation amount be reduced by 20%. In Rhode Island, an injury victim is eligible to pursue compensation no matter how at fault they are for an accident.

Take this opportunity to find out how we can support you in this trying time. Contact us today at (401) 921-4905 today.

If you were hit by another vehicle during an accident that was caused by a negligent driver, you are likely owed compensation. Recovering the full amount of compensation you deserve can be difficult without a qualified Rhode Island car accident lawyer on your side.

This is because insurance companies are mainly concerned with saving their company money not what you need in order to recover well from your injuries. Our firm is experienced in car accident law and knows the ins and outs of what to expect during the claims process. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you.

When we take on an auto accident claim, we handle every single aspect of the case. This means our client can focus on what really counts: healing physically and emotionally.

The following are just a few of the ways a Warwick, Rhode Island car accident lawyer can help:

• Filing your insurance claim and handling all dealings with the insurance company.
• Handling any and all communication with the other party or parties involved in the accident itself, as well as their insurance provider or legal counsel.
• Gathering evidence to support your claim for medical expenses, vehicle damage, loss of earnings, and emotional trauma.
• Determining and proving the true cause of the collision to limit or negate your liability.
• Pursuing a fair settlement through negotiations with the at-fault party.
• Taking your case to court, if needed, to seek an award of financial compensation.

Since most insurance companies include in their settlements that they will not pay any further compensation, once you agree to a settlement amount it’s usually difficult to recover any further compensation.

This is why it is so important to speak to an attorney about your case before signing anything. If you have agreed to a settlement, it’s possible you may still have options. Call our firm today to discuss your case.

What can you do if you were injured in an accident with a hit-and-run driver or someone who did not have auto insurance? Although insurance is required for all Rhode Island motorists, some simply choose to drive without insurance or may have unintentionally let their insurance policy expire. In either scenario, you may be left out in the cold when it comes to seeking financial compensation.

Your insurance policy may provide for the following types of additional coverage:

• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage is provided in the instance of an accident with a motorist who has no insurance.
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage is provided in accidents where the at-fault party had insufficient coverage to pay for all of the other party’s losses.

When our Warwick auto accident attorney takes on an uninsured motorist claim, he will look at your insurance policy to determine whether you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Many policies offer coverage for uninsured motorists, but it is important to find the specific information on this part of the policy in filing your claim. This type of claim will not increase your insurance rates.

The moments following a car accident are incredibly overwhelming but they’re also the most crucial. Regardless of how stressful the situation is, it’s imperative that you stay calm and focused.

• Step One: If the accident is minor and you feel safe to do so, you should try to move your vehicle out of traffic
• Step Two: Check for injuries, then call an ambulance for anyone in need of medical assistance
• Step Three: Notify the police so a police report can be written up
• Step Four: Gather information from other drivers, including vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers, and the accident scene location. If a police report was filed, be sure to write down the officer’s name and badge number
• Step Five: Take photos of the scene and the vehicles involved to have an accurate record of the damage
• Step Six: In these moments, you want to say as little as possible. Apologizing or saying anything that might be perceived as an admission of guilt can be used against you
• Step Seven: Do not sign anything from insurers or accept any offers without consulting a RI car accident lawyers
• Step Eight: Seek medical treatment following any type of collision, even if you think your injuries are minor
• Step Nine: File an insurance claim with your insurance company right away, and be sure not to admit any fault or apologize for damages
• Step Ten: Hire an attorney to make sure that you are being fairly compensated by insurers for your vehicle damages