Rhode Island Truck Accident Lawyer

Often several parties share responsibility. Along with the driver, we look at the motor carrier that employed and dispatched them, the broker who arranged the load, the shipper responsible for loading and securing cargo, the contractor responsible for maintenance, and the manufacturer of any component that failed. Each may carry separate insurance, which matters when injuries are catastrophic and one policy is not enough.

The police officer’s opinion on fault is not the final determination in a civil claim. We conduct our own independent investigation, often using accident reconstruction experts, to challenge the report’s conclusion and prove the other driver’s true negligence.

Rhode Island uses a pure comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were found to be 90% at fault, though your total award would be reduced by that percentage. Our goal is to prove the other driver was 100% at fault to maximize your recovery.

We pursue evidence of distracted driving (like cell phone records) to prove negligence. Distracted driving is a significant breach of the duty of care and often leads to higher compensation awards because it demonstrates a blatant disregard for safety.

If your accident was caused by a poorly maintained public road (potholes, obscured signage, etc.), your claim would be filed against the appropriate government entity (city, town, or state). This is subject to the extremely short 60-day notice requirement, so you must act immediately.

Quickly. A modern tractor is a rolling data recorder: the engine control module captures speed and braking in the seconds before impact, and electronic logging devices track hours of service. Carriers are only required to retain some of these records for limited periods, and routine use can overwrite them. The sooner we send a preservation letter, the more likely that evidence still exists when your case needs it.

Yes. We work with medical and financial experts to calculate the total cost of your lifetime care, including future surgeries, chronic pain management, and long-term rehabilitation. This is a crucial component of any catastrophic injury settlement.

The statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the accident. Do not delay, as evidence (especially surveillance video and witness memory) fades quickly. Contacting an attorney immediately protects your right to file suit.