According to the law in Rhode Island, if you have been injured by a truck driver, you are entitled to monetary compensation when you file a personal injury lawsuit. The statute of limitations in Rhode Island is three years from the date of an accident so you can file a law suit within this period. If a loved one was fatally injured, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
A truck accident lawyer based in Providence, RI, can help you with your case if you are having trouble filing a lawsuit or recovering damages. Being a truck accident victim can leave you feeling hopeless and overwhelmed given that you have all these hospital bills to pay and you might not be working because of your injuries. You can schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Kevin P Landry truck accident lawyers in Providence.
What are the Obligations of a Truck Driver?
If you are a truck driver, you are obligated to stay at the scene of an accident if you have been involved in an accident. You must also call 911, exchange insurance and personal information with the other driver at the scene and cooperate with law enforcement. Leaving an accident scene is a criminal offence and you might serve a prison term of up to 30 years if the accident was fatal.
Unlike a civil lawsuit, the proceedings in a criminal lawsuit require the government to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you left the scene of an accident and you were responsible for the injuries. In a civil lawsuit, you only need to show that the other driver was responsible for your injuries. This means that even if you lose your criminal case, you can still pursue a civil lawsuit.
What Happens After a Truck Driver Hit and Run Accident?
A hit and run is an accident where a driver flees the scene of an accident he was involved in. If you remain at the scene of the accident, there are certain tasks that you should accomplish.
Immediately after the accident you are supposed to record any information you remember about the other car. You can take a video of the accident scene on your phone and write down or record a voice note of information that you think is important.
Information such as the license plate number of the truck, the driver’s demeanor and any marks on the truck that might indicate which company the truck belongs to. The good news is that trucking companies are required to keep records of their drivers.
Call 911 and make sure you receive medical attention when the medical responders arrive. It’s very important that get a medical exam regardless of how minor you think your injuries are. Sometimes minor injuries progress into very serious injuries over the next few days. Recording your injuries will increase your ability to recover the cost of medical treatment in a lawsuit.
What You Should Do After You Leave the Scene of the Truck Accident
For the next few days or weeks, you might be unable to go to work because of your injuries, you might be recovering or you might need to go into surgery. Whatever the case is, you have bills to pay, kids to take care of (if you have any) and soon, you might start receiving medical bills.
The steps below will help you recover damages you incurred to the negligence of a truck driver:
Talk to a Truck Driver Hit and Run Lawyer
Locating a hit and run driver on your own can be a tedious process and you might not have the resources to do it properly. A truck hit and run attorney can expedite the process for you because most law firms have their own private investigators that can track down a truck driver.
Trying to locate a hit and run driver on your own could take such a long time that you might even miss the statute of limitations while you’re at it.
File Your Insurance Claim
Car insurance companies usually have a time frame within which you are allowed to file a claim after an accident.
Record Your Medical Expenses
Record How Much Work Time You Have Missed
How a Truck Hit and Run Attorney Can Help You
A skilled truck accident attorney can help you receive the justice and compensation that you deserve. If you have any concerns regarding your case, you can speak to any one of our truck accident attorneys located in Providence, RI. We usually offer free initial consultations and you can visit our offices at 717 Allens Ave #102 Providence, RI 02905 or call us at 401-751-0101
