Dylan C. DiLibero, Esq.
Attorney
Criminal defense, state and federal · Personal injury · Civil litigation
View profilePersonal injury · Auto accidents
Car Accident Representation in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Hurt in a crash in Rhode Island or Massachusetts?
The first 30 days
What happens after a crash, and what to do at each step
- Day 0
The crash
Get medical help, call the police, and photograph the scene, both cars, and the other driver’s license, plate, and insurance card. Get witness names and numbers.
- Days 1 to 5
Reports and the first calls
In Massachusetts, a crash with an injury or more than $1,000 in damage must be reported to the RMV within 5 days (M.G.L. c. 90 § 26). Rhode Island requires a report to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 21 days (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-6). Most policies also require prompt notice to your own insurer. The other driver’s insurer may call and ask for a recorded statement. You don’t have to give one.
- Days 2 to 14
Treatment and records
See a doctor even if you feel fine, and follow the treatment plan. Keep every bill, receipt, and note of missed work. In Massachusetts, your own Personal Injury Protection coverage pays the first medical bills and lost wages, up to at least $8,000 (M.G.L. c. 90 § 34A).
- Days 7 to 30
The early offer
A quick settlement offer often arrives before you know how badly you were hurt. A signed release usually ends the claim for good, so don’t sign one until you know the full extent of your injuries.
- Day 30 and on
Building the claim
Medical records, wage losses, and repair and diminished value documents come together into a demand. Most injury claims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts must be filed within three years, and claims against a city, town, or state can have much shorter notice deadlines.
What a claim can include
Six kinds of loss we document
Every case is different, and not every loss applies to every claim. Tap a tile to see what it covers.
What’s at stake
The insurance company moves fast after a car accident. An adjuster calls, sounds reasonable, and puts a number on the table before you even know the full extent of your injuries. That number is designed to close your file, not to make you whole. Once you sign a release, that’s it. The claim is gone, regardless of what comes next medically or financially.
We represent people injured in car accidents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, sideswipes, pedestrian accidents, and accidents involving commercial vehicles and rideshare drivers. We handle the insurer so you can focus on recovering.
Situations we handle
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are the most common accident type in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Liability is often clear, but insurers routinely dispute the severity of injury, particularly soft tissue injuries like whiplash. We document the medical reality and fight the insurer’s attempt to minimize it.
Intersection and T-Bone Crashes
Side-impact collisions frequently result in serious injuries. Liability disputes over who had the right of way or whether a light was red are common. We investigate the scene, gather traffic camera footage, and work with accident reconstruction experts when the facts require it.
Commercial Vehicle and Truck Accidents
Accidents involving commercial trucks, delivery vehicles, and fleet cars involve multiple liable parties. The driver, employer, vehicle owner, and sometimes the cargo loader could all be at fault. These cases also involve federal trucking regulations and commercial insurance policies with higher coverage limits. We handle the full scope of commercial vehicle liability.
Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents involve a layered insurance structure that determines which policy applies based on whether the driver had the app on, had a passenger, or was between rides. We work through that structure to identify the policy (and the coverage limit) that applies to your claim.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims
When the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your losses, your own UM/UIM coverage may apply. Massachusetts requires uninsured motorist coverage, and in Rhode Island it is included unless you rejected it in writing. We pursue UM/UIM claims against your own insurer, which is an adversarial relationship when it comes to the value of your claim.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Knockdowns
Pedestrians and cyclists struck by vehicles suffer disproportionately severe injuries and face insurers who often dispute liability aggressively. We represent pedestrians and cyclists with thorough documentation, firm negotiation, and trial readiness.
When the other driver’s insurer calls
What do I say to the adjuster?
The other driver’s insurance adjuster is not on your side. Here is what they often ask, and a simple way to answer. Tap a question.
“Can we record your statement?”
“No, thank you. Please send any questions to my attorney.” You are not required to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m getting treatment.” Saying “I’m fine” to be polite can be used later to argue you weren’t hurt.
“What happened? Whose fault was it?”
“I’d rather not discuss the accident. My attorney will be in touch.” Fault is decided from the evidence, not from a phone call.
“Can you sign this medical authorization?”
“I’ll have my attorney review it first.” A broad authorization can open your whole medical history, not just this injury.
“We can pay you today if you sign a release.”
“I’m not ready to settle. Please put any offer in writing.” A release usually ends the claim for good, even if your injury turns out to be worse.
“Do you have a lawyer?”
“Yes. Here is their name and number.” Once you have counsel, the adjuster should deal with your attorney.
This is about the other driver’s insurer. Your own policy may require you to cooperate with your own insurance company. General information, not legal advice.
Our approach
Police reports, photos, witness information, dashcam footage, and traffic camera records disappear fast. We move quickly to secure everything that documents how the accident happened and who was at fault.
Once we’re involved, you stop talking to the insurer. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. What you say to them, and when, affects the value of your claim. We manage all communication from the first call through final resolution.
Medical records, treatment costs, lost wages, and the impact on your daily life all have to be documented and presented in a way that supports each part of your claim. We work with your medical providers to build that record.
