The Most Comprehensive Guide To Rhode Island Hit And Runs
Getting injured in a Rhode Island hit and run accident, can leave you feeling lost and alone. How will you pay for your medical bills, time off work, and vehicle damage when you don’t even know who’s responsible?
As experienced Rhode Island car accident lawyers, the legal experts at Petrarca law can help you understand what to do after a hit-and-run, how to improve your chances of finding the driver, and your options for getting the financial help you need to move on with your life.
What Is A Rhode Island Hit And Run? RI Car Accident Law Explained
A hit and run is a type of car accident where one driver flees the scene, without stopping to provide their identifying info or speak to the police. The accident can be a multi-car collision, a single car hitting a pedestrian, or anything in between.
What Is The Rhode Island Hit And Run Law?
According to Rhode Island law, any driver involved in an accident is required to stop at the scene, or as close to it as possible. If the accident results in injuries or deaths, the driver must also give their identifying information to other people involved.
Hit and runs aren’t always a matter of the other driver never stopping, either. If a driver stops and talks to you but fails to provide their identifying information, this can also be considered a hit and run. The same is true if someone hits your car while it’s parked and fails to leave a note.
Why Do Drivers Hit And Run?
Usually, drivers involved in RI hit and runs are afraid of getting in trouble. So, rather than sticking around and taking responsibility, they decide to make a break for it.
Nationally, hit and runs account for around 15% of all reported car accidents, with about one in four fatal pedestrian crashes involving a driver who flees the scene.
Factors that might contribute to a driver fleeing the scene include:
- Being uninsured or underinsured
- Driving while under the influence
- Not owning the vehicle they’re driving
- Not having a valid driver’s license
Law enforcement takes hit-and-run accidents very seriously, especially when they result in injuries or deaths. Drivers responsible for these kinds of accidents incur some of the steepest penalties and fines under Rhode Island law, including the potential for felony charges.
What To Do After a Rhode Island Hit and Run: Providence RI Guidelines
If you’re a victim of a hit and run, the first moments after the accident are crucial to building your case later on. So, do your best to stay calm and in control by following these steps:
- Stay where you are: stay as close to the accident site as possible outside of the flow of traffic. Never try to chase down the other driver. This is dangerous for you, the people in your car, and everyone in the surrounding area.
- Assess for injuries: Check yourself and any passengers in your vehicle for injuries. Remember that adrenaline and shock can mask pain right after an accident. So, if you feel “off” at all, take that feeling seriously.
- Call the police: When you can, call the police to report the accident. The sooner you call, the faster they can respond and search the surrounding areas for the driver.
- Talk to witnesses: Ask anyone who stopped or was nearby for information about what they saw and their contact information. They might also have dashcam footage of the accident or the driver, or be willing to give a statement to the police.
- Write down details: While the moment is still fresh, write down anything and everything that might help you find the driver. Any information about the car’s make, model, or license plate number, or descriptions of the person behind the wheel, can help police with their investigation.
- Accept medical help: If the first responders want to treat you at the scene or take you to the hospital, let them. Refusing treatment can impact your ability to get an insurance settlement later on, especially in the case of hidden injuries, like whiplash.
How to Get Your RI State Police Accident Report
Most Providence police accident reports can be obtained via the City of Providence’s website. However, accident reports for crashes that are still under investigation cannot be obtained until after the investigation is complete. You can find more information at the Rhode Island State Police official website.
How Long After a Rhode Island Hit And Run Accident Can You Be Charged?
In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations for most criminal acts is around 3 years. In civil court, the same three-year statute of limitations applies to claims of personal injury or wrongful death. Although claims for property damage can be filed up to 10 years after the date of the incident.
If you have been accused of committing a hit and run, call us now for a free consultation. As experienced RI car accident lawyers, we’ve successfully defended the rights of our clients in criminal court before, and we can fight for you and your case.
How Can I Identify the Driver After a Rhode Island Hit And Run?
Start by taking down notes while your memory is still fresh. Try to remember the make and model of the car, what the driver looked like and, most importantly, the car’s license plate number. Even the first two digits can lead to a positive ID, so do your best to remember whatever you can.
If you didn’t manage to get a good look at the license plate number, that’s ok. It’s still possible to track down the car’s owner. Traffic cameras or nearby security cameras may have caught the crash on video, and dash-cams are lifesavers in situations like these.
