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When you or a family member suffer a serious injury in Williston or anywhere in North Dakota, a very stressful and complicated process begins. Insurance companies and lawyers representing the other side will immediately begin contacting you about your injury case in an attempt to pressure you and to get you to take a small settlement to go away. When your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you need equal representation on your side to ensure that you are protected and that your personal injury claim will be successful in covering all your damages, both current and future.
After a personal injury caused by the negligence of a motor vehicle driver, shopping center, apartment manager, or anyone else who had a duty to keep those around them safe, the best thing you can do is to hire an experienced Williston personal injury firm.
North Dakota, like every other state, protects its citizens with laws that hold negligent parties responsible for injuries they cause another person. Although an accident or injury can occur in literally hundreds of ways or situations, the most common types of personal injury cases tend to be:
After one of the common types of personal injury claims in Williston, contacting an experienced North Dakota personal injury firm can be your best chance at getting compensation to prevent your physical injuries from becoming financial nightmares.
If you’ve been involved in a personal injury accident, such as a car accident or slip and fall, it’s likely that you suffered an injury of some kind. Injuries can vary greatly in range, from minor to severe and life-threatening. Severity levels may also vary depending on the type of injury that you’re involved in. For example, car accidents often result in minor to severe injuries, while construction injuries may lean more severe.
Common injuries that are caused by personal injury accidents include the following:
Insurance companies always pretend like they are there for their customers in a helpful and meaningful way. But this is an extremely deceptive advertising practice.
In fact, insurance companies keep their profits high and costs low by diminishing, delaying, or denying their client’s claims so that they can keep as much of their trillions of dollars in premiums as profit.
To make sure that personal injury victims do not end up hiring an attorney who will help them get the right amount of compensation they need, insurance companies will often intervene early with phone calls and low-ball offers in an attempt to intimidate or entice their clients into dropping the case or taking a small fraction of the money they are owed.
The experienced personal injury lawyers at Sand Law PLLC have a strong reputation with insurance companies for having a bite behind our bark; in essence, they know we will take them to court if they try to give our clients less than you deserve.
The insurance companies have a team of lawyers working on their side, and so should you.
Damages refer to monetary, physical, and psychological losses caused by a personal injury or negligence-based accident. The most common damages in a personal injury case include:
Damages in a North Dakota personal injury case fall into two main categories: Special and General Damages.
Special damages are damages that can easily have a monetary value placed on them, like medical bills. They are easier to prove: just show the medical bills. Other special damages include lost wages, repair or replacement of damaged property, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
General damages are damages that are harder to calculate into dollar amounts, like pain and suffering, loss of a spouse, and PTSD.
Sand Law routinely handles personal injury cases involving the following situations in Williston and across North Dakota:
The statute of limitations in North Dakota can be quite short on injuries and wrongful death claims, so do not hesitate to contact a team of personal injury lawyers you can trust.
North Dakota limitations laws set a time limit of 6 years for personal injury cases and 2 years for wrongful death cases. These time limits usually begin counting down as of the date the accident or injury occurred or was noticed.
Sand Law protects clients in Williston, Williams County, and across North Dakota who have been injured due to another’s negligence. Our team of experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys are passionate about representing North Dakotans in their time of need.
We have offices conveniently located across North Dakota in Watford City, Minot, Williston, and Bismarck.
Contact Sand Law today to schedule your free consultation by calling 701-609-1510 or by filling out our contact form.
North Dakota is a major trucking hub, exporting and importing goods all over the state. The volume of oil and gas that North Dakota produces means getting that product to market, most often through the use of commercial trucks. These trucks are driving through major cities and small towns, on major highways, and on small backroads. This increased amount of truck traffic on North Dakota’s roads increases the chances of a serious truck accident that causes serious and life-changing injuries and damages.
Truck accident cases often involve multiple at-fault parties and serious injuries. The most common at-fault parties in semi-truck accidents are the shipping company, the company that loaded the goods, the truck driver, and the truck manufacturer, all of which may be liable for the damages and injuries caused by truck and trailer accidents.
The experienced North Dakota truck accident attorneys at Sand Law PLLC are here to help you through this difficult time with real compassion for the victim and expert litigation against the at-fault parties.
