DUI Injury Attorneys Serving Rhode Island
Many fatalities that occur on Rhode Island roadways are caused by intoxicated drivers. In fact, according to reports from the Rhode Island Department of Health, even though the state’s percentage of auto accident-related deaths is lower than the country as a whole, the percentage of deaths due to DUI has been higher than the national average for more than a decade.
When you or someone you love becomes the victim of a drunk driving accident, you have specific rights under the law, including the right to seek compensation for your injuries and any related damages. Talking to an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer remains one of the best ways to understand your rights and options.
For a FREE consultation with one of our experienced Providence drunk driving accident lawyers, call (401) 273-8330 today. Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell has decades of experience helping drunk driving accident victims get justice. We serve Pawtucket, Cranston, and all nearby Rhode Island communities.
The Damages of DUI
Driving under the influence is a choice—and one that puts other people’s lives in grave danger. While the person driving drunk might face criminal penalties, victims often bear the brunt of the consequences. These can include:
Physical Injuries
DUI accidents often result in serious personal injury, ranging from traumatic brain injuries to spinal cord damage. These injuries often require immediate medical attention. They may also necessitate long-term care, which can include physical therapy, multiple surgeries, and ongoing medication.
Emotional and Psychological Toll
Beyond physical injuries, victims of drunk driving accidents often suffer emotional and psychological damage. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and extreme mood swings are common after serious injury. These can severely impact your quality of life and even hinder your return to normal activities or employment.
Financial Burden
The cost of treating injuries sustained in a DUI accident can be significant. Initial emergency care, surgical interventions, long-term treatment plans, and rehabilitation—all of these contribute to medical bills that can quickly escalate into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Add to these expenses the loss of income due to time off work and the long-term diminishment of earning capacity, and the financial consequences of a drunk driving accident can quickly become apparent.
Loss of Life
The most tragic outcome of a DUI accident is the loss of life. Families are torn apart, leaving loved ones not only to deal with emotional loss but also financial hardships from funeral expenses and the sudden loss of a contributor to household income.
Rhode Island takes DUI offenses seriously. Conviction rates are high, and penalties can include hefty fines, imprisonment, and loss of driving privileges. However, the law’s punitive measures against offenders offer little to no help to victims and their families who have to carry the physical and emotional scars for life.
DUI victims are entitled to compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered harm, speaking to an experienced Providence drunk driving victim lawyer can help you understand your rights and legal options.
You May Be Entitled To Compensation After A DUI Accident
If you or a loved one has been adversely impacted by a drunk driving incident in Rhode Island, you should know that legal avenues exist to help you secure compensation for your losses. The team at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell has close to five decades of experience in successfully helping victims of DUI accidents seek justice and secure the full compensation they are due.
Types of Damages Available for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
When injured in a DUI accident, various types of damages can be sought. Depending on the particulars of your case, these may include:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses. These might include emergency care, ongoing treatment plans, surgeries, medication, and rehabilitative services.
- Loss of Income and Earning Capacity. If your ability to work has been compromised, you can seek compensation for the income you’ve lost and future earnings that you’ll miss out on.
- Pain and Suffering. In many DUI cases, victims can seek compensation for emotional distress, physical pain, and a diminished quality of life in addition to economic damages.
In some drunk driving accident cases, punitive damages may be sought as well. These damages seek to punish behavior that is particularly egregious or maliciously intentional.
There is no limit on the amount of compensatory damages you can seek in Rhode Island. This means that our drunk driving accident lawyers can help you seek compensation well beyond the initial offerings of insurance companies. During your complimentary case review, we will carefully assess your claim, discuss the types of damages you may be entitled to, and help you decide if filing a personal injury claim is the best way to seek justice.
What If the Drunk Driver Isn’t Charged?
In the rare event that a drunk driver isn’t criminally charged in Rhode Island, you can still pursue a civil case for damages. Criminal and civil proceedings are separate. A lack of criminal charges does not absolve the driver of civil liabilities. In fact, the threshold for proving liability in civil cases is generally lower than in criminal cases, which means you may still be able to receive compensation even if the driver is not found criminally responsible.
When you are injured in a DUI accident, you may have been the victim of a crime even when criminal charges against the perpetrator are reduced or dropped. The Providence drunk driving accident lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell have decades of experience advocating for victims of crime. We are here to hold drunk drivers to full account for their negligence.
