Rhode Island is a pretty unique state, from its origin story to the state’s driving laws. If you’re ever driving through Rhode Island, you have to know and keep its laws in mind so that you have the best chance of preventing accidents.
Unfortunately, not all drivers are going to be so cautious, and the drivers who disobey Rhode Island’s driving laws may cause an accident.
If you’re injured in this type of accident, contact a personal injury lawyer. That lawyer will be able to help you determine whether the other driver’s disregard for Rhode Island’s driving laws could help you file a successful personal injury claim.
Specific Rules in Rhode Island
It’s important to know all of Rhode Island’s driving laws; these are just a few of the ones you should learn.
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Seat belts: Every person in a car has to be wearing a seatbelt. Children under the age of eight have to be in an age-appropriate child passenger safety system, such as a booster seat or car seat.
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Drunk driving: Drivers in Rhode Island can end up with a driving under the influence charge if they are driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more.People who are convicted of driving under the influence in Rhode Island have to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in their car.
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Open container laws: Open containers of alcohol aren’t allowed to be in the passenger area of a car in Rhode Island. This doesn’t apply to a vehicle such as a party bus, limousine, or vehicle that is used to transport other people.
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Distracted driving: Rhode Island, like many states, has distracted driving laws on the books. Distracted driving is any activity that will take a driver’s attention off the road, and texting while driving is a common form of it. No driver in Rhode Island is allowed to text or operate a handheld device while driving.
Distracted Driving and Your Rhode Island Auto Accident
She thought she would be able to safely text while driving, and she was wrong. She ends up hitting your car, and your arm and leg are fractured. This is a severe injury that will require a lot of recovery time.
Rhode Island is a fault (or tort) state, which gives you the chance to file a personal injury claim for your accident. In order to have a successful claim, you have to prove that the other driver was liable for your accident.
This can be difficult to do while recovering, which is why it is useful to hire a personal injury attorney to handle your case.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
The process of filing a claim can be confusing and exhausting even under the best circumstances. But doing it while recovering from an injury is a recipe for stress.
Talk to an attorney to discuss your options, and consider hiring one to handle your case. It’ll improve your chances of winning your claim, and more importantly, you’ll have the time and resources you need to recover from your injury.