Woman Killed in East Providence Hit & Run Accident

A 46-year old East Providence woman died last week after being hit by a vehicle on Willett Ave. The driver of the vehicle fled the crash scene but later turned himself in. The hit and run driver, Paul Julian Newman of Florida, was identified after a witness took down the fleeing vehicles license plate and submitted it to the police. East Providence police tracked the auto to a rental agency that identified the man who rented the red SUV and fatally hit the woman. Newman has been charged with the felony of failing to stop in a fatal crash. Not all instances of hit and run accidents are this easy to solve. East Providence police were helped greatly by the witnesses who provided the license plate information. However, just because a vehicle has fled the scene of a crash doesn’t mean it is impossible to find the offender. If injuries have been sustained in a hit and run collision, whether the driver has been found or not, you should contact a personal injury attorney to be advised on what steps to take next. An East Providence personal injury lawyer specializing in hit and run accidents deals with injuries sustained in vehicle accidents every day and can assist you in taking the next steps towards healing and recovering damages.

What if the Driver Flees the Crash Scene?

If the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit and run crash has fled the scene, it is still possible to locate the offender. Like the recent East Providence fatal hit and run, a witness may observe the collision and record the license plate number or a description of the fleeing vehicle and provide it to authorities. Police can also view the cameras of local businesses or residents, or traffic cameras, to see if evidence of the crash was recorded. Sometimes there is enough evidence left at the crash scene- perhaps a broken bumper, paint left on the other car, or a tire skid mark, to identify the make and model of the other vehicle, and eventually track it down. There are many options that can assist the police in locating the vehicle owner and driver. With that information in hand, a personal injury attorney can assist you in filing a lawsuit against the driver to gain compensation for your injuries caused by the accident. If the driver can’t be found, victims of hit and run accidents can seek coverage for their injuries under their own insurance plan if they have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. An experienced personal injury lawyer can advise you about this process. You can view Tapalian Law’s blog about legal options after a hit and run accident on our website.

What Legal Obligation Does a Driver Have After a Car Crash?

In the state of Rhode Island, law requires drivers to stop at the scene of an accident they have been involved in. This remains true whether the accident has caused bodily injury, death, or vehicle or property damage. The driver must remain at the scene of the crash until necessary medical assistance has arrived and a report has been filed with the police. In Rhode Island, a driver has a duty to “give information and render aid”.

If a driver knowingly fails to stop, such as in a hit and run accident, depending on the severity of the impact and whether it resulted in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death, they may be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Depending on the extent of the injuries and damage, the result may be range from a fine, loss of license, or jail time. In the case of death, or more severe bodily injury, the penalties increase greatly. Second, or multiple offenses, will also result in more severe consequences. The driver may also be charged with negligent driving, if the cause of the crash is found to be due to distracted driving, such as texting while operating a motor vehicle.

Seek Guidance from an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in East Providence

Tapalian Law understands the difficulty and stress that car accident injuries can cause to you and your family. A hit and run crash may be especially painful if there is no driver to blame and questions go unanswered. Our personal injury attorney’s will be by your side every step of the way, from the time you notify us of your accident until your settlement is resolved. We can also assist you in finding professionals to help you deal with the physical and mental anguish caused by the accident. Dealing with injuries from a car crash can be a very trying time in a person’s life. Don’t fight it alone. Contact personal injury lawyer David Tapalian for a free consultation at 401-552-5000. With offices in Providence and Seekonk, we can begin helping you immediately.