Dram Shop Liability in Rhode Island
Under Rhode Island law, establishments such as bars, taverns, and restaurants can be held liable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause harm to others. This falls under the realm of “Dram Shop Liability” (see Rhode Island General Laws § 3-14-6). These laws permit victims of drunk driving accidents to pursue claims against third-party establishments that may have contributed to a drunk driver’s impairment.
Understanding Dram Shop Negligence
When it comes to inappropriate service of alcohol liability, negligence is not always straightforward. Having a drunk driving accident lawyer investigate your claim can uncover negligent actions such as:
- Overserving a Patron. Ignoring or disregarding the need to cut off alcohol service to someone showing clear signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, poor coordination, or overly aggressive behavior, and continuing to serve alcohol to the individual.
- Serving Minors. Knowingly serving alcohol to someone who is under the age of 21 or neglecting to check the ID of patrons who appear underage, thereby risking serving minors.
- No Training for Staff. Failure to adequately train staff in the responsible service of alcohol, including checking ID and identifying signs of intoxication.
- Encouraging Excessive Consumption. Offering drink specials or encouraging games that promote excessive drinking.
- Serving Alcohol Outside Legal Hours. Providing alcohol outside the time frames permitted by local or state laws. In Rhode Island, bars must stop serving by 1 a.m. under most circumstances.
- Failure to Call a Taxi or Prevent Departure. When it’s clear a patron is intoxicated and planning to drive, failure to take steps to prevent them from getting behind the wheel, such as calling a taxi or rideshare service.
If you’ve been a victim of a DUI accident in Rhode Island, Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell is committed to helping you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve. During the investigative process, we will review all contributing factors to identify each party that may bear a portion of the blame. By properly assessing liability, we can better seek the maximum compensation your injuries demand.
Do I Need a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?
Having a lawyer on your side can significantly improve your chances of securing full compensation. Our Providence drunk driving accident lawyers can offer:
Experienced Legal Guidance
The legal procedures following a DUI accident can be confusing and overwhelming. A drunk driving accident victim lawyer will guide you through the process, ensuring that you understand each step and what’s required from you.
Thorough Investigations
A comprehensive investigation into your accident and all contributing factors is necessary for establishing liability. A DUI accident lawyer will carefully review the details of your accident to ensure all liable parties are identified and build a legal strategy tailored to the specifics of your case, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Strategic Negotiation Skills
When it comes to settling your claim, the negotiation skills of your drunk driving accident lawyer can make a significant difference in the compensation you receive. Many of these cases settle before trial, making skilled negotiation an important part of receiving fair compensation.
Representation at Trial
When a drunk driving accident claim goes to trial, having a proven litigator on your side is essential. Trials require substantial evidence and may take months of preparation. A drunk driving victim attorney will understand how to build solid cases and fight for the just compensation you are due.
By enlisting the help of an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer, you’re not only protecting your rights but also significantly increasing your chances of receiving the compensation you rightly deserve. With close to fifty years of experience in representing injured people in Rhode Island, Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell is committed to serving your best interests.
Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell Is Here To Help
When you’re grappling with the aftermath of a drunk driving accident, choosing the right legal representation makes all the difference. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, we’ve built a legacy close to five decades, focused on delivering justice for those who need it most. Upheld by our firm’s values of honesty, empathy, and professionalism, we are committed to fighting for your rights and providing you with the strongest representation possible.
Our approach is unique. We deliberately maintain a select caseload to ensure that each client benefits from individualized attention. Our seasoned partners are actively involved in the day-to-day particulars of each client’s case, providing unmatched legal expertise.
We have secured numerous million- and multi-million-dollar verdicts and judgments for victims of personal injury in Rhode Island. We take case preparation to a new level, performing in-depth investigations to secure all relevant evidence. Our firm has influenced landmark decisions that have shaped public policy and institutional operations.
We understand that the legal process is just one part of your journey to recovery. That’s why our dedicated lawyers and staff are available to you at all times, responding promptly to your questions and concerns. With Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell by your side, you’re not just a client; you’re part of a unique relationship built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to justice.
If you’re seeking a strong, compassionate advocate in your corner, Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell is here to help. With us, you can be confident that you’re not just a case number but a valued client deserving of justice and compensation.
Contact Our Providence Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today!
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed by a drunk driver, you are not alone. Contact us online or call us at (401) 273-8330 today for a FREE and confidential consultation with one of our experienced Providence drunk driving accident lawyers. We proudly represent victims of drunk drivers in Providence, Coventry, Lincoln, and all surrounding Rhode Island communities.
