Fatal Car Accidents

According to the NHTSA, nearly 1.25 million people die in motor vehicle crashes each year, amounting to almost 3,300 deaths per day. Further, car accidents rank as the 9th leading cause of death in the US. Car accidents can cause devastating injuries for victims and many crashes lead to a fatality. If you have a loved one that has died at the hands of a negligent driver, experienced Rhode Island Car Accident Attorney David Tapalian can help you recover compensation with a wrongful death claim for the devastating loss that you’ve suffered. Though no amount of money can ever make up for the loss of a family member, the at-fault driver still deserves to be held accountable for their reckless actions. A RI wrongful death claim can help the family recoup costs related to funeral expenses, burial expenses, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and more, after a deadly accident.

Depending on the specific situation, the driver at-fault for the fatal crash may be charged with manslaughter or more severe crimes. Under Rhode Island General Law, vehicular homicide occurs when a motorist kills another person while driving “in reckless disregard of the safety of others and driving so as to endanger, resulting in death”. Proving this “reckless disregard” can be difficult in many situations, as it only applies when a driver is found to have operated their vehicle in an extremely dangerous manner. For example, a judge may consider evidence that the driver consumed alcohol, violated traffic laws, or was speeding. Only an experienced Rhode Island Car Accident Attorney like David Tapalian can advise you as to your best course of action in a complicated fatal accident situation. You can trust the experts at Tapalian Law to handle your case with the highest level of empathy, discretion and care, throughout the traumatic situation you are experiencing.

The Rhode Island Office of Highway Safety recently found that in 2018, there were 58 deaths involving vehicles. Though this number is lower than in years past, it is still disturbing that this many people have lost their lives due to reckless drivers in the state. Although new legislation such as the “hands-free” law (which bans people from using hand-held devices) has somewhat decreased motor vehicle fatalities, there are still some areas that are especially dangerous for drivers in RI. As a Car Accident Attorney serving the Rhode Island community for over twenty years, Attorney Tapalian has seen a number of these horrific fatal car accident tragedies, specifically on certain roads in the state. ASecureLife did a study using National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System data from 2017 and determined that the “deadliest” highway in Rhode Island is I-295 South, which saw seven fatalities occur between 2015 and 2017. The second most dangerous highway was Taunton Avenue, also known as the “death highway”, where 6 people died between 2015 and 2017.

Both of these high-fatality areas are short, sharp interchanges that make it easy to see how accidents can occur frequently. Furthermore, the speed limit in each area is extremely high, with many oncoming motorists driving well above the speed limit at an average of 80 mph. With drivers operating their vehicles at these speeds, accidents can be deadly and Tapalian Law cautions drivers to proceed with caution especially on these roads.

At Tapalian Law, we empathize that most people want to mourn in peace after losing a loved one in a tragic accident. We advise you to seek a free, private, legal consultation from Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer David Tapalian as soon as possible in the aftermath of the accident in order to determine your legal rights. There is absolutely nothing that can replace the devastating loss of a beloved family member. Our legal experts at Tapalian Law can, however, help you receive monetary compensation to alleviate part of the financial stress accompanied with your loss. With over 20 years of experience dealing with these types of cases, David understands what you’re going through and the agonizing emotional pain you may be experiencing. Attorney Tapalian will take any and all steps necessary to help you get justice for the devastating fatality that resulted from a car accident. Medical bills and funeral costs can add up, and you deserve monetary compensation for all of your pain and suffering. Attorney Tapalian has helped thousands of families whose loved ones were victims of fatal car accidents in Rhode Island receive the justice they rightfully deserve. Tapalian Law is a trusted and highly rated car accident law firm in RI and our team of legal professionals are widely known in the community for getting victims’ families the results that they deserve. With a main office in Providence, we are easily accessible for free consultations for anyone in Rhode Island and the surrounding areas. Call Tapalian Law today at 401-552-5000 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.