Every year thousands of automobile accidents cause severe personal injuries and/or property damage. By acting promptly and responsibly, you can protect yourself and your family against lost wages and overwhelming medical bills.
If you are involved in an automobile accident:
- obtain the name and address of the other driver,
- obtain his/her drivers license and automobile registration information,
- obtain the name of the driver's insurance company,
- be sure to get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses,
- contact an attorney to help you fill in a Registry of Motor Vehicles report (which must be filed within ten days),
- your attorney will advise you of your duties and rights.
Our office can help you determine the full extent of the benefits to which you are entitled. Some of the benefits include:
Bodily Injury: Every insured automobile in Rhode Island has a minimum coverage of 25/50, which means the insurance company will pay up to $25,000 to each injured person, but no more than $50,000 total for all people involved in each accident. Some policies have much higher limits (some are as high as $300,000). This coverage compensates you for your injuries, wage loss, medical expenses, physical suffering, mental anguish, scars and disfigurements, and is paid only by the insurance company of the person at fault.
Uninsured, or Underinsured Autos: Under Rhode Island law, if you are injured by an auto without insurance, or without enough insurance, or a hit-and-run auto, your own insurance company or that of a member of your household may provide coverage. Minimum benefits are $25,000 per person, and $50,000 per accident from automobiles not involved in the accident. Again, some policies provide greater coverage. This coverage must be equal to your liability coverage.
Other Coverage: Different insurance policies and coverages may apply to different accidents. For instance, medical payment coverage provides addition benefits for medical or funeral expenses for anyone injured in your automobile. Private health plans (like Blue Cross) may cover bills not covered by other medical coverage.