Rhode Island hit and run accident lawyer
Any individual involved in a moving vehicle accident is required under Rhode Island law law to stop immediately in a safe location and provide all necessary contact information. Fleeing the scene of the accident in RI is considered a crime where the motorist can be charged with a hit-and-run accident.
Rhode Island hit and run accident lawyer
The requirement to stop extends to any individual involved in the event, even those who are not at fault for the accident. If only property damage is involved, the driver is still required to stop and leave their name, address and other contact information. Depending on the type of accident, a hit-and-run can be considered a misdemeanor or felony crime. Typically, if any individual suffers injuries or is killed during the accident, the driver fleeing the scene is likely committing a felony. If only property damages involved, fleeing the accident without stopping might be misdemeanor offense.
Why Drivers Flee the Scene of a wreck
The reasons why some motorists flee the accident scene vary greatly. Often times, when the driver is apprehended after the accident, they often express some remorse for their behavior but rarely have a justifiable reason for fleeing the scene with injured victims without calling for medical assistance.
In many incidences, the hit-and-run driver will indicate they left the scene of the accident out of fear of punishment by law enforcement. Other times, fleeing motorists will leave the scene because they were driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs during the accident. Additionally, not having proper insurance and registration on the vehicle are other factors that often cause hit-and-run drivers to flee the scene.
Taking Civil Action in Providence Superior Court
While the hit-and-run motorist might be guilty of a misdemeanor or felony criminal charge, they can also face civil action by the victim or surviving family members of a deceased victim. Even if the fleeing driver was never apprehended, the crash victim might still be entitled to receive financial compensation for their damages, losses and injuries incurred during the accident if the motorist has uninsured motorist protection. The victim can receive uninsured motorist compensation from their own insurance carrier even if the fleeing driver is uninsured or under-insured to adequately cover the financial expenses of the victim.
A skilled RI uninsured motorist car accident attorney can seek financial compensation on behalf of the victim from a variety of sources including the driver, the victim’s insurance policy and additional third parties, which could include a bar or restaurant establishment. If the RI personal injury attorney can prove that the fleeing motorist was served an excessive amount of alcohol from a bar or restaurant just before the accident, the law firm may be able to establish third party liability under the state’s dram shop laws.
Hiring a Providence auto accident attorney
An experienced Ocean State law firm that specializes in hit and run accidents can build a solid claim for financial compensation. They typically have access to an impressive array of valuable resources to assist in proving the case that include:
• Accident Investigators – Typically, the law firm will hire professional investigators to explore details of the accident. Their efforts help determine the identity of the driver at fault and establish what caused the collision.
• Accident Reconstructionist – Using forensic science, experts can reconstruct the accident to help prove the case in front of a judge and jury.
• Experienced Lawyers – Attorneys at the law firm skilled in personal injury claims can take an aggressive approach to settle the case out of court.
If you, or a loved one, are a victim of a hit and run accident, you likely have a valid claim to seek full and complete compensation for your injuries. Experienced RI personal injury attorneys who specialize in vehicle accidents will usually accept your case on contingency, meaning you will not be required to pay any upfront fees.
Sadly many hit and run accidents are fatal / deadly necessitating the estate of the deceased motorist to retain a RI wrongful death lawyer.