Auto Accident Injury in North Dakota

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in North Dakota? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in ND that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in North Dakota

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The North Dakota Department of Transportation reports that 100 individuals died on state roadways in 2019. This number represents a five-year low. Nevertheless, according to NDOT statistics, males were about 2 1/2 times more likely to die in a car crash in North Dakota than women.

Data from the NDOT also reveals that 3,147 individuals sustained injuries in motor vehicle accidents in the state that year. Because car crashes are a leading cause of both injury and death in the Peace Garden State, state officials have implemented a Vision Zero program to improve traffic safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and others.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Section 39-08-09 of the North Dakota Vehicle Code requires motorists to alert authorities if any of the following happen in a motor vehicle accident:

• Someone dies
• Someone sustains an injury
• There is property damage of $1,000 or more

Failing to comply with North Dakota’s accident reporting rules may result in a suspension of driving privileges or even criminal charges. To ensure individuals comply with these notification requirements, North Dakota law requires body shop personnel to report possible accident-related vehicle damage.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the cost of all traffic deaths in North Dakota was roughly $152 million in 2018. This number is consistent with a nationwide increase in the cost of emergency medical care. That is, according to reporting from USA Today, the cost of ER visits has climbed more than 175% in the last few years.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in North Dakota

Liability Laws for ND

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

North Dakota has a modified comparative negligence statute. This means you may receive compensation for the injuries and property damages you sustain in a car accident, provided you are not more than 50% responsible for the crash. That noted, North Dakota is a no-fault jurisdiction.

Statute of Limitations in ND

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In North Dakota, the statute of limitations for a negligence-based car accident claim is six years. This means you likely have six years from the date of the accident to file a claim.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In North Dakota

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in ND!

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