What to do After a Collision | RI Division of Motor Vehicles

RHODE ISLAND’S TITLE LAW HAS CHANGED Effective March 1, 2024

The Rhode Island DMV will no longer be accepting photocopies, images, or electronic copies of titles.
All new registration and/or new title transactions will now REQUIRE THE ORIGINAL TITLE to be submitted to the RI DMV at the time the transaction takes place.
Your lienholder or leasing company can send the original title to the RI DMV, ATTN: Research Office, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 or to you directly. We highly recommend that the title and other documents are sent with tracking information to enable customers and lienholders to know when the title was received.
As long as your contact information (name, address, phone and e-mail) is included with the title, the RI DMV will contact you once your original title has been received so you can complete your transaction. Be advised that this process can take several weeks for the original title to be sent to the RI DMV. Please also be advised that the RI DMV cannot request a title from a lienholder or lease company.
A VIN check is required for all transactions involving an Out-of-State title/vehicle.
Reservations are required for all visits. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
For more information on RI’s new title laws, and new requirements for registration and title transactions, CLICK HERE and scroll down.

What to do After a Collision

Try to stay calm.

Stop your vehicle immediately.

Remain at the scene of the collision and make your identity known to any interested person. Severe penalties are imposed against drivers who choose to leave the scene of a collision (‘hit and run’) without properly identifying themselves.

Report all collisions to the nearest state or local police immediately.

Request rescue assistance if personal injury is involved.

In the event of a minor collision, if possible, drive your vehicle off to the side of the roadway and notify the police.

If you collide with or do damage to a parked vehicle or other property, you must leave your name and address in writing attached securely to such vehicle or property so that the owner may find it when he/she returns to their vehicle or property. Also, report the collision to the nearest state or local police immediately.

A collision involving personal injury or property damage in excess of $1000.00 must additionally be reported to the police.

A police report is required if:

Someone is injured in the collision.

Property damage is over $1,000.

You hit an unattended vehicle.

You hit a domesticated animal.