Semi-truck accidents are often more dangerous than car accidents simply because of the weight and size of large commercial vehicles. Victims are more likely to have multiple injuries, such as various broken bones or bruising. More severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injuries, are more common, as well.
Traumatic brain injury is a type of head injury that is caused by blunt force trauma to the head. This can occur when the point of impact is near the victim, or when the victim jolts around because of the force of the impact. TBI can be expensive to treat. Patients often have complicated treatment plans that require multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, and medication.
Spinal cord injuries are similar in their severity and cost. Paralysis can occur as a result. It may be incomplete (a portion of the body) or complete (the whole body). If you’ve been paralyzed by a truck accident, you may be able to receive compensation for any changes you need to make to your home, such as adding wheelchair ramps or other accessibility functions. You may also be able to receive compensation for any in-home care you might need.
Any injury, unfortunately, is likely going to cost you. Even the simplest of broken bones can be over a thousand dollars without insurance coverage. However, with the right attorney, you can receive the compensation that you deserve for your medical bills and more.
North Dakota truck accident cases always seem to have a common thread when it comes to causation. In fact, over the many hundreds of truck accident cases that come across the desks at Sand Law, a few common causes of truck accidents stand out.
The most common causes of commercial truck accidents are:
Both the US government and the State of North Dakota have regulations in place to help prevent serious truck accidents. These regulations are often strict and adamantly enforced because it is a well-known fact that trucks are extremely dangerous in certain conditions. These regulations, at the state level, are controlled by the North Dakota Department of Transportation and are intended to increase safety for both truck drivers and other drivers on the road.
Investigating a semi-truck accident in Williston, North Dakota, requires a heavy emphasis on the investigation process being done correctly and thoroughly. The North Dakota Truck Accident Attorneys at Sand Law PLLC investigate every commercial and 18-wheeler truck accident as in-depth as possible in order to determine the following:
The investigation phase of any truck accident case is often the most important. It requires significant resources on the part of the hired truck accident law firm to be able to utilize their network of experts and investigators, has the resources available to ensure the investigation is thorough and transparent, and be able to convert that investigation into understandable graphics and presentations to show to the jury.
Semi-truck accidents often involve suing more than one party, known as a third-party claim.
The reason a truck accident claim often involves the use of a third-party claim is simple: usually, multiple people or companies are responsible for the truck accident.
For example, the truck driver may have been breaking a law. The trucking company may have known its drivers were failing to follow state or federal regulations, and the manufacturer of the truck may have known there was a defective part.
In the above example, all three of these parties could possibly be held liable for their part in the truck accident and thus be responsible for the resulting financial damages and injuries to the victim.
Many North Dakota truck accident lawsuits require the use of an expert witness, or multiple expert witnesses, to establish the cause of the truck accident and to verify the injuries the accident caused. The use of expert witnesses will help your legal team establish credible evidence, which is critical to getting a favorable outcome in an ND truck accident case.
Sand Law may use, depending on the case’s details, the following types of expert witnesses when trying a truck accident case:
There are two different types of damages that you can receive compensation for, economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages include:
Non-economic damages include:
The amount of compensation that you receive for your truck accident case will depend on the severity of your injuries, the total value of your economic damages, and the amount your quality of life has changed because of the accident and your injuries.
In North Dakota, semi-truck and trailer accidents, unfortunately, occur far too frequently. Because of the physics involved, when a massive, many-ton truck hits a small, relatively lightweight car, the outcome is usually devastating for the motor vehicle driver. Regular cars are simply no match for big rigs.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or were killed by a commercial truck and semi-truck in Williston, Williams County, or anywhere in North Dakota, do not hesitate to contact the personal injury attorneys at Sand Law PLLC.
The longer the wait, the more the evidence in your case will diminish and the harder it will be to pursue effectively. Contact us today by using our online contact form or by calling us at (701) 609-1510 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We look forward to helping you and your family get started on the path to recovery, both physically and financially.
Bicycles are a great transportation for short distances, for some exercise, or if you don’t have access to a car or public transportation. According to the CDC, “Bicycle trips account for only 1% of all trips in the United States. However, bicyclists face a higher risk of crash related injury and deaths than occupants in motor vehicles.”
