Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in East Providence

When a drunk driver causes a crash, the impact does not stop once the cars are towed away. When you are left dealing with pain, frustration, and piles of expenses and unanswered questions, turn to an East Providence drunk driving accident lawyer for assistance.

At Gemma Law, our East Providence car accident lawyer team has served thousands of clients over nearly five decades, helping them move forward after someone else’s choices caused serious harm. Reach out to our team today to discuss your situation.

How Alcohol-Related Crashes Affect Liability and Insurance in Rhode Island

Most car crashes come with their own set of complications, but things can get even more tangled when alcohol is involved. These cases are not just about who ran a light or missed a stop sign.

They often result in criminal charges, additional insurance headaches, and unique questions that do not arise in a typical crash.

How BAC Levels and Criminal Charges Interact With Civil Claims

When the other driver has been drinking, their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level usually plays a big role in the story. It can support your claim and help show they were in the wrong, but it also means the state might be building a criminal case at the same time.

That process can move more slowly, and the records from it may not be available right away.

Even if the driver is facing charges, your claim does not have to wait for a verdict. The civil and criminal cases are handled separately, which means you can keep things moving on your side.

While the court works through one process, your medical records, bills, and insurance questions can still be reviewed and addressed.

Insurance Denials and Coverage Gaps After DUI Collisions

Getting hit by a drunk driver might seem like the kind of situation where insurance would step in right away. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Some carriers delay payments or attempt to find reasons not to pay, especially when there are technical issues with the policy or questions about the driver’s actions that night.

Sometimes, the person who caused the crash does not have sufficient insurance to cover all the damages. If that happens, your policy might come into play through uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Working that out takes time, especially when alcohol is part of the equation. 

When Passenger Injuries or Multiple Claims Complicate the Case

Some drunk driving crashes hurt more than just two drivers. If a passenger gets injured or several people are filing claims, things can get messy in a hurry. There is usually a limited pool of insurance money, and determining who gets what can become a frustrating back-and-forth process.

Passengers might have to file a claim against the driver they trusted to get them home safely. That can feel uncomfortable, but it may be the only way to get the care they need. And when several people are involved, you need someone who can step in, sort through the policies, and keep things from stalling out.

Patterns in Drunk Driving Cases in East Providence

While every crash has its own story, certain red flags show up often when alcohol is involved. These patterns typically indicate that the driver was not thinking clearly or reacting as they should have behind the wheel. 

Some of the most common signs of impaired driving include:

• Rear-end crashes
• Wrong-way driving
• Failure to brake
• Speeding through intersections
• Swerving over center lines
• Crashes involving pedestrians
• Red light violations
• Ignoring traffic signs
• Lane drift or overcorrections
• Collisions during late-night hours
• Erratic turns or stopping
  

Under Rhode Island General Laws § 31-27-2, a driver who causes a crash while under the influence can face serious criminal charges. We often hear from people wondering what to do after a car accident when it is clear the other driver was drunk, and the answer usually depends on what kind of insurance is involved and how the claim needs to be handled.

Legal Issues That May Affect a Drunk Driving Injury Claim

Crashes involving alcohol are rarely straightforward. In fact, it is pretty common for these cases to raise questions that go beyond the driver’s actions.

Can a Bar, Club, or Social Host Be Held Liable?

Yes, depending on the situation, the person or place that served the alcohol might share some responsibility. 

Rhode Island’s dram shop law, Rhode Island General Laws § 3-14-6, allows claims against businesses or social hosts who gave alcohol to someone who was clearly drunk if that person later caused a crash. These cases often require a thorough examination, but they can uncover additional compensation.

If there is a chance someone else contributed to the crash by serving alcohol irresponsibly, we will help uncover it. Your East Providence drunk driving accident attorney from Gemma Law knows how to spot those details and can walk you through whether that path makes sense.

How the Statute of Limitations Applies to DUI Injury Claims

There is a deadline for filing a lawsuit after a crash, and it comes up fast. Under Rhode Island General Laws § 9-1-14, most personal injury claims need to be filed within three years. If you miss that window, your case might not even get heard.

This can be especially important in teen driving accidents or cases with long-term injuries. Your East Providence personal injury lawyer can help you figure out exactly how much time you have and what steps to take next.

Your Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in East Providence Can Help You Move Forward

When someone else makes the reckless choice to drive drunk, you should not be stuck picking up the pieces alone. Your East Providence drunk driving accident lawyer with Gemma Law will take the time to walk you through the process and make sure you are treated fairly. 

If you have questions or need help sorting out what comes next, just contact us for a free consultation. We are ready when you are.