RHODE ISLAND TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

As the number of commercial trucks on the road in Rhode Island increases, so does the likelihood of an accident. If you’ve been in a truck accident, contacting a lawyer may be necessary to protect your rights.

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Commercial trucks are among the largest vehicles on the road, which means that accidents involving trucks can be catastrophic. While the number of serious car accident injuries is steadily decreasing in Rhode Island, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration, 74 vehicles were involved in fatal accidents in 2019. Large trucks accounted for 5.4% of those vehicles.

After a crash involving a commercial truckin g vehicle, you may suffer life-altering injuries that make it impossible to work. You need a lawyer ready to represent you so you can focus on recovering.

When searching for a Rhode Island truck accident lawyer, you should consider the law firm’s areas of focus, years of experience, and success record. The personal injury lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush can help if you’ve been injured in an accident involving a commercial trucking vehicle. Depending on the nature of your crash, you may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

MARASCO & NESSELBUSH'S CASE RESULTS

When you hire a truck accident lawyer in Rhode Island, choosing a legal team knowledgeable in personal injury law is essential. Marasco & Nesselbush has experience in truck accident cases and will help you recover the compensation you deserve. To demonstrate the commitment of Marasco & Nesselbush’s legal team, here are some recent case results:

AWARDED
$1 million
to a family in a wrongful death truck accident case

AWARDED
$1.05 million
to a family in a wrongful death commercial trucking accident

Marasco & Nesselbush has a long track record of success representing truck accident victims.

DO I HAVE A CASE?

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

Free Case Review

Contact Marasco & Nesselbush today for a free review of your truck accident case.

I love this law firm! My lawyer was compassionate, kind and understanding during a very difficult time. I love this law firm! My lawyer was compassionate, kind and understanding during a very difficult time.

Susan B.

SHOULD I HIRE A TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER IN RHODE ISLAND?

Accidents involving commercial trucks are complicated because several parties may be liable. Based on the circumstances, one or all of the following parties can share responsibility:

Drivers

Trucking companies

Vehicle manufacturers

Maintenance technicians

Drunk drivers may hold full or partial responsibility for a crash if they break a state or federal regulation. The truck’s manufacturer may share responsibility if it produces a defective vehicle. A trucking firm may be liable if it did not perform adequate vehicle inspections or hired unqualified drivers.

Drivers of passenger vehicles may also be responsible for trucking accidents.

Rhode Island is a pure comparative fault state. In such areas, claimants can receive financial compensation even if they are partly or primarily responsible for the crash.

Hiring a Rhode Island truck accident lawyer is vital to establishing which party is responsible. Depending on the nature of your case, a lawyer may be able to help you with the following:

Communicate with the trucking company’s insurance provider
Obtain and present evidence to establish accident responsibility
Work with doctors to get the proper treatment documentation
Organize medical bills and health records
File a personal injury claim with your local court
Negotiate with lien holders regarding your claim
Negotiate an appropriate settlement with the insurance company or defense lawyer

One of the main benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer after a trucking accident is to help you understand your rights. Failure to do so can lead to loss of deserved compensation.

Lastly, truck accident lawyers are helpful in both interstate and intrastate (confined to one state only) cases because these experienced professionals understand the specific risks of local roads, bridges, and weather conditions. Having an attorney who understands the dynamics of the local environment is a critical element in effectively negotiating with the insurance company and the courts.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE MY CASE?

Under a legal regulation called the statute of limitations, you must file any personal injury lawsuit within a specific time frame. The statute of limitations is intended to ensure that all evidence is as reliable as possible.

Generally, you must file a personal injury lawsuit in Rhode Island within three years of the accident date. However, some injuries manifest slowly over time, and victims may not recognize them immediately after the incident. In some instances, the statute of limitations does not start until the victim becomes aware of the injury. This regulation is the discovery of harm rule.

CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN RHODE ISLAND

Commercial trucks present specific dangers to smaller vehicles and their passengers. Truck drivers must use extra caution to operate their large vehicles safely. Likewise, other drivers need to be aware of the dangers posed by trucks. Commercial vehicles of all types are involved in collisions.

TYPES OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

For the most part, commercial truck drivers are cautious and patient on the road. However, in addition to the dangers inherent in the weight and size of commercial trucks, several factors often contribute to accidents. These include:

Driver fatigue

Driving too fast

Distracted Driving

Inadequate surveillance

Brake issues

Improper lane changes

Issues with the flow of traffic

Unfamiliarity with road conditions

Driver or alcohol substance use

Inclement weather conditions

A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found driver error causes 87% of truck accidents. Fatigue is a significant factor in crashes primarily caused by human error. The FMCSA sets limits on the maximum number of hours truckers can legally operate their vehicles without rest to prevent driver fatigue.

Providence is the city where many of the state’s car accidents occur. While crashes can take place on any street, some intersections are more dangerous than others. Memorial Boulevard near Providence Place Mall and Interstate 95 near exits 24 and 18 frequently see many collisions.

The busy downtown city streets of Washington, Westminster, and Weybosset are also considered dangerous for car crashes.

RHODE ISLAND LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL TRUCKS

Large trucks and other commercial vehicles share the road with numerous smaller passenger vehicles every day. To ensure public safety, trucking companies and drivers must follow a complicated set of rules and regulations. Both state and federal agencies oversee the Rhode Island trucking industry.

Rules for intrastate trucking activity are set by Rhode Island’s Office of Highway Safety and the Department of Transportation. Commercial vehicles operating on interstate roads must follow regulations set by the FMCSA and the U.S. Department of Transportation. In general, truckers must adhere to the following rules while driving on intrastate or interstate roads in Rhode Island:

Drivers must possess a valid commercial driver’s license.
Drivers can be on-duty for 14 consecutive hours, with a limit of 11 hours driving time within those 14 hours. This rule is the hours-of-service regulation.
Truckers must keep driving logs proving they have not violated the hours-of-service regulation.
It is illegal to operate a commercial trucking vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.04%.
Drivers must regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure that equipment is in good working order.

Besides state and federal regulations, some trucking companies set their own rules for drivers. It is essential for commercial truckers to fully understand and comply with all company, state, and federal regulations.

WORK WITH MARASCO & NESSELBUSH'S LEGAL TEAM

Are you looking for a truck accident lawyer in Rhode Island? Marasco & Nesselbush works with personal injury claimants seeking compensation. Contact Marasco & Nesselbush today to set up a no-obligation appointment.

Heather P.

Client Reviews

I've felt comfortable and have built trust with them. They work hard and it shows. I am super thankful to have worked with them.

Amanda C.

I love this law firm! My lawyer was compassionate, kind and understanding during a very difficult time.

Susan B.