Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 31-7-6. Long arm jurisdiction

(a) The acceptance by a nonresident of the rights and privileges conferred by chapters 1 -- 27 of this title, as evidenced by the operation of a motor vehicle by the nonresident, his or her servant or agent, or the operation by a nonresident, his or her servant or agent, of a motor vehicle on a public highway in this state other than under said chapters, shall be deemed equivalent to an appointment by the nonresident of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles or his or her successor in office, to be the nonresident's true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all lawful processes in any action or proceeding against the nonresident or his or her executor or administrator, growing out of any accident or collision in which the nonresident, his or her servant or agent, may be involved while operating a motor vehicle within this state. Acceptance or operation by the nonresident shall be deemed a signification of the nonresident's agreement that any such process against the nonresident or his or her executor or administrator which is served as provided in this chapter shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served on the nonresident personally.

(b) This section shall also apply to a foreign corporation and to any resident of the state who becomes a nonresident prior to the commencement of an action against the corporation or resident, or his or her executor or administrator, growing out of any accident or collision in which that person or his or her agent may have been involved while operating a motor vehicle within this state.