If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Rhode Island, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, among other losses. Our experienced RI motorcycle accident lawyers charge no fee until you receive a settlement or award. Call us 24/7 at (401) 200-4060 or contact us online for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.
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What Is My RI Motorcycle Case Worth?
If the other driver was at least partially at fault, you may be eligible to collect for:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Income
- Pain & Suffering
- Property Damage to Your Motorcycle
- Physical Injuries
- Mental Anguish
- Wrongful Death
It is difficult to prove pain and suffering in motorcycle accident cases because insurance companies try to downplay your injuries. Your personal injury recovery amount will generally depend on the severity of your injury. Typically, a person who requires surgery for their injuries will recover more compensation than someone who has only small cuts and bruises. Another important factor is how long your doctor indicates you were in pain; the longer you are suffering and in pain, the more money you will likely be awarded. Read on.
Actual Client Video of Their Motorcycle Accident
We won a large settlement for our client’s motorcycle accident
Find an RI Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near You
- Coventry
- Cranston
- East Providence
- Johnston
- Middletown
- Pawtucket
- Providence
- South Kingstown
- Warwick
- Woonsocket
What Is the Legal Fee?
We charge the industry standard, which is 1/3 of your settlement. You will not be charged unless and until we obtain an award or settlement for you.
What Insurance Coverage Is Required for RI Motorcyclists?
In RI, the minimum amount of auto insurance required is $25,000 of property damage liability coverage and at least $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, which is broken down into $25,000 per person’s bodily injury. A person injured in a motorcycle accident will have at least $25,000 in liability insurance available to them from the negligent driver’s insurance company. Your motorcycle may also have underinsurance coverage, in which case the coverage is also 25/50/25. Often there is more coverage than the minimum amounts and our lawyers can investigate this for you.
Why Are Motorcycle Cases Harder to Prove?
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, it could be difficult to prove you were not at least partially at fault. Oftentimes, the insurance company adjuster will attempt to prove their insured is not entirely at fault because they did not see the motorcycle. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can walk you through the process to get the best settlement for your injuries. Read more.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
In cases where motorcycle accidents are fatal, the deceased rider’s survivors may have a valid wrongful death claim if the other driver was at fault. Wrongful death claims may entitle surviving family members to various types of compensation, including lost income, medical expenses, burial expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and the loss of relationship with their spouse, children, or parents left behind after the rider’s death. An experienced RI motorcycle accident lawyer can assess your case and advise you of everything you may be entitled to.
To determine the value of future lost income, experts are typically called to calculate what would have been the earning capacity for the rest of the deceased victim’s life. Their survivors may also be entitled to collect hospital expenses accrued from the time of injury up until the victim’s passing, damages associated with the deceased’s pain and suffering prior to death, and money to cover the emotional costs of losing your loved one.
What Can I Do to Help My RI Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
The first, and perhaps most important, key to working with your motorcycle accident lawyer is to act quickly. As time passes, physical evidence can be destroyed or disappear, and witnesses’ memories fade and become distorted.
We will review your medical records with you to see the extent of medical treatment you received, and that medical staff have documented the severity of all your injuries.
We will tell you exactly what information to provide so there is no guesswork. We also take care of all the paperwork and deal with the insurance company for you. We will focus on your case so you can focus on your recovery.
Does a Motorcycle Defect Change Things?
If there was a defective motorcycle part contributing to your accident, an experienced RI motorcycle accident lawyer can determine whether you have a claim against the manufacturer of the bike, the manufacturer of the defective part, or even the garage where the motorcycle was most recently serviced.
Some Examples of Motorcycle Part Defects Include:
- Mechanical defects
- Brake defects
- Defective gear shift
- Faulty design (like the Harley Davidson Wobble)
- Handlebar Defects
- Tire Defects
- Fuel Line Defects
- Faulty Wiring
- Brake Defects
- Headlight, Taillight and Turn Signal Defects
Choosing an Appropriate Helmet
Not only does wearing a helmet greatly reduce the risk of a severe head injury to a motorcyclist, but wearing a helmet is also the law for many (under age 21) Rhode Island motorcyclists. It is important to know that if you are involved in a motorcycle accident but were not wearing a helmet, this could be used as a defense against you by making you at least partly liable and to reduce the compensation you receive. d’Oliveira & Associates are experienced in addressing this type of defense and in getting you the award or settlement you deserve. Read more here.