Each year, there are roughly 500,000 bicycle related injuries and over 1,000 fatalities in the US. While bicycling is a great alternative to driving or taking public transportation, it does come with unique risks.
Children between 5 and 14 years old are at the highest risk from non-fatal bicycle accident injuries. This accounts for more than one-third of accidents that occur every year in the United States.
Most bicycle accidents occur because of an error on the part of a motor vehicle, including things like failure to yield, distracted driving, failure to see cyclists approaching an intersection, backing over cyclists, running red lights or stop signs, failure to use turn signals, aggressive driving, or driving under the influence.
The CDC states that 37% of bicycle accidents involved alcohol consumption by either the driver of the motor vehicle or the cyclist. Alcohol use is also associated with more severe injuries and higher mortality rates. These accidents often involve negligence, as the motor vehicle driver is often unaware of the accident they are about to cause.
Liability determines who was at-fault for the accident and can affect the compensation that the parties involved may receive. For example, someone who’s at-fault may receive more compensation than the party that wasn’t at-fault.
However, in some cases, the liability may fall on someone other than the two parties involved in the accident. For example, a cyclist could file a claim against an at-fault driver’s insurance company for a motor vehicle accident.
Likewise, the company responsible for maintaining roads may be at-fault if the accident occurred because of poor road conditions. In some conditions, hazardous road conditions may be due to government fault. Similarly, if the accident occurs in a commercial parking lot, the business may be at-fault for not maintaining their property.
A cyclist may be able to file against the manufacturer if the bicycle’s design led to an accident. In some cases, the negligent party may be the company that repaired the bike.
Determining liability can be tricky, especially when there are many parties in question. The amount of damages you can recover from an accident is linked to liability. If you’re completely at-fault, you may not receive any compensation and may even have to pay the opposing party.
If you share fault with the other party, compensation may be split between the both of you. However, liability gets more complicated when there are more parties involved. An experienced attorney will be able to help you figure out just how much you should expect in compensation based on your involvement in the accident.
If you’re riding a bicycle frequently, you want to make sure that you’re taking all the safety precautions necessary to ride safely. If you get into an accident and you aren’t wearing a helmet, your injuries could be much worse. Depending on your state, they may also be able to use it against you in court.
When it comes to safety, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re wearing reflective material when riding at night. If people can’t see you, they could crash into you. Overall, just make sure that you’re following the necessary safety precautions when riding your bicycle.
If the accident was the fault of the motor vehicle driver, their insurance typically covers the injuries of the cyclist. If you have personal injury protection coverage, you may also be eligible to receive damages from your own auto insurance. Medical insurance may be able to help you cover the damages of your injuries as well, but it depends on your coverage.
Bicycle accidents can result in injuries that are mild to severe. The compensation you are entitled to is related to the severity of your injuries. Because severe injuries have the potential to lead to scarring, disfigurement, or disability, you may also be entitled to receive compensation for loss of wages and loss of use.
The damages that you can recover are similar to those you would be able to recover if you were in a car accident. An attorney will be able to properly assess your injuries, medical bills, and loss wages to help you determine just how much compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today. Our attorneys here at Sand Law have a wealth of experience when it comes to dealing with bicycle accidents, and they are standing by to help you with your case. For more information, contact us online or at 701-394-4744.
Offices in Fargo, Watford City, Williston, Bismarck, and Minot
Bicycles are a great transportation for short distances, for some exercise, or if you don’t have access to a car or public transportation. According to the CDC, “Bicycle trips account for only 1% of all trips in the United States. However, bicyclists face a higher risk of crash related injury and deaths than occupants in motor vehicles.”
Each year, there are roughly 500,000 bicycle related injuries and over 1,000 fatalities in the US. While bicycling is a great alternative to driving or taking public transportation, it does come with unique risks.
Children between 5 and 14 years old are at the highest risk from non-fatal bicycle accident injuries. This accounts for more than one-third of accidents that occur every year in the United States.
Most bicycle accidents occur because of an error on the part of a motor vehicle, including things like failure to yield, distracted driving, failure to see cyclists approaching an intersection, backing over cyclists, running red lights or stop signs, failure to use turn signals, aggressive driving, or driving under the influence.
