Steps to Take After a Rhode Island Auto Accident

In Rhode Island, 63 people died in car accidents in 2021, resulting from 61 fatal crashes. Getting into a car accident can be a deeply traumatizing event, often leaving you feeling disoriented and uncertain about the next steps to take. Whether it’s a minor bump or a serious collision with injuries, it’s natural to feel unsettled when you suddenly find yourself in such a situation. The steps you take at the accident scene ensure the best possible outcome if you are pursuing a personal injury lawsuit or filing an accident claim for compensation. Ensuring your immediate safety and understanding Rhode Island’s specific accident laws are crucial steps to take after a car accident. Let’s dive into the essential actions you should take to navigate this challenging experience with confidence and clarity.

Move to a Safe Location

Your safety, along with the safety of all others involved, should be your highest priority following a car accident. Take a moment to take a deep breath and evaluate your injuries as well as those of any of your passengers. After a collision, your vehicle and others may be left on the road, posing a danger to oncoming traffic. If the accident is minor and both vehicles are still operable, you and the other driver should safely relocate to the side of the road. However, if you or anyone else has sustained injuries or if the cars are immobile, it’s best to leave the vehicles where they are. Make sure to turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers can notice your presence.

Call the Police and Seek Medical Attention

After ensuring you’re safe from immediate danger, the next important step is to call the police and seek the medical assistance you may need. Call 911 as soon as you can. Under Rhode Island law, it’s mandatory for drivers to report any accident that results in significant property damage, injury, or death.

Law enforcement officials can be very helpful in these situations, as they will arrive to assess the accident scene and create a police report detailing their understanding of the incident. This report can be very important, especially if there are discrepancies between your account and what the other driver states.

Even if you feel fine at the moment, it’s crucial to get medical attention right away. Some injuries may not show symptoms until hours or even days later. Additionally, having a doctor’s evaluation right after the incident can help establish that your injuries were a result of the accident, rather than occurring afterward.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

Be sure to gather the name and insurance details of the other driver or drivers involved in the accident and provide your information to them as well. If the other driver isn’t willing to cooperate or share their details, it’s best to wait for the police to arrive. They can record the other driver’s insurance information for you, and you can ask for a copy. If you think the other driver might leave without giving you their contact details, make sure to note their license plate number. Leaving the scene of an accident can be classified as a hit-and-run, which is illegal in Rhode Island.

Besides collecting information from the other driver(s) involved, it’s also important to obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses present. Witnesses can offer valuable accounts of what they observed, helping to support your account of how the accident happened and who was at fault.

Document the Scene

It’s important to document every aspect of the accident scene, including the scene itself, any damage to your vehicle, and any injuries you sustained. Thorough documentation is essential for establishing fault and supporting your insurance claim. Insurance companies often place significant weight on these details when assessing claims, so make sure to spend a little time documenting the scene to ensure you’re well-prepared for the next steps in managing the aftermath of the collision.

Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the incident from multiple angles. Alongside this, make sure to document the area itself, focusing on road conditions, traffic signs or signals, any visible debris, and the weather. Finally, its important to take pictures of any visible injuries you received, that way you can directly link them to the accident.

Notify Your Insurance Company

After you’ve documented the scene and filed a police report, the final step to take after an accident is to reach out to your insurance company. Acting quickly helps ensure a smoother claims process and allows your insurer to investigate the circumstances and establish liability, paving the way for timely compensation for your injuries and damages.

When you call your insurance company, there are several things you should notify them about. Provide basic information, including the time, date and location of the accident. Describe the incident itself, sticking to the facts and recounting what happened when. Make sure to submit your documentation as well, including photos and videos from the scene, the police report, and details about other parties and potential witnesses. Finally, ask about next steps. Consult with the insurer on additional actions needed on your part to process your claim.

Speak With an Experienced Rhode Island Auto Accident Attorney

It’s essential to contact your insurance company to safeguard your right to file a legal claim. However, remember that your insurer typically prioritizes profit, which means they may aim to minimize what they pay out. When interacting with any insurance company, whether your own or the other driver’s, keep this in mind. Also, remember that insurance companies have legal teams and experts, so it’s beneficial to have your own legal representative. Finding yourself involved in a car accident can be a terrifying situation. The legal steps that follow can be just as overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with insurance claims and safeguarding your rights. That’s where an experienced car accident lawyer in Rhode Island can make a significant difference, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve while alleviating much of the stress from the process.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident in Rhode Island, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other related losses. Call us at 401-431-1990, or fill out our online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.