401-365-6001

267 Newport Ave. Pawtucket, RI 02861 | (401) 365-6001

Injured in a Pawtucket car accident that was not your fault? You may be entitled to compensation to help cover the costs of your medical treatment, your lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys have the experience to negotiate with insurance companies to secure the compensation you deserve. d’Oliveira & Associates charges no legal fees until you receive an award or settlement. Call our Pawtucket office at 401-365-6001 or fill out our contact form for a free case consultation.

Pawtucket staff pictures
(L-R) D. Robin Gouveia (Attorney), Paul d’Oliveira (Attorney), Heather Spellman (Attorney), Lisa Lennon (Office Manager / Paralegal), Tiffany Shields (Paralegal)

The managing attorney of our Pawtucket office, D. Robin Gouveia, has been resolving clients’ car accident cases for more than 25 years. The staff in our Pawtucket office have the knowledge and experience to negotiate with insurance companies and obtain the compensation you deserve to help cover your personal injury expenses.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

2 people exchanging car insurance info after an accident.

Immediately after a car accident, turn on your car’s hazard lights and get someplace safe. Don’t move your vehicle unless it’s necessary to get out of harm’s way. Call 911 and get any injuries addressed right away. Make sure to document any medical treatment received and save copies of any bills.

File an accident report with the responding police officer and request a copy of the report for your own records. Do not admit or imply you were at fault for the accident as this statement can be used by insurance later to lower or deny your compensation. Take pictures or videos of the damage to your vehicle, your visible injuries, and the position of the cars after the accident. Note the weather conditions, road conditions, and any traffic violations that contributed to the accident.

Get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the other driver(s) involved in the accident. This information will be helpful to an experienced RI car accident lawyer for maximizing the compensation you receive to help cover the costs associated with your injuries.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

  • Speeding – drivers traveling above the posted speed limit pose a risk of injury to other drivers and pedestrians.
  • Distracted Driving – Whether it is a driver using their phone, adjusting the radio, or being distracted by their passengers, anything that takes a driver’s attention from the road increases the risk of being in an accident.
  • Drunk Driving – In the United States, a person dies in a car accident where drunk driving was a factor every 39 minutes. Nearly 30% of all fatal U.S. car accidents involve drunk driving, causing more than 10,000 deaths per year. Even after consuming a relatively small amount of alcohol or with a blood alcohol content that is within the legal limit (under 0.08), alcohol impairs brain function and basic motor skills, making safe vehicle operation more difficult and posing risks to others on the road.
  • Poor Road Conditions – Bad weather conditions, construction, or poorly maintained roads can be hazardous even for the most careful and cautious drivers and contribute to causing car accidents.
  • Car Part Defect – A vehicle’s manufacturing or design defect is the cause of some car accidents. Be sure to keep your vehicle’s maintenance up to date and to keep an eye out for recalls that require you to replace or repair a part in your vehicle.

How Long Do I Have to File My RI Car Accident Claim?

A man holding his neck in pain after a car accident.

Rhode Island’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years. This means that an injured party has three years from the time of injury to file a claim against the at-fault party. We advise that you contact an attorney soon after your accident, as it gives the attorney more time to investigate and create the strongest case possible, which usually results in an increase in compensation.

Our Best Car Accident Case Settlements:

  • $964,000 Car Accident Settlement – Our client sustained a brain injury after a car accident. She hired our firm, and we secured the settlement she was entitled to for covering her injury expenses.
  • $800,000 Car Accident Settlement – Our client suffered two fractured vertebrae and major bruising to her entire body. Our firm was eager to help, and we secured a favorable settlement for her.
  • $650,000 Car Accident Settlement – Our client sustained a concussion, dental and facial fractures, cuts to his arms and face, and required shoulder surgery. Our firm negotiated this large settlement for him.

What If the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?

If you were injured in a car accident where the other driver does not have insurance or does not carry enough insurance to cover your expenses, you may be able to collect uninsured or under-insured motorist benefits. These benefits would come from the insurance for the vehicle you were in at the time of your injury. Insurance companies cannot raise you rates for an accident that was not your fault. A knowledgeable Pawtucket car accident attorney can assess your situation to determine whether you are eligible to receive these benefits. Read more

Can I Receive Compensation for Damage to My Vehicle?

A man taking a picture of the damage to his vehicle after a car accident.

Yes! Typically, in addition to receiving compensation to help cover your personal injury expenses, you may also be able to recover compensation to cover the costs of repairing your car after the accident. Have your auto body repair mechanic meet with the claims adjuster to provide an accurate estimate of the cost of repair. This will be the best way to get the compensation you need to fix your vehicle and will prevent the insurance company from under-compensating you. Read more

How Much Does a Pawtucket Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

d’Oliveira & Associates does not charge anything until we win or settle your case. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we secure an award or settlement to compensate you for expenses related to your personal injuries. Read more

Most Dangerous Pawtucket Roads and Intersections

  • I-95 Exit 29 (US 1 Broadway/Broadway/Cottage St) – One source ranks this stretch of highway as the most dangerous in the entire state of Rhode Island. This area has even been ranked as one of the top five most dangerous in all of New England. In just three years, there were 191 crashes in this area, with 55 of those crashes resulting in injuries
  • Interstate 95 Exit 25 – One source ranks this area as the tenth most dangerous area for Rhode Island drivers. Within three years, there were 122 car accidents in this area, 53 of which resulted in injuries

Why Should I Hire a Pawtucket Car Accident Lawyer?

A lawyer at her desk case prepping.

Insurance companies are businesses that ultimately are out to make a profit. That is why insurance companies are likely to make under-compensatory settlement offers to claimants. Our attorneys know all of the tactics used by insurance companies to under-compensate injured victims, and we are not afraid to negotiate for the compensation you deserve. Remember to not accept a settlement or sign a waiver until you’ve been cleared by your doctor and are no longer suffering any pain. Read more

Contact d’Oliveira & Associates Today!

Were you or a loved one injured in a Pawtucket car accident that was not your fault? At d’Oliveira & Associates, our attorneys have decades of experience handing car accident cases. We prioritize client satisfaction, and our clients know it! Call our Pawtucket office today at 401-365-6001 or fill out an online contact form for a free case consultation. Let us focus on your case so you can focus on your recovery.

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