The CDC states that 37% of bicycle accidents involved alcohol consumption by either the driver of the motor vehicle or the cyclist. Alcohol use is also associated with more severe injuries and higher mortality rates. These accidents often involve negligence, as the motor vehicle driver is often unaware of the accident they are about to cause.
Liability determines who was at-fault for the accident and can affect the compensation that the parties involved may receive. For example, someone who’s at-fault may receive more compensation than the party that wasn’t at-fault.
However, in some cases, the liability may fall on someone other than the two parties involved in the accident. For example, a cyclist could file a claim against an at-fault driver’s insurance company for a motor vehicle accident.
Likewise, the company responsible for maintaining roads may be at-fault if the accident occurred because of poor road conditions. In some conditions, hazardous road conditions may be due to government fault. Similarly, if the accident occurs in a commercial parking lot, the business may be at-fault for not maintaining their property.
A cyclist may be able to file against the manufacturer if the bicycle’s design led to an accident. In some cases, the negligent party may be the company that repaired the bike.
Determining liability can be tricky, especially when there are many parties in question. The amount of damages you can recover from an accident is linked to liability. If you’re completely at-fault, you may not receive any compensation and may even have to pay the opposing party.
If you share fault with the other party, compensation may be split between the both of you. However, liability gets more complicated when there are more parties involved. An experienced attorney will be able to help you figure out just how much you should expect in compensation based on your involvement in the accident.
If you’re riding a bicycle frequently, you want to make sure that you’re taking all the safety precautions necessary to ride safely. If you get into an accident and you aren’t wearing a helmet, your injuries could be much worse. Depending on your state, they may also be able to use it against you in court.
When it comes to safety, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re wearing reflective material when riding at night. If people can’t see you, they could crash into you. Overall, just make sure that you’re following the necessary safety precautions when riding your bicycle.
If the accident was the fault of the motor vehicle driver, their insurance typically covers the injuries of the cyclist. If you have personal injury protection coverage, you may also be eligible to receive damages from your own auto insurance. Medical insurance may be able to help you cover the damages of your injuries as well, but it depends on your coverage.
Bicycle accidents can result in injuries that are mild to severe. The compensation you are entitled to is related to the severity of your injuries. Because severe injuries have the potential to lead to scarring, disfigurement, or disability, you may also be entitled to receive compensation for loss of wages and loss of use.
The damages that you can recover are similar to those you would be able to recover if you were in a car accident. An attorney will be able to properly assess your injuries, medical bills, and loss wages to help you determine just how much compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today. Our attorneys here at Sand Law have a wealth of experience when it comes to dealing with bicycle accidents, and they are standing by to help you with your case. For more information, contact us online or at 701-394-4744.
Offices in Fargo, Watford City, Williston, Bismarck, and Minot
All different types of accidents can result in many different types of injuries. Some of these injuries can be quite severe and one of the most serious injuries we see at Sand Law PLLC are traumatic brain injuries, also known as TBIs. A traumatic brain injury is defined as any trauma to the head that causes the brain to not function normally, either temporarily or permanently. Sand Law’s TBI lawyers know that for TBI victims, a head injury is a lot more than a simple definition. They are extremely disruptive, painful, and debilitating; which is why we are passionate about helping North Dakotans get the compensation they need after a TBI caused by negligence.
If you’ve suffered a TBI or serious head injury in North Dakota due to another’s negligence, contact the experienced TBI lawyers at Sand Law PLLC today by calling 701-394-5396 for a free consultation.
A traumatic brain injury (commonly abbreviated, TBI) is defined as damage to the brain caused a hit or blow to the head. Commonly brain injuries occur during car crashes, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, and sports injuries.
A TBI can be something more common, like a mild concussion, all the way to severe permanent brain damage that has serious consequences and may even result in death. Depending on the type and severity of brain injury, one may find themself on bedrest or being rushed in life-saving surgery.
Brain injuries can lead to physical disabilities, and emotional problems, cognitive delays, loss of abilities, and changes in emotions and personality.
No matter what the cause or severity of a TBI, one thing is for sure. If you suffer a brain or head injury, you will have serious medical bills, lost wages, and all kinds of other costs that will put a financial strain on you and your family.
