390 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 | (401) 831-8600
If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other expenses. Our firm does not charge a fee until you receive a settlement or award for your case. Call our Providence office today at (401) 831-8600 or fill out an online contact form for a free case evaluation.
What Is My Providence Auto Accident Case Worth?
Injured in a car accident that was not your fault? You may be entitled to compensation to help cover your medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Insurance companies will try to undercompensate you, and it takes an experienced attorney to ensure you get the most compensation possible for your injuries. Click link to learn more about what my personal injury case is worth.
Can I Recover for Property Damage to My Car?
In addition to compensation for your personal injury, you may also be entitled to compensation for the damage to your vehicle. Be sure to have your auto body repair mechanic assess the damage and to communicate the cost to the insurance adjuster. Because the mechanic will be the one fixing your vehicle, they are in the best position to accurately evaluate the expenses to ensure you receive adequate compensation. Click link to learn more about how to handle your auto property damage claim.
What Should I Do After My Providence Car Accident?
- Immediately after the accident, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights. Do not move your vehicle unless it is necessary to do so to get out of harm’s way.
- Call 911 and request necessary medical attention.
- Record the other driver’s name, address, contact information, and insurance information.
- Take photos or videos of the scene of the accident, including the cars’ positions.
- Note weather at the time of the accident, road conditions, traffic violations, and the location of the accident.
- Get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
What Insurance Coverage Does a RI Motorist Have to Carry?
The minimum liability coverage a RI driver must carry is $25,000/$50,000, meaning each individual injured in an accident is covered for up to $25,000 with up to $50,000 of coverage available total for the accident. Underinsurance may also be available from the vehicle you were in at the time of injury or for vehicles owned by others in your household if the minimum liability is not enough coverage for your expenses. Many drivers carry more than the minimum liability coverage.
What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
If the at-fault driver in your accident is uninsured, or if the other driver flees the scene of the accident, you are likely entitled to uninsured motorist benefits from the insurance for the vehicle you were in at the time of your injury. In Rhode Island, the minimum coverage for uninsured motorist benefits is $25,000 per person injured and $50,000 total for the accident. An experienced Providence car accident lawyer can determine whether you are eligible for these benefits.
What Are the Most Common Causes of a Car Accident?
- Speeding – A driver travelling above posted speed limits poses a risk of injury to other drivers and pedestrians.
- Drunk Driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol is a leading cause of car accidents in the U.S. Nearly 30% of all fatal U.S. car accidents, over 10,000 deaths per year, are accidents where drunk driving was a factor. Even driving with a blood alcohol under the legal limit of 0.08 can impair decision making and reaction time, which can lead to fatal accidents, both for the impaired driver and others on the road.
- Distracted Driving – Whether it is cell phone use, adjusting a GPS, changing the radio station, or being distracted by passengers, there are many forms of distracted driving, all of which take a driver’s attention off the road and which can increase the likelihood of being in an accident.
- Auto Defects – Car accidents can be caused by design defects or manufacturing issues in a vehicle. Be sure your vehicle’s maintenance is up to date, and that you are aware of any recalls of your vehicle’s parts to get them repaired or replaced.
- Driver Error – Inexperienced drivers and careless experienced drivers alike can cause car accidents due to human error. A driver may make a poor judgment call, drive over-aggressively, or simply lack experience, which can all result in car accidents and potential injury to others on the road.
How Much Does a Providence Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. We charge nothing until you receive an award or settlement for your claim. If we cannot win you anything, you pay nothing! Contact us today either by calling at (401) 831-8600 or filling out an online contact form to learn what we can do for you!
Questions to Ask a Providence Car Accident Attorney
- What is your experience handling car accident cases?
- Have you handled any cases with similar facts as mine?
- How much will it cost to hire you?
- What is the likely outcome of my case?
- What can I receive compensation for?
- How long will it take to resolve my case?
- What is your success rate?
Do I Have to Go to Court for My Providence Car Accident Case?
Many personal injury cases, including car accident cases, can be settled out of court. For decades, d’Oliveira & Associates attorneys have been successfully settling Providence car accident cases without ever having to set foot in a courtroom. However, if your case cannot be settled out-of-court, our attorneys are not afraid to fight for you in the approximately 5% of our cases that do go to court.
How Long Do I Have to File My Case?
The statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims in Rhode Island is three (3) years. But don’t wait! The longer your attorney has to investigate your situation, the more compensation you are likely to receive for your injuries.
How Do I Deal with My Insurance Company?
- Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible after your accident to file a claim.
- Review your insurance policy and determine what coverage you have and what claims to file. Hiring our experienced Providence car accident lawyers can help make this process straightforward.
- Be honest with your insurance agent and tell them specific details of your accident. Also provide the insurance information of the other parties involved in the accident.
- Our recommendation is that you do not speak with the at-fault party’s insurance company, unless you first consult an experienced Providence car accident lawyer. If you do choose to speak with the opposing party’s insurance company:
- DO NOT discuss details of the accident as it may be used against you to minimize your compensation.
- DO NOT accept any settlement offers until your treating doctor has cleared you and you are no longer experiencing pain.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Providence, RI
- I-95 at Exit 20: Time Magazine ranked this as Rhode Island’s worst intersection, and another source considers this to be the most dangerous roadway in all of New England. In just three years, this interchange saw 217 crashes, 90 of which resulted in driver and passenger injuries.
- I-95 Exit 18 (Thurbers Ave.) – The RIDOT ranks this as the second most dangerous RI intersection. Over the course of three years, this area saw 296 crashes, resulting in one fatality and 79 injuries.
- Memorial Boulevard near Providence Place Mall: This is a confusing and dangerous intersection where the RIDOT has reported 50 car accidents occur annually. This intersection is particularly dangerous because of the steady flow of pedestrians, one-way roads, and confusing traffic flow to merge onto the highway.
- To see more about Rhode Island’s most dangerous roads.
How to Report a Providence Car Accident
- Contact the police. A car accident can be startling and disorienting, so call after ensuring you and your vehicle are in a safe location. It is best to report the accident to police after you have received medical attention. Even in the case of a minor car accident, like a fender bender, having a police report may be useful in the future to determine liability and to resolve disputes about compensation.
- Be polite in addressing the police. As the officers secure your accident scene, they will be determining fault, and you don’t want to unintentionally prejudice them against you by acting impolitely.
- Be honest but avoid admitting fault. After your accident, you may be confused about what happened. It is important that you do not mistakenly admit fault when you were not liable for the accident, especially in the accident report. Insurance companies may even interpret you saying “I’m sorry” as admitting fault.
- Provide important information. Relevant information that you will want to report includes the time, location, and circumstances of the accident. Provide the personal and contact information of all drivers involved, the vehicles’ positions, road conditions, any obvious traffic violations, witness statements, and images of the accident. Keep a record of this information as it will be beneficial for your claim. Before agreeing to any settlement offers or admitting fault, be sure to contact your insurance agent and an experienced car accident attorney.
- Document the situation in case an officer is not available. If an officer is unable to respond to your accident scene, be sure to get witness statements and contact information and to gather as much evidence as you can. The more evidence you have to provide police with a detailed report the better, and you can even record yourself narrating the events as you recall them to aid you in this process.
Why Hire d’Oliveira & Associates?
Our Providence car accident attorneys have been successfully resolving clients’ car accident cases for over three decades. We answer all phone calls, 24/7. We charge no legal fees until we win your case. Each of our attorneys has 20+ years of experience and know the tactics insurance companies use to try to undercompensate you. Allow us to investigate your claim and maximize your compensation so you can focus on your recovery. Call today at (401) 831-8600 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.