Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 31-25-28. Liability for damages from oversize or overweight

(a) Any person driving any vehicle, object, or contrivance upon any highway or highway structure shall be liable for all damage which the highway or structure may sustain as a result of any illegal operation, driving, or moving of the vehicle, object, or contrivance, or as a result of operating, driving, or moving any vehicle, object, or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weight, or over the maximum dimensions in this chapter but authorized by a special permit issued as provided in this chapter.

(b) Whenever the driver is not the owner of a vehicle, object, or contrivance, but is so operating, driving, or moving it with the express or implied permission of the owner, then the owner and driver shall be jointly and severally liable for the damage.

(c) Damage may be recovered in a civil action brought by the authorities in control of the highway or highway structure.