General Blog

Motorized electric scooters provide their operators with an inexpensive and enjoyable way to get around in large cities. Several companies have taken advantage of their growing popularity, offering rental stations where visitors – often tourists – can access the devices. Yet e-scooters also present a safety problem, adding another risk to chaotic city streets already crowded with traffic, distracted drivers, pedestrians, motorcycles and bicyclists. According to EHS Today, the biggest problem with e-scooters are the operators. Uninformed, unprepared or discourteous riders sometimes ignore safety protocols. For example, they ride on sidewalks, where they present a hazard to pedestrians. Or they do not follow traffic laws. EHS Today says rental companies must take some responsibility for promoting safety. Companies are urged to protect riders by providing safety equipment and through routine maintenance…Read More

The warm weather is upon us, that means many residents of greater-Providence will leave their cars at home and commute via bicycle. Not only is bicycling a healthy and economically sound way for commuters to get around, it’s a hobby that many people enjoy. An Increase In Bicycles Calls For More Awareness Due to the expansion of the JUMP bike-sharing service, there are more bicycles on Providence streets than ever, according to a Patch article. Bicycle enthusiasts and safety advocates are encouraging communication among drivers and bicyclists through an initiative dubbed “The Rhode Island Waves campaign.” Bari Freeman, Executive Director of Bike Newport, explains, “The Rhode Island Waves campaign was developed in Newport and now Bike Newport is working with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to expand this campaign across…Read More

If you were involved in an auto accident in Rhode Island, one of the most crucial steps to piece together a solid claim is making sure a police report is filed. Even if your accident was just a “fender bender” and you feel perfectly fine after, you may start to experience injury symptoms days later. An official police report makes it more likely that you will be compensated for medical treatment or time spent away from work. If you have any questions on how the process works, an experienced Providence auto accident attorney at our law firm can help. We also offer an in-depth guide on what you can expect to find in a police report. Evidence That Supports Your Claim After you’ve been involved in an accident, it’s important that you call the police right…Read More

When a traffic signal turns green and you have the right of way, you should be able to proceed through an intersection without the risk of being seriously injured. However, that is not always the case.   In recent news, an accident at the intersection of Bellevue and Narragansett avenues in Newport, Rhode Island resulted in a vehicle rollover after a driver ran through a red light. Luckily, no injuries were reported, but some crash victims aren’t as fortunate.  What’s Causing The Increase In Red-Light Running?  Accidents caused by drivers who run red lights are a growing problem in Rhode Island and nationwide. This uptick has caught the attention of several safety advocacy groups, according to The Drive. In a combined effort, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the American Automobile Association (AAA), Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety,…Read More

Road accident deaths stemming from collisions with large trucks are on the decline - which is excellent news. However, a recent analysis by Volvo Trucks reveals we don't have as much to celebrate with regard to truck accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Action is necessary to slash the number of pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents involving trucks. One analysis published in the in the journal Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences revealed that reducing the accident rate is something of a catch-22. People aren't eager to walk or bike in heavy traffic. In cities like Providence, where the population is fairly dense, pedestrians and cyclists can suffer a substantial number of serious traffic injuries and deaths. But traffic congestion cannot be reduced while most trips are taken by car. In order to promote cycling and pedestrian growth,…Read More

We are in the midst of the deadliest stretch of the year on the road for our teen drivers. The American Automobile Association reports the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the 100 Deadliest Days for teenage drivers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports six teens ages 15-19 die every day in car accidents in the United States. Many other motorists are injured or killed in collisions caused by teen drivers. AAA is focusing on several of the most common causes, including speeding (29 percent of all fatal accidents involving teenagers) and night driving (more than one-third of teen crashes occur between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.). Rhode Island's graduated licensing law, RI Gen L § 31-10-6 (2012), attempts to reduce the risks by granting driving privileges to teens in stages. However,…Read More

Starting this month, Rhode Island drivers can be pulled over and fined $100 if seen with a mobile phone to their ear while behind the wheel. The state's hands-free driving law went into effect on June 1st. Providence Journal reports the law, which passed last year, is aimed at reducing the increasing number of fatal collisions on state roads. Traffic deaths increased 63 percent last year, claiming nearly 100 lives. Three other New England states, namely Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire, also prohibit drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones. We expect to see an increase in auto accidents through the summer travel season, and many of those collisions will be caused at least in part by a driver who is distracted. Unfortunately, numerous studies have determined using hands-free devices while driving remains a distraction…Read More

There are many reasons why all Providence drivers should accept personal responsibility for enacting safe driving habits. In the most drastic cases, it can help drivers avoid criminal charges for traffic-related deaths, impaired driving, and other vehicular crimes. It can also help drivers avoid administrative consequences, such as points added their insurance policies or fines and fees. Finally, safe driving habits can help drivers avoid civil liability in a lawsuit by an injury victim. All of these consequences are designed to deter unsafe driving habits and make the roads of Providence safer for all road users, including motorists, passengers, bikers and pedestrians. Drivers’ Legal Obligations Under Rhode Island Law The State of Rhode Island General Laws make many provisions for traffic regulation. Drivers are given clear guidelines for many different aspects…Read More

Diagnostic errors (misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose) injure many patients across the United States every year. These errors can result in hospitalization, surgery, paralysis, or even death. They cause victims and families to incur medical expenses in the face of lost wages, while also missing out on the relationships and activities of daily life. It is important to hold negligent hospitals and doctors responsible for diagnostic errors that injure patients. A Providence medical malpractice attorney can help patients access the compensation to which they are legally entitled, and also protect future patients from harm by holding medical facilities and providers accountable for negligence. Why Diagnostic Errors Can Be Difficult To Identify The Journal of the American Medical Association reviewed studies of autopsies performed between 1966 and 2002 to identify diagnostic errors in…Read More

Winter increases the risk of injuries and accidents in parking lots. But the truth of the matter is that parking lots are dangerous year-round. Anywhere motorists and pedestrians mix increases accident risks, and that's never more true than in parking lots, where vehicles are often backing out of spots, visibility is often reduced, and basic traffic rules are often ignored. Furthermore, while distracted driving is a primary threat on the road, drivers are even more likely to be distracted in parking lots, according to a recent article in Safety and Health magazine. Injury Risks In Rhode Island Parking Lots An experienced injury lawyer in Providence knows these incidents can include backover accidents, slip and fall injuries, motor-vehicle collisions and even vehicles that drive into storefronts. Safety begins with property owners. Employers are reminded that…Read More