Looking for a premier Rhode Island personal injury lawyer? Call RP Legal Group today.
Rhode Island may be small, but it’s a hotbed for many fatal car accidents. In October 2023, the state reported 61 traffic deaths, far more than the 39 reported for the same time frame of the prior year.
If you’ve had a car accident or any other kind of accident in Rhode Island, let RP Legal Group guide you in pursuing fair compensation. We serve clients in Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and other RI cities. Call us at (888) 340-7454 for a free consultation.
Read some of our client reviews, then contact us to discuss your case.
What To Know About Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Rhode Island
It pays to be informed for the strongest possible chance of winning your case. Learn about Rhode Island comparative negligence, filing deadlines, and damages caps below.
Rhode Island Filing Deadlines
Rhode Island generally gives you three years from the date of injury or death to file a claim (Title 9, Chapter 1, § 9-1-14). The statute of limitations applies to:
- Car accidents
- Product and premises liability
- Assault and battery
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Suits against the government
If your claim involves medical malpractice, some exceptions can extend the filing deadline, such as the following:
- Discovery rule: If you don’t immediately know that you’re injured, the statute of limitations starts when you discover or should have discovered the injury.
- Mental incompetence: You have three years after being no longer declared mentally incompetent to file a claim.
- Injured minors: Injured minors have until their 21st birthday to file a claim.
Damages Caps in Rhode Island
Unlike many states, Rhode Island doesn’t usually cap personal injury damages, including economic, non-economic, or punitive.
The only exception is for claims against the government. Damages for governmental suits are capped at $100,000.
Rhode Island Negligence Rules
Many other states only allow recovery if you’re less than 50% at fault, but Rhode Island isn’t one of them. Here, you may recover damages even if you’re 99% at fault. The court reduces your compensation by your determined degree of fault.
For example, suppose you crash into another driver because you were talking on the phone. However, the other driver rolled through a stop sign without fully stopping. A court decides that you’re 80% at fault, meaning you could recover 20% of your total damages.
How To File Your Claim in Rhode Island
It’s wise to have a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association assist with filing a claim. By hiring an attorney, you won’t miss filing deadlines or make mistakes that could harm your case.
If you wish to file your own claim, you must do so with either the superior or district court serving your county. The district court handles claims worth less than $10,000. Superior courts handle claims with damages exceeding that amount. Find the court serving your county here.
The superior court filing fee is $160. For district courts, the filing fee is $80. Along with the fee, you must submit a complaint that includes:
- Names of all parties involved in the case
- Information about your injuries and when, where, and how they occurred
- Why you believe the defendant is responsible
- The remedy you want
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Rhode Island, call 888-340-7454
Cases We Handle
Here are just a few of the types of cases we take in Rhode Island.
- Auto accidents: Have you been hit by a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle? We can help. Our firm also accepts rideshare (Uber/Lyft) cases.
- Dog bites: In Rhode Island, dog owners are strictly liable for bite injuries, even if the dog hasn’t bitten anyone before.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: We accept cases involving falls on public and private property.
- Construction accidents: Injured at work? You may be able to step outside the workers’ compensation system with a third-party claim.
- Medical malpractice: We help with cases involving surgical errors, misdiagnoses/delayed diagnoses, medication mistakes, and birth injuries.
Learn more about our experienced legal team, then call us for a free consultation.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 888-340-7454
Why Choose Us?
Here’s why we’re Rhode Island’s premier personal injury law firm:
- Our attorneys are deeply familiar with RI laws and can explain them to you with zero confusing legalese.
- We will gather convincing evidence and testimony from witnesses, including medical professionals and accident reconstructionists.
- We’ll deal with stressful insurance negotiations so you can rest and focus on recovering from your injuries.
- We’ll discuss all your legal options, including arbitration, mediation, and trial.
- We’re available to discuss your case 24/7, including weekends, nights, and holidays.
- You pay us nothing unless we win your case for you.
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Contact a Rhode Island Personal Injury Accident Lawyer Now
When you’ve been hurt, you want legal representation you can count on. That’s why RP Legal Group should be your top choice.
For a free consultation with an RI personal injury lawyer who can tell you more about your rights and walk you through the process of seeking restitution, call RP Legal Group at (888) 340-7454.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions about personal injury in Rhode Island.
Can I Have Court Filing Fees Waived in Rhode Island?
It’s possible to waive court filing fees in Rhode Island if paying them would cause you financial hardship. To request a fee waiver, you must submit an Application to Proceed in Forma Pauperis with your complaint.
How Long Do You Have To Sue a Rhode Island City?
You have three years to sue a Rhode Island city, but you must file a notice of claim before you can do that. The city has 40 days to respond to your claim. You may file a lawsuit if it denies your claim or doesn’t respond in time.
How Long Does It Take To Settle a Slip-and-Fall Claim in Rhode Island?
Settling a slip-and-fall claim in Rhode Island can take several months to a year. You’ll have to contact a Rhode Island personal injury lawyer to learn when your case might settle.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving your area, call 888-340-7454