Rhode Island Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
When a driver gets behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, they’re knowingly endangering the lives of other road users. If you’ve sustained injuries from a drunk driving accident, you can file a lawsuit to hold the responsible party accountable and protect your civil rights. Start by scheduling a free consultation with the award-winning Rhode Island car accident lawyers lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush to learn how you can find justice.
- Updated date:
- September 7, 2023
Rhode Island ranks among the states with the highest percentage of fatalities involving drunk drivers. Alcohol causes slow reaction times and reduced inhibitions leading to reckless decisions. Rhode Island drivers who get behind the wheel while drunk endanger not only their lives but the lives of other road users.
If a drunk driver has injured you in an accident, you can take legal action to hold them accountable for your damages. Marasco & Nesselbush’s Rhode Island car accident lawyers can provide quality legal representation and ensure justice is served by a successful injury claim. Our legal team will stop at nothing to pursue full compensation for you.
Why Hire a Marasco & Nesselbush Attorney After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver
Drunk driving accidents often cause more serious injuries than other types of road accidents because of the impaired driver’s inability to take safety measures. The severe bodily injuries and psychological trauma are likely to last for years. Victims of intoxicated driving accidents must grapple with rising medical bills and other unforeseen expenses from an accident they didn’t cause.
A attorney can help hold intoxicated drivers liable for your injuries.. At Marasco & Nesselbush, we focus on the entire picture by building a solid case strategy that withstands the defense tactics used by insurance companies. We’ll continually advise you about your rights and update you on the progress of your case throughout the process.
When an impaired driver’s negligent actions threaten your future and your loved ones’ well-being, you need an attorney with decades of experience helping injury victims.
The accident lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush have secured numerous drunk driving injury settlements for our clients, including:
- $1.25 million for an adolescent who suffered a traumatic brain injury and other orthopedic injuries after being hit by an intoxicated driver who was negligently served alcohol by a bar
- $975,000 from a drunk driver and a bar owner for a family whose teen sustained injuries in a drunk driving accident
Damages You Can Recover From a Drunk Driver After a Car Accident
The recklessness associated with drunk driving means that the resulting injuries and property damage are likely to be serious. A Rhode Island drunk driving accident lawyer will investigate all aspects of the case to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your damages.
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- Economic damages: These are the quantifiable expenses you’ve incurred from the accident, including current and future medical treatment bills, prescription drug costs, lost wages, property damage, rehabilitation costs, and survivor benefits in wrongful death cases.
- Non-economic damages: These cover the harder-to-quantify losses resulting from the accident, such as pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and the loss of the ability to enjoy life activities.
- Punitive damages: Damages awarded by a judge to punish the defendant are common in drunk driving cases because a majority involve intentional and egregiously negligent actions.
Common Injuries in Accidents with Drunk Drivers
An impaired Rhode island driver will likely drive irresponsibly, speed, weave between lanes, and run red lights. Injuries from drunk driving accidents are likely to be life-altering and often cause fatalities.
Common injury cases our attorneys have handled include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial disfigurement
- Burns
- Skin lacerations
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Herniated discs
Rhode Island’s Liquor Liability Act and Drunk Driving Lawsuits
The Rhode Island Liquor Liability Act places a responsibility on establishments and their staff members when an individual they’ve overserved alcohol to causes an accident. The statute’s dram shop laws allow a drunk driving accident victim to hold a bar responsible for injuries caused by a patron they overserved.
However, you must prove that the bartender knowingly continued to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated customer who later hit you with their car. An establishment can also be held liable for selling alcohol to a person under the age of 21 knowingly or without asking for identification.
An attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to exhaust all avenues of compensation for your damages.
Contact a Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer Today
When a drunk driver causes an accident and leaves you with serious injuries, you need a skilled legal team to help you pursue justice. At Marasco & Nesselbush, our dedicated Rhode Island drunk driving accident lawyers take over the legal burden of seeking compensation for your damages as you focus on recovering. We pledge to represent your case with honesty, integrity, passion, and intelligence.
Our record of successful verdicts and satisfied clients is a testimony to the effectiveness of our work. Contact us by calling (401) 443-2999 or filling out our online email form to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a trusted attorney.
Rhode Island Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer FAQ ​
What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Drunk Driving Accident in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island’s statute of limitations for filing a drunk driving lawsuit is three years from the accident date. Although there are minor exceptions, the court is likely to bar you from initiating any civil action after this period has passed.
Is Rhode Island a No-Fault State For Car Accidents?
No. Rhode Island is an at-fault state for all auto accident cases. This means any person who causes an accident due to intoxicated driving, speeding, disobeying traffic rules, or other negligence is responsible for compensating victims for their damages. The state’s pure comparative negligence laws also allow victims to receive compensation even if they were partly responsible for the accident, regardless of their degree of fault.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Drunk Driving Accident in Rhode Island?
A drunk driving accident settlement can range from a few thousand to millions of dollars, depending on the damages suffered. Experienced drunk driving accident attorneys can evaluate your economic and non-economic damages and calculate the total amount to cover all your losses. An attorney can also identify those who may share responsibility for your injuries, such as other drivers, bartenders, and bar owners.
What Is the Maximum Amount I Can Sue for Rhode Island Drunk Driving Injuries?
Rhode Island does not cap the amount you can seek as compensation for car accident damages. If your damages exceed the responsible party’s car insurance policy limits, you can pursue compensation from their personal assets. If you purchased underinsurance motorist coverage, you can also pursue a claim under your own policy.