If you suffered a TBI due to another’s negligence, you do not have to take on these costs by yourself. If your brain injury occurred in North Dakota, contact the experienced brain injury attorneys at Sand Law PLLC. We are here to help!
TBIs commonly occur during:
Every victim has different reactions to a TBI, including physical pain, sensory issues, or cognitive disabilities. These symptoms can last a few week, a few years, or for a lifetime. Clearly, brain injuries are one of the most serious injuries someone can suffer, since the brain controls everything.
To understand TBIs, it will help to understand how medical professionals often classify them.
TBIs are classified by medical professionals as mild, moderate, and severe. These terms, however, can be misleading since a “mild” TBI can still have serious repercussions on one’s life.
According to Northeastern University, the classifications for TBIs are based on the following symptoms:
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, symptoms of a traumatic brain injury often include:
These symptoms may be experienced with a mild TBI, but they may also be experienced with moderate or severe TBIs, just with enhanced symptoms. This might mean that instead of occasional headaches, the TBI victim suffers from constant headaches.
The damages caused by head injuries, and the resulting TBI, can be caused by different situations, like:
The first thing you should do is seek medical attention right away. The brain is an extremely sensitive and important organ; any injury to your head or brain should be treated seriously. Explain all your symptoms to your healthcare professional and agree to any and all testing.
Your doctor may bring in a specialist to assess your physical injuries, brain and nerve functioning, and level of consciousness.
Once you have ensured that you medical needs are taken care of, consider contacting an experienced Traumatic Brain Injury attorneys in North Dakota. TBI cases are complicated and require extensive resources to get proper compensation for current damages and future damages that may arise.
Be sure to keep all your records, medical bills, gather witnesses, and keep track of any changes in your symptoms. It is also important to consider which people in your life could testify to changes in your behavior, memory, or mood, like a spouse or parent.
TBIs are serious, but they are also an “invisible” injury so proving the injury and the damages it has caused will require the expertise of a serious personal injury legal team.
Sand Law protects clients in Williston, Williams County, and across North Dakota who have suffered a TBI due to an accident caused by another’s negligence. Our team of experienced and dedicated TBI attorneys are skilled at helping traumatic brain injury victims get the compensation they deserve, even the injury cannot be “seen” by the insurance company or jurors.
Our offices are conveniently located in Watford City, Minot, Williston, and Bismarck to serve all of North Dakota. Contact Sand Law today to schedule your free consultation by calling (701) 394-5396 or by filling our our contact form. We look forward to speaking with you.
In the US, more than 38% of households own at least one dog. This statistic—which equates to more than 48 million households—is important in understanding just how common contact with a dog is for most people. In fact, approximately 5 million people are bitten by a dog each year in the United States. That is a lot of injuries that are often overlooked by insurance companies and the population at large as “not serious”. But as someone who has ever been attacked by, say a German Shepard, before knows, it is very serious.
The Center for Disease Control reports that any given American has a 1 in 50 chance of being bitten by a dog in their lifetime. Of those incidents, 1 in 5 require medical attention for their bites.
These statistics stand to prove that dog bites are common and they can and do cause damages and injuries. This means medical bills, lost time off work, and a plethora of other small costs like medications, driving time, surgeries, etc.
If you were injured by a dog attack or bitten by a dog requiring medical attention, we strongly encourage you to speak to a North Dakota dog bite attorney in order to better understand your rights, options, and potential for financial compensation. There’s no obligation during a free case evaluation, so speak to a Williston injury attorney at Sand Law today.
Dog bites can cause a range of injuries, from a little scratch to serious, life-changing paralysis. Below are some of the most common injuries that result from a dog attack or bite.
North Dakota does not have a specific personal injury statute that deals with dog bite injuries. Instead, North Dakota injury attorneys refer to a previous case (known as case law) to prove dog bite cases. The case that most North Dakota personal injury attorneys refer to is known as Sendelbach v. Grad. This case allows attorneys to prove that dog bite victims deserve compensation because a dog bite injury fits within the standard negligence laws in North Dakota.
