RHODE ISLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Rhode Island, you may be suffering from physical injuries, loss of wages, and emotional distress. Car accidents can be very upsetting, and dealing with the repercussions, especially if it was a serious accident, can be quite difficult.

$7,270,000

Jury verdict for a client whose lifelong disabilities were caused by medical negligence.

$6,200,000

Awarded to a client who sustained serious injuries in a rollover crash caused by a distracted driver.

$5,100,000

Recovered for the estate of a woman who passed as a result of surgical negligence.

If you were injured in a collision that was not your fault, you need to seek compensation for your medical costs and loss of ability to work. The Rhode Island car accident lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP are experienced in personal injury law and can assist from our offices in Providence, Warwick, Wakefield and Woonsocket.

COMMON TYPES OF CAR ACCIDENTS IN RHODE ISLAND

The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released its 2020 annual traffic crash data, indicating that 38,824 lives were lost on U.S. roads that year — the highest number of fatalities since 2007.

In Rhode Island alone, 67 lives were lost. Across the nation, there were over 2 million injuries related to car accidents.

The most common types of car accidents include:

Accidents with commercial vehicles
Distracted driving accidents
Drunk driving accidents
Failure to obey traffic controls
Road rage accidents
Speeding accidents
Teen driver accidents
Uninsured motorist accidents
Head-on collisions
Rear-end collisions
Rollover accidents
Sideswipe crashes
T-bone accidents

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact a Rhode Island car accident lawyer at Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP.

WHAT INJURIES CAN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF A CAR ACCIDENT?

All kinds of injuries can result from a car accident. Some may be relatively minor, but if a crash was particularly serious, more severe injuries — or even death — may occur.

Some of the more common injuries experienced after a moderate to severe car crash include traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and whiplash, among others.

DO I HAVE A CASE?

If you think you may have a personal injury case, contact us now for a FREE consultation

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is a common and serious car accident injury. Similar to whiplash, TBIs are caused by a collision that violently shakes the brain against the skull. They can be mild, moderate, or severe and may result in a few hours of disorientation to lifelong disabilities. Common TBI symptoms include:

Headache
Confusion
Dizziness
Blurred or double vision
Nausea and vomiting
Memory loss

TBIs are not always easy to diagnose immediately. After a car accident occurs, it’s important to seek medical attention right away so that a physician can check you for injuries.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries may be caused by a severe car accident. These types of injuries can be caused by a collision that forces the organs to shift or twist in the body. An internal injury can result in a ruptured organ, bleeding, and bruising of the tissue. Internal injuries can cause victims to experience:

Abdominal pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Weakness

These types of injuries may not be apparent immediately, so it is important for all car accident victims to seek medical attention.

Back, Spinal Cord & Neck Injuries

Back, spinal cord, and neck injuries are very common following a car accident. These types of wounds can result in paralysis, numbness, or extreme pain and discomfort.

Back injuries can cause pain that radiates through the lower body and may include numbness in the legs. Spinal cord injuries may result in permanent disability and can be debilitating for life.

Broken Bones

It is common for those not wearing a seat belt to experience broken bones. These may include fractures to the arms, legs, feet, or hips. They can be very painful and require treatment over a period of time. In some cases, broken bones require surgery.

Facial Injuries or Lacerations

In cases where a car crash victim isn’t wearing a seat belt, the impact of a car collision can result in a fractured jaw, lost teeth, or another type of facial injury. Cuts may also result from flying debris or broken glass. These types of injuries may require surgery or stitches to heal.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that can result from a sudden jolt or quick movement of the head. Whiplash injuries are common in rear-end collisions and are often caused by the seat belt, which restrains the person’s body from moving forward but can’t protect the head from sudden impact.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?

The time immediately following a car crash can be stressful and scary. However, there are a number of steps you should take if you are able to.

Find Out if Anyone Was Injured

The first thing to do after a car accident is to check yourself, any passengers, and other individuals involved in the wreck for injuries. If anyone was seriously hurt, call an ambulance for medical assistance. While waiting, administer first aid if possible.

Call the Police to the Scene of the Accident

Next, call the police to let them know an accident has occurred. They will send an officer to the scene to investigate the cause of the crash, issue any tickets, and create a report. You’ll need a copy of the police report if you choose to seek legal counsel.