- Make sure the helmet has a “DOT” sticker and is up to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards.
- The federal standard helmet weighs about 3 pounds; avoid helmets lighter than 3 pounds as they likely are not going to protect your head and brain well enough in the event of a crash.
- A safe motorcycle helmet should also have thick inner cushioning and lining made of stiff foam in order to adequately protect your head.
How Should I Dress to Ride a Motorcycle?
Although it can be tempting to dress relaxed or in light clothing to stay cool, especially in the summer, protection of your body in the event of a crash is most important. Also, riding a motorcycle exposes you to an increased risk of sun and wind burn, so it is a good idea to cover as much of the skin as possible in:
- Protective jacket, ideally made of leather
- Full-length pants
- Heavy-duty shoes or boots (do not wear flip flops on a motorcycle)
- Leather gloves or gloves specifically designed for motorcycle riding
- Protective eyewear – goggles, glasses, or your helmet’s face shield
Lane Splitting Laws in Rhode Island
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two same-direction lanes of traffic. While it is legal in some U.S. states, lane splitting is illegal in Rhode Island.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Many motorcycle accidents result from the negligence of others on the road. Some common mistakes made by other car or truck drivers that may result in a motorcycle accident include:
- Vehicle turning left and cutting off a motorcycle at an intersection
- Driver of vehicle changing lanes into the motorcyclist
- Failing to check blind spot or rearview mirrors
- Passing motorcyclist without enough space in between
- Tailgating the motorcycle
- Misjudging the motorcyclist’s speed and clipping the motorcycle
Tips for Riding with a Passenger
Rhode Island and Massachusetts both require that:
- motorcycle passengers be wearing a helmet
- there be a separate rear seat and separate footrests for passengers
- passengers ride behind the motorcycle’s driver, with the exception of sidecars
Check out R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-6 for more information.
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Injuries
In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident personal injury claims is 3 years. RI property damage claims resulting from motorcycle accidents, however, are allotted a 10 year statute of limitations.
But don’t wait to contact a motorcycle accident attorney! An experienced lawyer needs as much time as possible to thoroughly investigate your situation and get you the largest award or settlement for your case.
Helpful Resources for Motorcyclists
- Test your motorcycling knowledge
- How to choose an appropriate motorcycle helmet
- Motorcycle safety facts
What Should I Look for in a Good Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
- If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to find a lawyer who is both licensed in your state and whose focus is personal injury law.
- d’Oliveira & Associates’ personal injury lawyers are licensed in BOTH Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
- Find the most experienced motorcycle accident lawyer possible. Familiarity with motorcycle accidents is essential because the issues are more difficult to resolve than those involved in car accidents. Additionally, motorcycle accidents call for a great deal of interaction with insurance companies, whom we deal with on a regular basis.
- Our motorcycle accident lawyers have decades of experience and are very knowledgeable in representing motorcyclists hurt in accidents.
- Once you have chosen a lawyer who suits you, contact them. Speak with the attorney or someone in their office about whether you have a claim and how you should proceed.
- We offer a free (no obligation) case evaluation. We will answer any questions you have and examine your circumstances to determine whether you have a case. Call us anytime at (401) 200-4060.
Why Call Us Today?
The answer is quite simple. We only handle personal injury and disability cases and have settled thousands of personal injury cases over the past 30 years. All of our lawyers have at least 20 years of experience in handling motorcycle accident cases in both RI and MA. We cannot express how important experience is when it comes to these matters. We are committed to getting you the most money we can for your injuries and answering all your questions every step of the way. Customer service is a top priority here as we want you to be excited about our representation and obtain the best possible settlement you are entitled to. Call us toll-free 24/7 or contact us online for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.