Attorneys use this case to argue that dog bite owners have a ‘duty of care’ to prevent their dog from attacking and biting other people. One this is proved, the attorney can then use this information to prove that the negligent act (allowing the dog to bite someone) directly caused that person damages and thus deserves compensation.
Sand Law PLLC is experienced in handling dog bite cases in Minot and across North Dakota. Our aggressive dog bite attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and get compensation for your dog bite injuries, so contact us today for a free consultation.
A statute of limitations is a time limit for legal cases. The law requires personal injury attorneys to file a claim with the court within a specific amount of time to ensure that the trial is fair, evidence is still reliable, and witness testimony is still accurate.
North Dakota’s statute of limitations for dog bite claims is the same as other personal injury claims: 6 years from the day the injury occurred.
This may seem like a long time, but the deadline’s importance is not a simple matter of whether or not someone filed within the six years. Instead, every day, week, or month delayed is more ammunition for the defense to claim that the injury or damages are not serious. The typical argument goes something like, “if they were really injured and in need of money to pay their medical bills, why did they wait to two years to file a claim?”
Of course, there are many reasons that someone may wait to file a claim, but in general, the sooner the better.
As we mentioned above, North Dakota doesn’t have a specific law relating to dog bites. Instead, the precedent set by other personal injury cases and the North Dakota Supreme Court case of Sendelbach v. Grad set the standard of negligence in North Dakota in regard to dog bite injuries and damages.
In order to receive compensation for any damages caused by dog attack in North Dakota, you must prove three things:
Courts rely on a concept known as reasonable care to decide whether a dog owner’s had a responsibility to restrain, train, or control their dog so that it wouldn’t attack anyone or cause damage in some other way. The court asks: did the dog owner take reasonable care to prevent the dog from hurting someone?
Although North Dakota doesn’t have a specific dog bite statute, other laws can still be used to prove win compensation for injuries caused by a dog. For example, if a dog bites a woman while they are jogging in the park, and the dog wasn’t on a leash, then an attorney can use local leash laws to prove that the owner was negligent.
Comparative negligence is commonly used in North Dakota personal injury cases that weighs the injured person’s fault for their own injuries versus the fault of the other party. For example, a dog owner’s lawyer may attempt to reduce or deny a dog bite injury claim by using comparative negligence to claim that the injured person was partly or totally to blame for the dog attack.
Using comparative negligence, the judge or jury decides what percentage each person is at fault and reduces the damages by the percentage of fault assigned to the injury victim, assuming the dog bite victim is not more than 49% at fault, in which case they are not eligible for any compensation.
Sand Law has helped hundreds of dog bite victims across North Dakota get the compensation they need to fully recover from their injuries. We have assembled a team of experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys who are skilled and passionate about representing victims of negligence in all types of personal injury matters, including dog attacks.
We have offices conveniently located in Watford City, Minot, Williston, and Bismarck. We also have a vast network of resources and witnesses that we can employ if necessary to help make a client’s case as strong as possible, helping to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Contact Sand Law today to schedule your free consultation by calling (701) 609-1510 or by filling our our contact form. We look forward to helping you and your family in your time of need with compassion and understanding.
Losing a loved one is never easy, but losing a family member to preventable negligence or an avoidable accident can make the situation so much worse. The emotional pain of the loss can make everything seem more stressful and complicated, especially when financial hardship begins to rear its evil-head.
Pursuing legal action after a wrongful death–though it may seem like an odd process to pursue during a grief process– it may ultimately be the only way to ensure your own future is not ruined due to the negligence of another.
The wrongful death attorneys at Sand Law PLLC help families get the compensation they need and deserve at an avoidable wrongful death to secure their futures for the surviving family.
Let’s look at North Dakota’s definition of a wrongful death, the types of damages available in a wrongful death claim, the statute of limitations, and who is eligible to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit in North Dakota, including Williston and Williams County.
North Dakota’s wrongful death statute Section 32-2 defines wrongful death as a: “wrongful act, neglect, or default” of person that leads to the death of a victim.
Basically, a family would have a valid wrongful death claim if the deceased person would have had a valid personal injury claim if they have survived. Wrongful death claims are almost always brought by the deceased’s family or their estate to help them to get the compensation they need in this painful and desperate time.
