Rhode Island at a glance
Rhode Island allows three years for injuries to the person.[1] Rhode Island uses pure comparative negligence.[2]
Filing deadlines
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b)
Actions for injuries to the person shall be commenced and sued within three (3) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after.
Source: [1]
In plain English, most injury lawsuits in Rhode Island must be filed within three years.[1]
Shared fault
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4
the fact that the person injured, or the owner of the property or person having control over the property, may not have been in the exercise of due care or the fact that the danger or defect was open and obvious shall not bar a recovery, but damages shall be diminished by the finder of fact in proportion to the amount of negligence attributable to the person injured
Source: [2]
Under pure comparative fault, an injured person who was partly at fault can still recover, but the award is reduced by their share of fault.
Auto insurance requirements
Rhode Island’s minimum liability limits are set in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-31-7; read the current section at the official source.[3] Rhode Island is not one of the no-fault states.[4]
What this page does not cover
This page covers the main deadlines, fault rule, damage limits and auto insurance requirements. Statutes also contain exceptions, such as rules for minors, people who are incapacitated and claims discovered later, and special rules apply to medical malpractice and workers’ compensation. Always read the full statute at the official source linked below.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a head injury lawsuit in Rhode Island?
In plain English, most injury lawsuits in Rhode Island must be filed within three years.[1]
This page provides general information about the law from the sources listed below. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time. See our legal disclaimer.
Sources
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14, as quoted in a Rhode Island Supreme Court opinion. Rhode Island Judiciary. https://www.courts.ri.gov/Opinions/06-217.pdf
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4. Justia. https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-9/chapter-9-20/section-9-20-4/
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-31-7. Rhode Island General Assembly. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/PublicLaws/law21/law21398.htm
- Insurance Information Institute. “Background on: No-fault auto insurance.” https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-no-fault-auto-insurance
Sources last checked: October 11, 2026
