Cumberland, Smithfield, Lincoln
In a very unusual case, both a motorist and a passenger were charged with drunk driving as a result of a serious car accident in Cumberland, Rhode Island. The two men arrested as a result of the single vehicle crash were residents of North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The collision seriously injured a minor passenger who was travelling in the motor vehicle. If you were injured in an accident in RI then you should contact a Cumberland personal injury attorney.
Passenger yanked steering wheel causes vehicle crash
Both the motorist and the front seat passenger, who allegedly unlawfully grabbed the wheel of the the vehicle, are facing serious felony charges in Providence Superior Court as a result of the single vehicle rollover wreck. The two young men were engaged in an argument while they were travelling on Rt. 146 northbound in Lincoln. Lincoln is a small town in the Blackstone Valley area of RI which encompasses Woonsocket, Pawtucket, Cumberland and North Smithfield among other towns. The front seat passenger yanked the steering wheel resulting in the automobile spinning out of control. The auto then rolled over and off the highway hitting numerous trees.
Cumberland Personal Injury Attorney
The Chandler Law Group states “Next to head-on collisions, vehicle rollover accidents are the most deadly type of car accident or truck crash that you can be involved in – according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than half of all single vehicle accident fatalities are the result of a rollover.” Chandler
Alcohol in the vehicle
WPRI in RI described the vehicular collision by reporting, “It traveled for approximately 300 feet, striking several small trees, before it consequently rolled over onto its roof onto the on-ramp,” said Rhode Island State Police Lt. John Allen.” The men took drinking and driving to a new low as they admitted to the police that they were actually imbibing alcohol beverages with the teens while driving. There was also evidence that the motorist and passenger were drinking while driving inside the auto.
“The two girls, both 16 years old, were in the backseat during the crash. Police said one was unconscious when emergency crews arrived on scene, and she was rushed to Hasbro Children’s Hospital with serious injuries.” WPRI
Head injury
The operator of the car had an apparent head injury at the arraignment. It is unclear whether the motorist suffered a traumatic brain injury (tbi). There were two young passengers, just 16 years old, in the backseat of the motor vehicle. One of the teens was very seriously injured while the other escaped the car crash without serious injuries.
The operator of the motor vehicle “was charged with DUI involving bodily injury, first offense, while [ the front seat passenger] was charged with DUI, first offense, and assault with a dangerous weapon. Both men were also charged with purchase/procurement of alcohol for a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” Id. It is unclear at this time whether any of the passengers have retained a Rhode Island personal injury attorney or a RI Car Accident Lawyer.
“Although most personal injury lawsuits arising from automobile accidents are typically brought against the operator of the vehicle, there are instances where the accident is caused by the passenger and they are sued for all injuries. In actions to recover from a passenger in a motor vehicle for personal injury or death caused by the passenger’s negligence, the injured party has to prove the traditional elements found in all negligence cases: duty, breach, causation, and damages.” Legal Match
Reckless driving
There are reported incidence across the country of a reckless passenger negligently distracting a motorist through various tactics such as:
- arguing with the motorist thereby distracting the motorists’ attention.
- pulling, grabbing or yanking the steering wheel either jokingly or maliciously.
- throwing an object, a can of beer at the motorist while he is driving or hitting / punching the driver.
Sadly, there are hundreds of car, motor vehicle and slip and falls accidents in the Cumberland, Lincoln and Smithfield area. If you were injured as a result of someone’s negligence in Woonsocket, North Smithfield or Lincoln it is important that you immediately retain a top Blackstone Valley personal injury attorney at law.
Of course, you should not limit your search to a Cumberland Personal Injury Attorney or a Lincoln Auto Accident Lawyer in the Blackstone Valley Rhode Island area because some of the best car accident lawyers in Rhode Island are located in the Providence and East Providence area.
Blackstone Valley RI encompasses Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Smithfield , Woonsocket and Pawtucket.
Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.