Exchange Information with Other Drivers Involved in the Wreck

Make sure to exchange personal information, including names and phone numbers, of individuals involved in the collision. Request insurance information from them. But do not discuss the cause of the accident or admit fault. Doing so can cause you legal issues in the future, and you may not be in the state of mind to fully understand the reason the accident occurred.

Document Everything You Can

Take pictures of the cars involved in the accident and any damage that occurred as a result. If you or a passenger was injured in the collision, take pictures of your injuries. Such documentation will be valuable if you decide to make a legal claim later.

Contact a Rhode Island Car Accident Injury Lawyer

If your accident resulted in a serious injury, you will need legal assistance to receive compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and any emotional distress you incur as a result of the accident. A car accident lawyer at Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP can assist you with your legal claim in Rhode Island. We are well-versed in personal injury law.

WHAT TYPES OF COMPENSATION COULD
I RECOVER AFTER MY CAR ACCIDENT?

There are a number of factors that determine the compensation you may be entitled to after a car accident. These include the severity of your injuries, whether you’ve lost the ability to work, and how your quality of life has changed.

Damages from a car accident may include medical bills and pain and suffering, depending on the nature of your injuries.

Medical Expenses
Any medical bills that you’ve incurred as a result of your accident may be recoverable. You may also be entitled to compensation for future medical costs that will be required for your complete recovery. Keep track of your medical bills, and ask your doctor about the likelihood that you will need long-term treatment.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
If you’ve had to take time off from work as a result of your accident, you may receive compensation for your lost wages. Lost wages may be reimbursed even if you used vacation or sick leave. If you are unable to work at all as a result of your injuries, you may also file a claim for compensation for lost earning capacity.
Other Types of Compensation
Additional types of compensation may include hiring people to help with housework, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other types of damages. Try to quantify these if possible. You may also document the effects of your injuries and the impact that they have had on your life.

Medical Expenses

Any medical bills that you’ve incurred as a result of your accident may be recoverable. You may also be entitled to compensation for future medical costs that will be required for your complete recovery. Keep track of your medical bills, and ask your doctor about the likelihood that you will need long-term treatment.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

If you’ve had to take time off from work as a result of your accident, you may receive compensation for your lost wages. Lost wages may be reimbursed even if you used vacation or sick leave. If you are unable to work at all as a result of your injuries, you may also file a claim for compensation for lost earning capacity.

Other Types of Compensation

Additional types of compensation may include hiring people to help with housework, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other types of damages. Try to quantify these if possible. You may also document the effects of your injuries and the impact that they have had on your life.

WHO COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR MY INJURIES?

In Rhode Island, the party or parties who were at fault are required to compensate accident victims for their losses. The negligence of non-drivers may have also played a role. For example, if a car part was found to have malfunctioned during the wreck, it’s possible that the manufacturer could be held partially responsible.

In some cases, an independent investigation must be conducted to determine which parties may be held responsible for the accident. RI car accident lawyers Marasco & Nesselbush frequently work with investigators, accident reconstructionists, and other experts to fully understand how the crash unfolded.

WHAT IF I WAS PARTIALLY AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT?

Rhode Island follows the pure comparative fault rule. This means that you can still receive compensation for your injuries, even if you were partially at fault. If you were partially negligent for the accident, you’ll be able to recover damages up to the percentage that you are found to have contributed to the accident.

For example, if you were 25% at fault, you’ll be able to recover 75% of the monetary damages you suffered as a result of the collision. Contact a RI car accident lawyer at Marasco & Nesselbush for further assistance.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A
CLAIM IN RHODE ISLAND?

The statute of limitations in Rhode Island limits the amount of time you have to file a claim after an accident has occurred. Currently, the law requires claims to be filed within three years of the date of the accident.

However, while you may have some time, it’s best to file as quickly as possible. The memories you have of the accident will tend to dissipate as the months go by. In addition, a Rhode Island car accident injury lawyer is likely to need time to review your case, discuss it with any experts, and reconstruct it for a legal audience.

WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR REPRESENTATION?

Rhode Island car accident lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush do not charge fees for your initial consultation and claim review. If we agree to take on your case, there are no upfront fees. Instead, a contingency fee will be charged. This is a percentage of the compensation you receive.

CONTACT OUR RHODE ISLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS TODAY

I’ve you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait. Marasco & Nesselbush injury attorneys take pride in navigating the entire legal process with you. While you may be focused on physical injuries and regaining your health, we will work to get you the compensation you deserve.