Most people have no frame of reference for what their case is worth. We account for medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and diminished value to your vehicle. We look at every category of loss before we put a number on your claim.
We negotiate with the case already prepared for trial. From the start, we make clear that a low offer is not the end of the conversation and that we are ready to file suit if it comes to that.
We try cases. When a claim cannot be resolved on fair terms, we are prepared to take it to a judge or jury, and we build every case with that possibility in mind.
Every auto accident case with significant vehicle damage includes a potential diminished value claim, which is the reduction in your car’s market value that persists after repairs. We pursue both the personal injury and diminished value claims from the same accident simultaneously. Learn how vehicle diminished value works.
What happens next
From the first call to the work itself.
We answer
When you contact us, you are not entering a queue.
What we do. Call 401-621-9700 or request a consultation online. We take your details and check for conflicts of interest before we discuss your matter.
What to prepare. Your contact details, and the names of anyone else involved, such as the other driver, business, or insurer.
We listen
We will give you honest answers about where you stand and what your options are.
What we do. An attorney reviews what happened, the documents you have, and any deadlines that may apply, then talks you through your options.
What to prepare. The accident or incident report, your insurance information, and a list of the doctors or providers treating you.
We fight
We prepare every case as though it’s going to trial.
What we do. If you decide to hire the firm, we confirm the engagement and get to work, and you know who is handling your matter.
What to prepare. Keep any new notices, letters, or court papers and send them to us as they arrive.
Every matter is different, so the steps and how long each one takes vary.
Who handles this work
Luke DiLibero, J.D.
Associate, admission pending
Personal injury and vehicle damage claims · Criminal defense and civil litigation support
View profileClient reviews from Google
I couldn’t be more impressed with Delibero and Associates. From my very first consultation, they were attentive, professional, and genuinely cared about my case. Dylan took the time to explain every step of the process and kept me informed the entire way. Their expertise and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that I was in excellent hands. What stood out most was their compassion, they treated me like a person, not just a client. The entire team worked efficiently, communicated clearly, and delivered results that exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for a law office that combines deep legal knowledge with true dedication to their clients, I highly recommend Delibero and Associates. They turned a stressful situation into a positive outcome.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Michael MarzilliOne of the best experiences i’ve ever had legally was with this firm! Lisa and Dylan are extremely professional and determined to get you a desirable outcome! They kept me well informed throughout the entire process and were nothing but professional, understanding, and helpful. I will always recommend this firm due to its staff’s dedication to getting you results that matter!
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Elaina MOur go to! We have utilized DiLibero & Assoc for a few years now and highly recommend. They are easy to reach, operate in a timely manner, and in each instance- they guided us and handled our situations surpassing our expectations. So grateful to always know exactly where to turn! And to actually get resolution. On top of that being treated with dignity and respect- definitely minimizes the stress when going through difficult predicaments.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Aimee ZwolinskiTrustworthy, professional, and knowledgeable. DiLibero & Associates took the time to explain everything clearly and always made me feel informed throughout the process. Their honesty, responsiveness, and attention to detail gave me confidence every step of the way. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for legal representation they can trust.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Tony LevadaI had a great experience working with Dylan. He helped guide me through a situation I was dealing with involving a car dealership, and from the start he was professional, knowledgeable, and very easy to work with. Dylan took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I understood my options every step of the way. Even though the situation didn’t require anything overly complicated, it was clear that Dylan really knows his stuff and genuinely cares about helping his clients. He was responsive, straightforward, and made the entire process much less stressful. I would absolutely recommend Dylan to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy attorney. Thanks again for your help!
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Stephensilva SilvaReviews describe individual clients’ experiences. Every matter is different.
Read all reviews on Google (opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Don’t accept any offers before talking to an attorney. Early settlement offers are designed to close your file before you know the full extent of your injuries, and before you understand what your claim is actually worth. Once you accept and sign a release, that claim is permanently closed regardless of what happens next.
Yes, particularly if you sought any medical treatment. Soft tissue injuries, concussions, and other injuries that feel minor at first can develop into more significant problems over weeks or months. An attorney can help you make sure you don’t close a claim before you know what you’re actually dealing with. The first conversation is free.
Generally three years from the date of the accident in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14; M.G.L. c. 260 § 2A). Missing the deadline can mean losing the right to recover.
Rhode Island follows a pure comparative negligence rule (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4): you can recover even if you were mostly at fault, with your damages reduced by your percentage of fault. There is no automatic cutoff. Massachusetts follows a modified comparative-fault rule (M.G.L. c. 231 § 85): you can recover only if your share of fault is not greater than the defendant’s (50% or less). We assess fault honestly at the first consultation.
Depending on the facts and the state, you may be able to recover medical expenses from the accident, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the cost of care that insurance hasn’t covered. If your vehicle lost value as a result of the accident, diminished value may be recoverable in addition to repair costs. We account for everything when we value your claim.
Both states make uninsured-motorist coverage available; in Rhode Island, it must be included unless you reject it in writing (R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-7-2.1), and Massachusetts includes compulsory UM (M.G.L. c. 175 § 113L). A UM/UIM claim is against your own insurer, an adversarial posture when it comes to the value of your claim.
