Rhode Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Rhode Island’s compact size, coastal scenery, and expanding network of shared-use paths have encouraged thousands of residents to swap four wheels for two. Unfortunately, the state’s crash data mirror a national trend: injuries and fatalities involving bicyclists have risen steadily since the pandemic era. A 2023 Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment prepared for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) found that people biking or walking accounted for 17 percent of all traffic deaths in the last five years, one of the highest shares in the country.

Our personal injury attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have experience and expertise in all types of bicycle injury cases, including accidents caused by motor vehicles, other cyclists, pedestrians, roadway defects, and more.

Rhode Island treats bicycles as vehicles. Cyclists must obey the same traffic control devices and right-of-way rules that apply to motorists under Title 31, Chapter 19 of the General Laws. Key provisions include:

• Ride right, pass left. Cyclists must travel “as close as practicable” to the right-hand curb except when overtaking, avoiding hazards, or preparing for a left turn.
• Two abreast maximum. No more than two bicycles may ride side-by-side except on paths set aside exclusively for bicycles.
• Hand signals. Riders must use hand and arm signals for turns and stops unless both hands are needed to control the bike.
• Night equipment. A white front lamp visible from at least 500 feet, red rear reflector or lamp, and side reflectors are required between sunset and sunrise (31-19-11).
• Helmet requirement for minors. Anyone 15 years old or younger operating or riding on a bicycle (or skateboard, scooter, inline skates, etc.) on a public way must wear a properly fitted helmet that meets ANSI or Snell standards.

Rhode Island modernized its e-bike rules in 2023, classifying e-bikes into the three-tier system used by most states. Electric bicycles now “have all the rights and privileges” of conventional bikes, but local jurisdictions may restrict Class 3 e-bikes (those that can reach 28 mph) on multi-use trails.

House Bill H 5192, introduced January 24, 2025, would codify etiquette on shared paths—requiring all users to keep right and pass left—and allow RIDOT to post enforceable speed limits on state bike paths. While not yet law, the proposal signals lawmakers’ intent to tighten safety rules as ridership grows.

Although every collision has its facts, investigations by our firm and statewide crash studies point to recurring patterns:

• Driver negligence. The majority of severe injuries stem from motorists who fail to yield while turning, open doors into the bike lane, or drive distracted.
• Unsafe speed differentials. High-speed arterials lacking shoulders expose riders to catastrophic “overtake” crashes.
• Poorly designed infrastructure. Potholes, drainage grates aligned with wheel grooves, and a lack of dedicated bike signals contribute to single-bicycle wrecks for which municipalities may share liability.
• Equipment failures. Defective carbon forks, quick-release levers that open unexpectedly, and e-bike battery fires create product-liability claims against manufacturers.

Rhode Island is one of only a handful of pure comparative negligence jurisdictions. Even if an injured bicyclist is found 90 percent responsible for an accident, for example, for riding without lights at night, they may recover the remaining 10 percent of their proven damages from other at-fault parties.

In practice, insurance adjusters seize on any alleged rider misstep—running a stop sign, wearing dark clothing, drifting from the bike lane—to reduce payouts. Early legal representation ensures the crash scene is preserved, witness statements are secured, and video or vehicle data recorders are obtained before evidence disappears.

• Call 911 and seek medical care. Adrenaline often masks symptoms of internal bleeding or traumatic brain injury.
• File a police report. Rhode Island State Police or local departments must prepare Form SU-21 for any crash involving injury or property damage over $1,000.
• Document the scene. Photograph vehicle positions, skid marks, roadway defects, and your injuries.
• Exchange information but limit discussion. Obtain driver ID, registration, and insurance, but avoid debating fault at the roadside.
• Notify insurers promptly. Most auto policies define a bicycle struck by a motor vehicle as an “uninsured motor vehicle” if the driver flees; prompt notice preserves UM/UIM coverage.

Because cyclists have no “bicycle insurance” equivalent to auto policies, they must navigate a patchwork of coverages:

• Driver’s bodily injury liability—the first source of recovery when a motorist is at fault.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM). If you own a car, your policy may cover you while cycling, even though you were not driving, provided the accident involved a motor vehicle.
• Medical Payments (MedPay). Optional in Rhode Island; pays medical bills without fault findings.
• Health insurance and ERISA liens. Medical carriers often assert subrogation rights against your settlement; negotiating liens is a crucial part of maximizing net recovery.

Compensation in civil court—or a negotiated settlement—may include:

• Economic losses. Past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and the cost of adaptive equipment such as hand-cycles.
• Non-economic damages. Pain, suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Property damage. Repair or replacement of your bicycle, smartwatch, helmet, and other gear.
• Punitive damages. Rare, but possible when a defendant’s conduct is willful or reckless, such as a DUI driver who leaves the scene.

Rhode Island does not cap damages in personal injury cases, giving juries wide discretion to match awards to the severity of harm.

Most personal injury lawsuits, including bicycle crashes, must be filed within three years of the date of injury.

Special rules apply:

• Minors. The clock does not start until the child turns 18, potentially extending the filing deadline to their 21st birthday.
• Wrongful death. Claims must be brought by the executor or administrator within three years of death, which may differ from the crash date.
• Government defendants. Suing a city or the State of Rhode Island for roadway defects demands written notice within 60 days (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-31-12) and filing within three years.

Missing these deadlines almost always means losing your claim forever, underscoring the urgency of early legal counsel.

Children are both cherished riders and legally unique plaintiffs:

• Standard of care. Motorists owe children a higher duty because kids cannot appreciate traffic dangers the way adults do.
• Statute tolling. As noted, the three-year period does not begin until the majority, giving parents time to monitor long-term developmental impacts before filing.
• Helmet evidence. Failure to wear a helmet may reduce damages but cannot serve as absolute defense; Rhode Island’s helmet statute explicitly prohibits use of non-compliance as conclusive proof of negligence.

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, our approach blends rigorous investigation with cutting-edge technology:

• Scene reconstruction. We deploy forensic engineers and, where necessary, LiDAR scans to calculate speed, line of sight, and collision angles.
• Digital evidence mining. Dash-cams, convenience-store surveillance, Strava or Garmin GPS logs, and vehicle event data recorders often tell a clearer story than conflicting eyewitness memories.
• Expert network. We work with neurologists, vocational economists, and life-care planners to quantify future needs, critical in spinal-cord or traumatic brain injury cases.
• Litigation readiness. While most claims settle, our firm’s track record in the Rhode Island Superior Court signals to insurers that lowball offers will be tried to verdict.

Our attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have represented injured riders across Providence, Newport, Warwick, and beyond for more than two decades. Highlights include:

• Proven results. Multi-million-dollar recoveries for cyclists injured by distracted drivers and negligent road maintenance contractors.
• No fee unless successful. We advance all costs and are paid only when we secure compensation for you.
• Community commitment. We sponsor local cycling safety clinics and lobby for infrastructure improvements, most recently supporting bills like H 5192 aimed at safer bike paths.
• Client-centered representation. You receive regular updates, direct attorney access, and the resources of a firm that limits caseloads to devote maximum attention to each client.

Bicycling should be a healthy, eco-friendly way to traverse Rhode Island’s beautiful landscapes, not a gamble with your safety or financial future. Understanding the state’s bicycle laws, insurance landscape, and strict filing deadlines is the first step toward full recovery after a crash. The experienced team at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers stands ready to safeguard your rights, investigate your claim, and pursue the maximum compensation the law allows.

Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward justice and fair compensation for your injuries. Call us for a free consultation at (617) 777-7777.