Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, but the impact may last for weeks, months, or even years. From third-degree burns to brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, and more, an accident could lead to a range of severe injuries that disrupt or completely alter your daily life. And the worst part? Negligent parties often prioritize themselves over those they have injured.

You should not be left to pay the losses, or “damages,” incurred by another person’s negligence. Unfortunately, in the days after a crash, insurance agents will attempt to do just that. At Karns & Kerrison, we won’t allow this. Since 1974, our dedicated legal team has stood up for auto accident victims, taking on insurance companies in negotiations and, if need be, in civil court. A lawsuit may be the best way to recover the full amount of your damages, such as pain and suffering, medical costs, lost earnings, emotional distress, and more.

Call us today at (888) 281-3100 to schedule a FREE consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer in Rhode Island.

When to Get an Attorney for a Car Accident

The last thing anyone wants to worry about after an accident injury is having to deal with insurance adjusters, file paperwork, and collect evidence. That’s where an attorney comes in: They can handle the brunt of the legal work so that you can focus on getting the medical treatment and rest you need to recover. In addition, a good attorney will greatly increase your chance of recovering your full and fair compensation.

When you come to Karns & Kerrison, you can rest easy knowing our team of Rhode Island car accident attorneys is handling all aspects of your claim, including:

• Helping you get the medical treatment you need
• Filing all necessary paperwork
• Collecting any necessary documents or evidence to support your claim
• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Preparing your case for trial, if a settlement cannot be reached

Whether you hire an attorney is up to you—and it doesn’t hurt to consult one. Karns & Kerrison provides no-cost, no-obligation consultations to all prospective clients. That way, you can make an informed decision about legal representation.

Who Can File a Car Accident Lawsuit?

In Rhode Island, anyone injured due to the negligence of another has the right to seek compensation through a civil lawsuit.

You will need to prove a few elements to have a strong, valid case:

• The negligent party owed you a duty of care, such as the one all motorists owe to others on the road;
• The negligent party violated this duty through negligence, such as speeding or other reckless driving;
• The violation resulted in an accident, meaning their negligence (not yours) directly caused the accident; and
• The accident led to your injury and its associated damages, such as missed time from work, medical care, vehicular damage, etc.

How Much Can You Sue for a Car Accident?

While car accident victims can technically sue a negligent party for however much they want; they will need to be able to prove these damages to actually recover them.

Common damages after an auto accident include but are not limited to:

• Medical bills and prescriptions
• Doctor visits
• Hospitalization costs
• Long-term care
• Lost wages, past and future
• Loss of consortium
• Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering
• Punitive damages, for extreme cases of negligence

If the other driver's insurance policy cannot cover all the damages you have incurred, then your own insurance policy may cover the balance through uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage and collision coverage.

Car Accident FAQs

Is it important that I see a doctor after my accident?

Make sure you seek immediate medical treatment after an accident, whether you take an ambulance to the hospital, drive yourself to the hospital, visit a walk-in clinic or urgent care, or make an appointment with your primary care physician. Tell whoever examines you about any pains and injuries you have from the accident. In addition to getting immediate care, it is extremely important to get follow-up care.

Should I speak to the insurance company?

You have a duty to cooperate with your own insurance company after an accident; however, if the other driver's insurance company asks to speak with you or get a statement, you should direct them to your lawyer. Speaking with the other party's insurance company will do nothing but hurt your case since they have no interest in protecting your rights. Their goal is to pay you as little money as possible to protect their bottom line.

How much will it cost to hire a lawyer?

At Karns & Kerrison, we do not charge any legal fees unless we are able to recover compensation on your behalf. You will never get a bill as the case proceeds. We do not take a percentage of the property damage recovery; we only charge a percentage of the rest of the settlement that we get you at the end of your case. This is known as contingency-fee representation, which simply means that there are no fees unless we win your case.

Is there a time limit on filing car accident claims in Rhode Island?

In any civil case, there is a statute of limitations that imposes a time limit on your claim. Rhode Island residents generally have three years to file a lawsuit after they have been hurt in an accident, whether that involves a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle (Rhode Island General Laws § 9-1-14).

For car accident cases involving wrongful death, state residents again have three years to act.

Put 85+ Years of Combined Experience on Your Side

At Karns & Kerrison, we believe that no one should have to suffer due to the negligent or wrongful acts of another. We will, therefore, advocate aggressively for you.

Some of our notable motor vehicle accident case results include:

• $2.1 million for a bicyclist who was struck and killed by a motor vehicle
• $1.55 million for a woman who suffered a head and brain injury in a car crash
• $1.26 million for a nurse who was injured in a rear-end collision

With a track record of over $250 million in client recoveries and more than 85 years of combined experience, we stand ready to fight for you! Find out what it’s like to work with an award-winning trial team that puts you first.

Contact our Rhode Island law firm online to schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation with a car accident lawyer.