Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Accident Rules & Laws

Insurance System & Requirements

System type: Rhode Island operates under an at-fault insurance system, meaning the driver responsible for causing an accident is liable for covering damages to others. Usually, the at-fault party (or their insurance) must pay for medical expenses and property damages resulting from an accident.

Minimum liability required: Rhode Island drivers are legally required to carry liability insurance to cover damages in the event of an accident. The minimum coverage limits are as follows:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person per accident
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people per accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident
• Drivers can also choose a combined single limit of $75,000, covering any combination of injuries and property damage in one accident

Rhode Island offers a self-insurance option for individuals or businesses with 25 or more vehicles. To qualify, they must obtain a Certificate of Self-Insurance from the Department of Business Regulation. 

Optional coverages: While the minimum coverage satisfies legal requirements, additional optional coverages can provide greater financial security. These include:

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:
  • Protects against drivers with no insurance or insufficient coverage
  • Rhode Island law requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage in amounts equal to the liability limits unless explicitly rejected in writing
• Collision coverage: Pays for vehicle repairs or replacement regardless of fault
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers non-collision events like theft, vandalism, or weather-related damage
• Medical Payments (MedPay): Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of fault
• Rental reimbursement: Pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident

Rideshare insurance requirements: Drivers for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft must meet specific insurance requirements that vary based on their activities:

• Logged into the app but not providing a ride: 
  • $50,000 for death or bodily injury per person
  • $100,000 for death or bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage
• Providing a prearranged ride: $1,500,000 for death, bodily injury, and property damage

Penalties for non-compliance: Driving without the required insurance in Rhode Island comes with serious consequences:

• First offense: License and registration suspension for up to three months and a $100–$500 fine
• Second offense: License and registration suspension for six months and a fine of $500
• Third or subsequent offenses: Your license and registration will be suspended for up to one year, and you will be fined $1,000

These penalties are in addition to the financial burden you may face if you cause an accident without insurance. Reinstating your license and registration often requires proof of insurance and payment of the reinstatement fee of $152.50.

Fault & Negligence Laws

Pure comparative negligence

Rhode Island allows you to recover damages even if you are partially at fault. The percentage of your fault will reduce your compensation. For example, if you’re 30% at fault for an accident and your damages total $10,000, you can still recover $7,000. You're still eligible for partial recovery even if you’re mostly at fault (e.g., 90%).

There’s no setoff of damages between parties, meaning each party’s liability is calculated separately.

Multi-vehicle collisions

In multi-vehicle accidents, the fault is divided proportionally among all involved parties. Each driver’s percentage of fault determines how much they owe or can recover. For example, if three drivers are involved and one is 50% at fault, they’re responsible for half of the total damages. Victims can seek recovery from any at-fault party, and insurers or courts will apportion liability.

Passenger rights

Passengers are rarely at fault in car accidents unless it is proven that they breached their duty of care. Even in such cases, Rhode Island’s pure comparative negligence rule applies, meaning their compensation will be diminished in proportion to their degree of fault. Passengers retain the right to seek damages from any at-fault driver, whether it’s the driver of their vehicle or another party involved in the accident.

Statute of Limitations

Personal injury: You have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. 

Wrongful death: If the accident results in death, the claim must be filed within three years of the individual's death.

Property damage: Claims for property damage must be filed within ten years from the date the damage occurred.

Claims against the government: Rhode Island law states that the state is subject to the same rules as private parties. Personal injury and wrongful death claims against the state, as well as property damage claims, must be filed within three years of the accident.

Exceptions to the statute: 

• Minors or incapacity: If the person entitled to bring the action is under 18 or mentally incapacitated, the statute of limitations is paused until the disability is removed
• Discovery rule: If the injury, damage, or cause of action is not immediately apparent, the statute begins when it is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered
• Absence from the state: If the at-fault party is absent from Rhode Island when the cause of action accrues and does not leave behind property in the state, the time they are absent does not count toward the statute of limitations
• Fraud: If the cause of action is fraudulently concealed, the statute of limitations is paused until the fraud is discovered

Procedures for MVAs & Police Involvement

When to file a report

In Rhode Island, motorists must report an accident to law enforcement if it involves:

• Injury or death of any person
• Property damage exceeding $1,000
• Collision with an unattended vehicle or domesticated animal

Although not legally required in minor accidents, it’s a good idea to call the police. A police report can provide crucial evidence if you need to file an insurance claim or take legal action.

