§ 31-7-6 - Long arm jurisdiction. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 31-7-6

   § 31-7-6  Long arm jurisdiction. – (a) The acceptance by a nonresident of the rights and privileges conferred bychapters 1 – 27 of this title, as evidenced by the operation of a motorvehicle by the nonresident, his or her servant or agent, or the operation by anonresident, his or her servant or agent, of a motor vehicle on a publichighway in this state other than under said chapters, shall be deemedequivalent to an appointment by the nonresident of the administrator of thedivision of motor vehicles or his or her successor in office, to be thenonresident's true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all lawfulprocesses in any action or proceeding against the nonresident or his or herexecutor or administrator, growing out of any accident or collision in whichthe nonresident, his or her servant or agent, may be involved while operating amotor vehicle within this state. Acceptance or operation by the nonresidentshall be deemed a signification of the nonresident's agreement that any suchprocess against the nonresident or his or her executor or administrator whichis served as provided in this chapter shall be of the same legal force andvalidity as if served on the nonresident personally.

   (b) This section shall also apply to a foreign corporationand to any resident of the state who becomes a nonresident prior to thecommencement of an action against the corporation or resident, or his or herexecutor or administrator, growing out of any accident or collision in whichthat person or his or her agent may have been involved while operating a motorvehicle within this state.