By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · How we research
Rhode Island allows a full 10 years to sue for damage to your vehicle or other property, far longer than the 3 years you get for injury and wrongful death claims. Fault is shared under pure comparative negligence, so you can recover a reduced amount even if you were mostly at fault, and there is no general cap on compensatory or punitive damages in private car accident cases.
Government claims are different. Suits against the state, cities and towns generally must be filed within 3 years and are capped at $100,000. No pre-suit notice is needed to sue the state, but a claim against a city or town must first go to the town or city council, which has 40 days to act. Injuries caused by a town-maintained highway, causeway or bridge require written notice within 60 days. After a crash with injury, death or more than $1,000 in property loss, a written report to the DMV is due within 21 days. Liability minimums are 25/50/25, or a $75,000 combined single limit. Rhode Island had 52 traffic deaths in 2024.
Key rules at a glance
| Personal injury filing deadline | Generally 3 years from the date of the injury Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) |
|---|---|
| Property damage deadline | Generally 10 years for damage to your vehicle or other property Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) |
| Wrongful death deadline | Generally 3 years from the date of death Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-7-2 |
| Claims against a government entity | Claims against the state or a city or town generally must be filed within 3 years of the injury. No pre-suit notice is required to sue the state, but for a city or town you generally must first present a written claim to the town or city council, which has 40 days to act. Injuries caused by a town-maintained highway, causeway or bridge require written notice within 60 days. |
| Fault rule | Pure comparative fault: Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, even if you were mostly at fault. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4 |
| Insurance system | At-fault (tort) |
| Minimum liability insurance | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury; $25,000 property damage Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-32-2 |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Not required (usually offered; you may reject it in writing) |
| Damage caps | No general cap on compensatory or punitive damages in car accident cases. Damages in suits against the state, cities and towns are generally capped at $100,000 (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 9-31-2, 9-31-3, 45-15-12). |
| Reporting a crash | Report a crash immediately to the nearest police agency if it causes injury or death or leaves a vehicle unable to be driven safely. If anyone was injured or killed, or anyone's property loss is over $1,000, you must also file a written report with the Division of Motor Vehicles within 21 days. |
Getting your crash report in Rhode Island
For crashes handled by the Rhode Island State Police, buy the report online through BuyCrash or by mail from the RISP Accident Bureau for $15. Reports are usually ready about 72 hours after the crash, but not while a crash is still under investigation. For crashes handled by a city or town, contact that police department. Official request page
Checking a Rhode Island lawyer
Before you sign anything, confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the official state search, and ask for the fee agreement in writing. Our guide on choosing and verifying a lawyer lists what to ask.
- License search: Rhode Island Bar Association – Attorney Directory
- Lawyer referral: Rhode Island Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service · 401-421-7799
52 people died in motor vehicle crashes in Rhode Island in 2024, according to NHTSA FARS (2024).
Frequently asked questions
›Do I really have 10 years to sue for damage to my car in Rhode Island?
Generally yes. Property damage claims fall under the general 10-year statute (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13). Injury claims are much shorter at 3 years (§ 9-1-14(b)), and wrongful death claims also have 3 years from the date of death (§ 10-7-2).
›Does being mostly at fault end my Rhode Island claim?
No. Rhode Island uses pure comparative fault, so your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault even if you were mostly at fault (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4).
›What is the process for suing a Rhode Island city or town?
You generally must first present a written claim to the town or city council, which has 40 days to act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-15-5). The suit generally must be filed within 3 years, and damages are generally capped at $100,000. Injuries caused by a town-maintained highway, causeway or bridge require written notice within 60 days (§ 45-15-9(a)).
›When must I file a written report with the Rhode Island DMV?
Within 21 days if anyone was injured or killed or anyone's property loss is over $1,000 (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-6). Separately, report the crash immediately to the nearest police agency if it caused injury or death or left a vehicle unable to be driven safely (§ 31-26-3.2).
›How do I buy a Rhode Island State Police crash report?
Buy it online through BuyCrash or by mail from the RISP Accident Bureau for $15. Reports are usually ready about 72 hours after the crash, but not while a crash is still under investigation. For city or town crashes, contact that police department.
Sources
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-32-2 (Rhode Island General Assembly)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4 (Rhode Island General Assembly)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-3.2 (Rhode Island General Assembly)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-6 (Rhode Island General Assembly)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14 (Justia)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13 (Justia)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-25 (Justia)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-7-2 (Justia)
- Rhode Island State Police – Legal / Crash Reports
- Rhode Island Bar Association – How to Choose and Use a Lawyer (LRS)
- IIHS – Fatality Facts, state by state (NHTSA FARS)