Try asking any nearby witnesses for information about what they saw or ask if they have a dash-cam. Be sure to take down their names and contact information in case you need them to testify later. Anything can be helpful to your case, so do your best to collect as much information as you can.
What Evidence Helps in A Hit And Run?
Anything that could possibly identify the driver or vehicle could lead to a positive match. Even the first two letters of a license plate can make a difference.
Surveillance or dashcam footage is also incredibly valuable. This is why it’s important to speak to other drivers on the scene, since someone might have caught the accident on video. You can also ask nearby store owners for surveillance footage,
How Long Will The Police Investigate A Hit and Run?
That depends on how severe the accident is. Felony hit and runs that result in severe injuries or deaths will always be high priority, with detectives pursuing the case for months or years. Minor hit and runs with only property damage may get less attention if there are no active leads.
After you get your police report and case number, you can ask for an update by calling the police station and asking for the investigating officer.
How Does Insurance Work in A Hit-and-Run?
In a standard Rhode Island car accident, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance will cover expenses like medical bills and property damage. But when the at-fault driver flees the scene, that can create a few different scenarios for an insurance settlement.
If The Driver is Found
First of all, you can breathe a sigh of relief. For many people, simply knowing that the person who hurt them will face justice is enough.
If it’s still within the statute of limitations, you can file a claim with their insurance company under their liability policy. If their insurance doesn’t cover the full extent of your bills, you can either file a claim with your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) policy or possibly file a civil suit directly against the driver.
This is where you need the help of a Providence car accident lawyer. We’ve won impressive sums for our clients over the years, both inside and outside of courtrooms, and we’ll do our best to help you get the settlement you deserve.
If The Driver Isn’t Found
If you can’t manage to positively ID the driver, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company.
Again, UIM coverage can protect you in scenarios where the driver can’t properly compensate you, including hit and runs. Personal injury protection (PIP) policies could also help you pay for medical expenses, while collision coverage could compensate you for property damage to your car.
But unfortunately, insurance companies aren’t always faithful about fulfilling these policies to their full extent, or might even unfairly deny your claim. That’s why you need an experienced Providence car accident attorney on your side throughout the negotiation process.
What if I can’t identify the driver? Will my insurance cover a hit and run?
If you can’t manage to positively ID the driver, your own insurance will have to cover the damages from the crash. Many insurance companies offer uninsured motorist (UM) policies for scenarios such as these. But unfortunately, insurance companies aren’t always faithful about fulfilling these policies to their full extent. That’s why you need an experienced Providence car accident attorney on your side throughout the negotiation process.
At Petrarca law, we’re experts in hit and run providence RI insurance negotiations. We can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to get the full compensation you deserve. We’ll take care of all the red tape for you and give you the time you need to focus on healing.
Is A Hit And Run Covered with Only Liability Insurance?
Your personal liability insurance will only cover accidents that you cause. If you can’t find the driver and file a claim with their liability insurance, you’ll need to turn to other insurance policies, like UIM PiP, or collision coverage.
When in doubt, contact a Rhode Island insurance lawyer to help review your case and policies and understand the coverage you’re entitled to.
How Petrarca Law Can Help You with Rhode Island Hit and Run Personal Injury Cases
The experienced Rhode Island accident lawyers at Petrarca Law will be there for you after a hit and run. We’ve earned a reputation for fighting aggressively for the rights of our clients, and we don’t back down in the face of adversity. We’ve successfully won large sums for our clients over the years, including successfully settling a class-action lawsuit against the City of Providence on behalf of RI drivers.
As one of the top law firms in Providence RI, you can rest assured we will take care of every one of your needs from beginning to end.
Whether you need us to file a civil suit, negotiate with your insurance company, or simply need legal counsel, we’ll be there for you throughout this stressful time in your life. Contact us today to schedule your free hit and run consultation.
Providence RI, you can rest assured we will take care of every one of your needs from beginning to end.
Whether you need us to file a civil suit, negotiate with your insurance company, or simply need legal counsel, we’ll be there for you throughout this stressful time in your life. We’ll help you get the financial help you desperately need, letting you get your life back on track. Contact us today to schedule your free hit and run consultation.