Injured in a Rhode Island Car Accident? Your Quality of Life Doesn't Need to Change. Talk to Our Car Accident Lawyer Today.

If you've been injured in a car accident in Rhode Island, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum has represented car accident victims across Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Newport for more than 90 years, working from our headquarters in Warwick.

How Common Are Car Accidents in Rhode Island?
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Rhode Island?
How Much Compensation Can I Receive for My Rhode Island Car Accident?
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Rhode Island?
What Is Rhode Island's Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims?
How Do I Prove Fault in a Rhode Island Car Accident?
Common Car Accident Injuries We Handle
Why Choose Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum for Your Car Accident Case
Frequently Asked Questions

How Common Are Car Accidents in Rhode Island?

Car accidents remain a serious public safety issue in Rhode Island. According to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Rhode Island recorded an estimated 37 traffic fatalities in 2025, down from 52 in 2024, a decline of roughly 29%. That mirrors a national trend: NHTSA's early estimates put 2025 U.S. traffic deaths at approximately 36,640, a 6.7% drop from 2024 and the lowest national fatality rate per mile driven ever recorded, at 1.10 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

The improvement follows a troubling spike in 2023, when Rhode Island traffic deaths jumped to 70, the state's highest total since 2017. Behind every one of these numbers is a person and a family whose life changed in an instant. For a deeper look at the trends behind these figures, see our full breakdown of Rhode Island car accident statistics and our analysis of why car accidents remain so prevalent in Rhode Island.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Rhode Island?

Ensure safety and call 911. Move to safety if possible and request police and medical response.
Gather evidence. Photograph the vehicles, the accident scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Our guide on documenting car accident evidence covers what to capture and why it matters later.
Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, don't show symptoms right away. See our explanation of delayed injury symptoms after a Rhode Island car accident.
Contact a Rhode Island car accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement to any insurance company, including your own.

If you're unsure what to do in the hours immediately following a crash, our detailed walkthrough of what to do after a car accident in Rhode Island covers each step in more depth.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive for My Rhode Island Car Accident?

Compensation in a Rhode Island car accident claim generally falls into two categories:

Economic damages: medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future medical costs
Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, emotional distress, and permanent impairment

There is no fixed formula or "average settlement" that applies to every case; the value depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the liability evidence, and the available insurance coverage. Our guides on calculating the value of a Rhode Island car accident case and sources of compensation for a Rhode Island car accident explain how these figures are actually built, and our page on how taxes apply to a car accident settlement addresses a question almost every client eventually asks.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Rhode Island?

Distracted driving — widely cited as a leading cause of Rhode Island crashes, particularly cell phone use behind the wheel. See our distracted driving accident page for more.
Speeding and reckless driving
Impaired driving, covered in depth on our drunk driving accident page
Weather-related conditions, including the liability questions that arise in rain and fog
Drowsy driving and driver medical emergencies

What Is Rhode Island's Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims?

Under Rhode Island General Laws § 9-1-14, you generally have three years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a loved one died as a result of the crash, a wrongful death claim must generally be filed within three years of the date of death. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to recover compensation altogether, so don't wait to speak with an attorney even though the deadline feels far away. Full details are available on our page covering the statute of limitations for car crash cases in Rhode Island.

How Do I Prove Fault in a Rhode Island Car Accident?

Rhode Island follows a pure comparative negligence rule under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4. This means you can recover compensation even if you share some fault for the crash, with your award reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Insurance companies frequently dispute fault percentages because it directly affects what they owe, which is why documentation, witness statements, and sometimes accident reconstruction evidence matter so much. If you were partially at fault, see our page on comparative negligence in partial-fault accident claims for how this plays out in practice.

Common Car Accident Injuries We Handle

Traumatic brain injuries: concussions, mild TBI, and severe brain damage

Spinal cord injuries: herniated discs, paralysis, and chronic back and neck pain, including spinal cord injuries with paralysis

Broken bones and fractures: arm, leg, and rib fractures, and complex orthopedic injuries

Soft tissue injuries: whiplash, muscle tears, and chronic pain conditions — see our page on the dangers associated with whiplash

For general recovery guidance, see our overview of staying healthy after a Rhode Island car accident injury and our page on medical care after a Rhode Island car accident.

