Rhode Island § 31-34-4 § 31-34-4. Liability of owner for negligence of operator.

Rhode Island Statutes

§ 31-34-4 — § 31-34-4. Liability of owner for negligence of operator.

Rhode Island § 31-34-4

Title 31Motor and Other vehicles

Ch. 31-34Responsibility of Owners of Rental Vehicles

This text of Rhode Island § 31-34-4 (§ 31-34-4. Liability of owner for negligence of operator.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Rhode Island primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-34-4 (2026).

Text

§ 31-34-4. Liability of owner for negligence of operator.
(a) Any owner of a for-hire motor vehicle or truck who has given proof of financial responsibility
            under this chapter or who in violation of this chapter has failed to give proof of
            financial responsibility, shall be jointly and severally liable with any person operating
            the vehicle for any damages caused by the negligence of any person operating the vehicle
            by or with the permission of the owner. Nothing in this section shall be construed
            to prevent an owner who has furnished proof of financial responsibility or any person
            operating the vehicle from making defense in an action upon th

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

§ 31-34-4. Liability of owner for negligence of operator.

(a) Any owner of a for-hire motor vehicle or truck who has given proof of financial responsibility under this chapter or who in violation of this chapter has failed to give proof of financial responsibility, shall be jointly and severally liable with any person operating the vehicle for any damages caused by the negligence of any person operating the vehicle by or with the permission of the owner. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an owner who has furnished proof of financial responsibility or any person operating the vehicle from making defense in an action upon the ground of contributory negligence to the extent to which the defense is allowed in other cases.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, or any provisions contained under this title to the contrary, the valid and collectible liability insurance or self-insurance providing coverage or liability protection for third-party liability claims arising out of the operation of the rental vehicle shall be primary for the lessor or any person operating the motor vehicle, with the express permission of the lessor unless otherwise stated in at least ten-point (10) type on the face of the rental agreement. That insurance or self-insurance is primary only up to the limits required under § 31-47-2(13)(i)(A).

(c) "Lessorâ€� includes any entity in the business of renting motor vehicles pursuant to a written rental agreement.

Legislative History

P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 20, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-34-4; P.L. 1965, ch. 214, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 353, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 115, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 117, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 219, § 6; P.L. 2004, ch. 224, § 6; P.L. 2005, ch. 137, § 6; P.L. 2021, ch. 398, § 6, effective July 14, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 399, § 6, effective July 14, 2021.