College Move-In Accidents: Pedestrians, Delivery Vehicles, and Dorm Injuries

College move-in day is busy. You’ll meet your new roommates, explore campus with friends and family, and start to learn the ins and outs of your new home. Move-in day can also, however, bring crowded streets, heavy traffic, delivery vans, moving carts, and unfamiliar drivers into a small area.

Around Brown University, Providence College, Rhode Island School of Design, and Johnson & Wales University, thousands of students might be walking, driving, parking, unloading, and carrying boxes at the same time. Under these hectic circumstances, even a small careless action or unsafe property condition can cause a serious injury in seconds.

When you suffer an injury on campus, it’s important that you know where to turn for help. The Providence personal injury attorneys at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell are here to investigate the accident, determine who can be held liable, and assist you in seeking the compensation you need to make the fullest recovery.

Talk to a Providence Personal Injury Attorney for Free

Call Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell at (401) 273-8330 to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our attorneys. Based in Providence, our lawyers help injured students and their families throughout Rhode Island.

How College Move-In Day Can Become Dangerous

Many colleges create detailed traffic and parking plans for move-in day. Brown University, for example, has used street closures, parking restrictions, and temporary one-way traffic patterns during move-in. Providence College assigns move-in windows to help control traffic flow. The College also asks families to only bring one car to reduce traffic as much as possible.

Even with careful planning, however, move-in day can be full of hazards. Some of the most common incidents include:

Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian accident can happen when:

• A driver turns through a crosswalk without looking
• A van backs toward a dorm entrance
• A parked truck blocks the view of an approaching vehicle
• A driver opens a door into a pedestrian or bicyclist
• A vehicle speeds through a temporary traffic pattern
• A driver is watching a phone instead of the road

The Providence personal injury attorneys at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell carefully examine driver conduct, traffic patterns, video footage, and witness statements to build a clear picture of the collision.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Move-in day motor vehicle crashes may involve:

• Drivers stopping suddenly to unload
• Double-parked cars on narrow streets
• Vehicles turning from the wrong lane
• Drivers backing out of crowded parking areas
• Cars striking parked vehicles
• Rear-end crashes
• Drivers distracted by phones or navigation systems
• Vehicles obstructing a driver’s view
• Drug or alcohol use

Even a low-speed crash can cause a serious injury. We look at how these injuries impact your life in total to determine how much compensation you may be due.

Delivery Vans, Moving Trucks, and Rental Vehicle Accidents

Potential causes of van and truck accidents include:

• Backing out without checking mirrors or blind spots
• Failing to use a spotter in a crowded loading area
• Stopping in an active travel lane
• Leaving ramps or dollies in pedestrian paths
• Failing to secure furniture or other cargo
• Driving while distracted
• Operating a large rental truck without enough experience
• Blocking sidewalks, crosswalks, and emergency routes

These cases often involve more than one party and can quickly become complicated. Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell has the experience and resources to identify the people and businesses whose conduct may have contributed to the accident.

Dormitory and Residence Hall Accidents

Common dorm injuries may involve:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Damaged stairs
• Loose or missing handrails
• Poorly lit hallways
• Broken elevators
• Overloaded moving carts
• Boxes or cords left in walkways
• Furniture that tips or falls
• Heavy objects dropped on stairs
• Temporary ramps that shift or collapse

The attorneys at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell know how to investigate unsafe-property cases and hold responsible parties accountable when a preventable dorm hazard causes harm.

Injuries Aren’t Limited to One Specific Time of Year

Accidents on and around campus are not limited to move-in day. If you’re injured while at university in Providence or anywhere in Rhode Island, we’re here to help. Our firm has been helping injured people pursue justice for nearly 50 years.

Who Might Be Responsible for a College Move-In Accident?

Responsibility for a college move-in day accident depends on where and how it happened. Potentially liable parties may include:

• The driver of a passenger vehicle
• A delivery or moving truck driver
• A commercial driver’s employer
• A moving or delivery company
• A college or university
• A private dormitory owner
• A property or management company
• A cleaning or maintenance contractor
• A furniture or equipment manufacturer
• Another student, parent, or campus visitor

The party responsible for an accident isn’t always immediately obvious. A college may own a building but hire another company to maintain it. A delivery driver may work for a contractor rather than the company whose name appears on the package. Several parties may have contributed to the same injury.

The Providence personal injury attorneys at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell investigate these relationships and work to identify all liable parties. When necessary, we work with various outside experts and specialists to help ensure no contributing factors are overlooked.

What to Do After an Accident on a College Campus

The steps taken after an accident can help ensure your safety and preserve important evidence for your personal injury lawyer.

When possible:

• Report the accident to campus security or building management
• Contact campus or city police if vehicles, a bicyclist, or a pedestrian are involved
• Take pictures of the scene and surrounding areas from multiple angles
• Get photos or video of vehicles, stairs, floors, ramps, or other involved hazards
• Record license plates and company names
• Ask witnesses for their contact information
• Exchange insurance and contact information if a motor vehicle is involved

Reports from Providence or campus police can assist in understanding the initial assessment of an accident. Campus and business security cameras can also contain valuable information. Your personal injury attorney will work to gather this and other important evidence to help build the strongest claim for compensation.

Why Hire a Campus Injury Attorney?

An injury on a college campus, during move-in day or at any time, can leave you facing medical bills, missed classes, lost income, and more. Our Providence personal injury attorneys can help by:

• Investigating the accident scene
• Locating witnesses
• Requesting surveillance footage
• Reviewing police and campus incident reports
• Identifying every potentially responsible party
• Examining delivery, maintenance, and employment records
• Consulting qualified experts when needed
• Documenting the full effects of your injury
• Standing by your side throughout the legal process

For nearly five decades, Mandell, Boislaire & Mandell has stood behind injured people and their families throughout Providence and Rhode Island. Our attorneys are attentive, thoughtful, and directly involved in the cases we pursue. If you’ve been hurt, we’re here to listen to your story, help you understand your options, and guide you toward the best path forward.

Contact a Providence Personal Injury Attorney for Free

To schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, contact us online or call our Providence office today. Based in Providence, we serve all of Rhode Island and nearby areas of Massachusetts.