Filing a report

In Rhode Island, only a responding police officer is responsible for filing an official accident report. 

• Call law enforcement to the accident scene, especially if the situation involves injury, death, or significant property damage (over $1,000)
• Visit your local law enforcement agency if calling an officer to the scene is not possible or practical
• Depending on your city, you may be able to file a report online through your local police department’s website 

The officer will document the incident, interview the parties involved, and create the report, crucial to insurance claims or legal proceedings.

Accessing accident reports

You can obtain an accident report created by law enforcement through the following methods:

Online: Visit BuyCrash.com to purchase and download a copy of your accident report. The cost for an online report is $20.

Via U.S. mail: Request a copy by mailing a stamped, self-addressed envelope and a $15 check or money order payable to "The State of Rhode Island." Send the request to:

Rhode Island State Police Accident Bureau
311 Danielson Pike
North Scituate, RI 02857

In-person: Accident reports are available at local law enforcement agencies. Call ahead to make an appointment and confirm fees. 

Accident reports are usually available within 72 hours of the incident, barring investigative delays or fatal crash cases, which may take longer.

Types of Compensation Available & Their Limits

If you’re injured in a car accident in Rhode Island, you may be entitled to three types of damages:

• Economic damages: These cover tangible financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage
• Non-economic damages: These compensate for intangible losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages: These are awarded in rare cases to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless or malicious behavior

Limitations: Rhode Island does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury claims. However, punitive damages cannot be awarded against the state or its political subdivisions.

Claims against the government: When filing a tort action against the state of Rhode Island or any political subdivision, the maximum amount of damages that can be recovered is $100,000.

Medical Payments & Health Coverage

At-fault driver’s insurance: Rhode Island follows an at-fault insurance system, meaning the at-fault driver's liability insurance is primarily responsible for covering your medical expenses. However, insurance payouts can take time, especially if the fault is disputed or the case goes to court.

Your health insurance: Health insurance can help cover immediate medical expenses after the accident until you receive your settlement or compensation. 

UM/UIM coverage: If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or their coverage is insufficient, your own UM/UIM coverage can cover your medical costs. 

MedPay coverage: MedPay is an optional insurance add-on that helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who was at fault. MedPay is a no-fault coverage, meaning you don’t have to prove liability to use it.

Medical liens: If your medical bills are unpaid, healthcare providers or insurers may place a medical lien on your accident settlement. This means they’ll claim some of your compensation to recover their costs.

Subrogation: Subrogation is when your health insurer or MedPay provider seeks reimbursement from the at-fault driver's insurance after they’ve paid your medical bills. This ensures you don’t receive duplicate compensation for the same expenses.

Unique Local Considerations

Weather conditions: 

• Winter weather: Snow and ice are common in Rhode Island during winter, leading to slippery roads and reduced visibility. Ensure your vehicle, including snow tires or chains, is equipped for winter driving and maintains slower speeds
• Storms and coastal flooding: Rhode Island experiences storms that can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding
• Rain and fog: Heavy rain and fog can occur, especially in coastal areas, leading to slick roads and limited visibility. As required by Rhode Island law, headlights are advisable during such conditions

Wildlife: 

• Deer: Rhode Island has areas where deer crossings are common, particularly during the fall mating season. Be extra cautious during dawn and dusk when deer are most active. Slow down and remain alert for animals crossing, especially in rural areas
• Horses: Under Rhode Island law, drivers must reduce speed and refrain from sounding horns or causing loud noises when approaching a horse on a public highway. Sudden noises can startle the animal and create dangerous situations for the rider and other motorists

Local Resources & Contacts

Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT): https://www.dot.ri.gov/

RI Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV): https://dmv.ri.gov/

Rhode Island Department of Public Safety (DPS): https://dps.ri.gov/

Rhode Island State Police (RISP): https://risp.ri.gov/