The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a car crash can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to recover from your injuries. You do not have to navigate this process alone. When you work with a dedicated car accident lawyer at Inman & Tourgee in Coventry, Rhode Island, we can do the heavy lifting for you.
A local personal injury attorney in Coventry, RI, understands the specific challenges of Rhode Island personal injury law. They know how local insurance adjusters operate and will fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve. Whether you were involved in a minor rear-end collision or a severe multi-vehicle crash, having a trusted attorney by your side allows you to focus on healing while your legal rights are protected.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Coventry
The moments immediately following a car accident are often chaotic and confusing. The actions you take at the accident scene and in the days that follow can significantly impact both your physical health and your car accident settlement in Rhode Island.
If you are involved in an accident in Coventry, try to follow these steps to protect yourself and your potential legal claim:
Prioritize Safety First
Move your vehicle to the side of the road if it is safe to do so. Turn on your hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
Call the Police
Contact the police immediately. When an officer arrives on the scene, they will write an accident report. This is a crucial piece to your investigation. It provides an objective third-party account of the crash. After a car accident, an insurance adjuster will review this report when determining damages and settlement amounts.
Document the Scene
If you are physically able, use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene. Capture the damage to all vehicles involved, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and the position of the cars. This will be important down the road and will help your car accident lawyer in Coventry, RI, make their case. At Inman & Tourgee, we have the expertise you can rely on in these situations.
Exchange Information
Be sure to get the names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information of all other drivers involved in the crash. If there are any witnesses nearby, ask for their names and phone numbers as well. Their eye witness accounts may be able to help your case.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine or believe your injuries are minor, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many times, adrenaline can mask pain, and internal injuries may not show symptoms until days later. Seeking medical attention ensures your injuries are properly documented. It also establishes a direct link between the crash and your medical condition.
Don’t Admit Fault
Admitting fault is one of the worst things you can do. These statements can act as an admission of liability and be used against you by an insurance adjuster after a car accident.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in RI
Car accidents in Rhode Island happen for a variety of reasons, ranging from driver error to unpredictable New England weather.
Understanding the common causes of these accidents can help identify who is legally responsible for your damages:
- Distracted Driving: With the rise of smartphones, distracted driving has become a leading cause of traffic accidents. Texting, checking social media, using navigation systems, or even eating behind the wheel takes a driver’s attention off the road. This can lead to devastating rear-end or crossover collisions.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: Drivers who exceed posted speed limits or travel too fast for road conditions have less time to react to sudden hazards. Speeding reduces a driver’s control over their vehicle and significantly increases the force of an impact, leading to more severe injuries.
- Driving Under the Influence: Despite strict laws and public safety campaigns, drunk and drugged driving remains a major problem on the roads. Impaired drivers have slowed reaction times, poor judgment, and poor motor skills, making them incredibly dangerous to everyone around them.
- Failure to Yield: Many accidents occur at busy Coventry intersections when drivers run red lights, roll through stop signs, or fail to yield the right-of-way when turning.
- Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, weaving through lanes without signaling, and road rage are aggressive behaviors that frequently trigger multi-car accidents. This can be a leading factor, particularly during hectic morning and evening commutes.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Crash
Rhode Island operates under an “at-fault” insurance system. This means the driver who caused the accident is legally responsible for paying for the resulting damages, including medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and pain and suffering. Typically, you will file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.
Dealing with insurance adjusters can be one of the most frustrating parts of the process. This is one of the reasons why having a car accident lawyer in Coventry, RI, is key. They will handle all communication with the insurance company for you.
An adjuster may call you shortly after the crash, acting friendly and offering a quick settlement. While this offer may seem tempting when medical bills are piling up, it is almost always far less than what your claim is actually worth. Accepting an early settlement usually requires you to sign a release waiving your right to pursue further compensation. This means if your injuries worsen or require surgery down the road, you will have to pay for those medical costs out of pocket.
Rhode Island follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under this law, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, but your final financial recovery will be reduced by your percentage of blame. For example, if your total damages are $100,000, but a court determines you were 20% responsible for the crash, your compensation will be reduced to $80,000. Insurance adjusters frequently use this rule to shift blame onto victims to lower their payout.
At Inman & Tourgee, our team can protect you from these tactics. We are here to work for you and to protect your best interests.
How Long Car Accident Claims Take in RI
There is no single timeline for a car accident claim because every accident is unique. Some straightforward claims can be resolved within months. More complex cases involving severe, life-altering injuries can take a year or longer to resolve.
Several key factors influence how long your car accident claim will take:
Medical Treatment and Recovery
Your attorney will generally advise waiting to settle your claim until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement. This is the point at which your injuries have fully healed as much as they are expected to. Settling before you reach this point is risky. It is impossible to accurately calculate the total cost of your medical treatment and long-term care beforehand.
The Investigation Process
Gathering evidence, reviewing medical records, analyzing the police report, and interviewing witnesses takes time. If liability is contested, your legal team may also consult accident reconstruction experts to build a bulletproof case.
Negotiations
The negotiation phase begins once your lawyer sends a formal demand letter to the insurance company. If the insurer acts in good faith and offers a fair settlement, the case can wrap up relatively quickly. If they refuse to offer a reasonable payout, your attorney may need to file a formal lawsuit.
Going to Trial
If your case goes to court, schedules, the discovery process, and depositions, all play into how long your case will take.
Fortunately, the vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court before a trial ever begins.
You should also keep Rhode Island’s statute of limitations in mind. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to seek compensation through the court system. Starting the process early gives your attorney plenty of time to investigate and build a strong case.
FAQ
What does a car accident lawyer actually do?
A car accident lawyer can take care of several tasks for you such as gathering evidence, handling phone calls, and adding up your losses. They can also represent you in court if your case goes to trial.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
Avoid talking to the other driver’s insurance company and giving a statement. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, and their primary goal is to minimize payouts. Saying your injuries are not that serious or making other statements can hurt your case.
Will my case have to go to court?
The vast majority of cases do not go to court. They are settled with the insurance company. A case typically only goes to trial if the insurance company denies fault entirely or refuses to offer a realistic settlement amount.
Talk to a Coventry Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle collision, speaking with a skilled Coventry car accident lawyer is the most effective way to protect your future. Contact Inman & Tourgee today to schedule your consultation.