Why Choose Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum for Your Car Accident Case

Our car accident team, led by Christopher L. Russo, has secured results including a $3,160,983 recovery in a Rhode Island construction zone car accident case and a case in which our client obtained the full insurance policy limit for her car accident injuries. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you, and our deep familiarity with Rhode Island traffic laws, local courts, and insurance company tactics gives our clients a real advantage from the first phone call.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the other driver doesn't have enough insurance to cover my injuries?

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. See our page on a Rhode Island car accident with an underinsured driver for how this coverage works.

Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?

Rarely. Initial offers are typically lower than what a claim is actually worth, and accepting a settlement closes your case permanently, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially expected. Our page on settling your Rhode Island car accident claim explains what to evaluate before accepting anything.

What if I was a passenger, not the driver, when the accident happened?

Passengers injured in a car accident can typically pursue a claim against any at-fault driver involved, including the driver of the vehicle they were riding in. See our page on passengers injured in a Rhode Island car accident for more.

How long does a Rhode Island car accident claim take to resolve?

It depends on the severity of your injuries, whether liability is disputed, and whether the case settles or proceeds to litigation. Cases involving ongoing medical treatment often take longer, since settling before you reach maximum medical improvement can undervalue your claim.

Do I really need a lawyer for a minor car accident?

Even accidents that seem minor can involve injuries that worsen over time or insurance companies that dispute liability. See our answer on why you need a lawyer after a Rhode Island car crash for a fuller explanation, and our page on minor car accidents specifically.

If you've been injured in a car accident anywhere in Rhode Island, contact Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum today for a free consultation. There is no attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Testimonials

I was in a car accident and was referred here by a family member. From the moment I walked in everything was taken care of, I knew everything I needed and what I needed to do. Everything worked out perfectly, I got my settlement and I couldn't be happier that I put my trust in Christopher Russo.

Anonymous

I highly recommend the legal services of attorney Christopher Russo following my car accident case. From our initial consultation to the final settlement, he was professional, compassionate, and knowledgeable. The entire process was clearly explained, and I always felt informed about the status of my case. Attorney Russo and his team at Kirshenbaum & Kirshebaum were responsive to all my questions and diligently worked to negotiate with the insurance companies, ultimately securing a settlement that I am very happy with. Their dedication made a stressful situation much easier to manage. If you are in need of personal injury representation, I encourage you to contact their office.

Antonio R.

Having Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum represent you in any case is equivalent to having half of your family and all of your best friends standing beside you. My car was totaled in an accident, my passenger was injured, and I was overwhelmed with everything. I knew I'd made the right call the moment Pam answered the phone, she sends peaceful vibes through the line! Chris Russo is much more than a competent attorney: his compassionate demeanor is comforting and his focus remains on the client's well-being, setting him aside from the stereotypical lawyer. It's the Kirshenbaum way and is felt throughout the firm! Both he and Jason worked tirelessly to handle everything so I could focus on my own healing, displayed a great deal of patience with my terrible communication skills, and then delivered a settlement that exceeded my expectations. I've met a few of the attorneys in this firm and I can honestly say that I trust them all a million times over to be on my side!

Dawn W.

I reached out to Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum for a consultation after being rear ended at a red light in Rhode Island, which resulted in an injury. After looking around frantically, I ended up being referred to this firm through a family member. My attorney Christopher Russo took care of everything. From proving liability, total loss settlement negotiation, and guiding me through the personal injury aspect and making sure I received all the medical care I needed (going to doctors and PT). Without my attorney through Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum, I don't think I would have been able to get as favorable of an outcome by myself. They truly stand by their word and will do everything in their power to help you. My case took approximately one year to the day to fully settle with varying levels of communication throughout. Without hesitation I recommend Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum for personal injury matters.

Dylan S.

Mr. Christopher Russo exemplifies what it means to be committed to the legal profession and for tirelessly advocating for his clients. He is committed to justice – this indeed is his passion. He is an individual whose life and profession embody key principles – the principles of honesty, excellence, integrity, compassion, and empathy.

C.P.

Christopher and staff were friendly, professional and welcoming - both on the phone and in person