The damages that wrongful death families suffer, can affect their lives in ways that can make an already awful situation worse. After your husband, for example dies, the only thing that can be worse is watching your children suffer because you cannot afford to feed or clothe them without your husband’s income.
Filing a wrongful death claim helps to ensure that both the deceased’s and the family’s interests are protected.
A wrongful death claim allows the family or estate of a deceased person to seek money damages in order to help rebuild their lives and get back on track financially after the devastating costs that often come with a death in the family.
North Dakota wrongful death claims often have two specific types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
These losses caused by a wrongful death case must be proven in court or settled during the negotiation process. This means either a jury will decide what compensation is deserved; or the two parties will agree on a monetary amount before a lawsuit is filed on their own.
Hiring an experienced Williston wrongful death attorneys can help you and your family get the compensation you need to begin moving forward. Sand Law will give you the space to grieve while we handle the stressful legalities of your case so that the situation–which we know is painful–can be made just a little easier.
A wrongful death claim in Williston, Williams County, and anywhere in North Dakota has a statute of limitations (or time limit) of 2 years. This countdown states from the date of the death.
A wrongful death lawsuit should be filed as soon as possible to help protect evidence, ensure witnesses are still available, and to preserve the validity of the case.
The following parties can file a wrongful death claim in North Dakota. These parties are listed in order of who has the first right to file”
This means that the spouse of a deceased person has a right to file a wrongful death lawsuit before the surviving children–and so on. If a spouse if not alive or chooses not to file, then the surviving children are next in line to file the claim.
Sand Law helps clients in Williston, Williams County, and across North Dakota who are dealing with the painful loss of a loved one due to negligence in a wrongful death situation. Our team of experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys represent our clients with compassion in their time of need.
We have offices across North Dakota in Watford City, Minot, Williston, and Bismarck to help ensure that we our conveniently located near you. Of course, if your situation prevents you from coming to us, we will come to you.
Contact Sand Law today to schedule your free consultation by calling (701) 609-1510 or by filling our our contact form. We look forward to helping you and your family in your time of need with compassion and understanding.
Hiring an experienced North Dakota Criminal Defense attorney is the best way to ensure that your freedom or public criminal record are not left up to chance. A criminal charge can and will haunt you for the rest of your life, so choosing a defense lawyer that can thoroughly protect your rights and give you a superior defense is imperative.
Criminal defense is protected right of citizens who are accused of a crime at the state or federal level of the justice system. In order to be convicted of a crime in North Dakota, or anywhere in the US, the prosecution team must be able to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to prevent emotions or feelings from being the reason a person’s freedom is taken away.
Criminal offenses are obviously those acts which violate some type of law. Criminal offenses are often categorized into two different severity types:
A felony is a crime that is more serious in nature. They are the most serious type of offense and can either be classified as violent or nonviolent.
Each state, including North Dakota, has different punishments for different types of felonies. However, felonies generally are punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, usually in a state or federal prison, or extensive probation and fines.
Felonies can include offenses as:
A person may also lose some or all of their civil liberties if they are charged with a felony like losing their right to vote or ability to own a gun.
Felonies are divided into different degrees: third degree, second degree, and first degree, with first degree being the most serious.
A misdemeanor crime is more serious than a citation, like say a traffic ticket, but less serious than a felony. Misdemeanor are usually punishable by up to one year in a county jail, or probation, house arrest, or fines.
Other punishments for misdemeanors may also include community service, mandatory drug and alcohol counseling, anger management classes, restitution, electronic monitoring, etc.
Misdemeanor crimes can range from DUI violations, to certain types of assault and battery, theft, and possession of a controlled substance.
Misdemeanors are divided into different degrees, such as third degree, second degree, and first degree. First degree is the most severe, and third degree the least severe.
Criminal defendants in North Dakota have several constitutional rights that are designed to protect them from unfair proceedings.
The most important of those rights is that the State prosecution has a responsibility to prove a defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” It is not the defense’s responsibility to prove that the accused did not commit the crime. Instead, the prosecution must prove that they did commit the crime.
The Williston Criminal Defense Attorneys of Sand Law PLLC in North Dakota have been defending the rights of the accused for more than 30 years.
We have extensive experience trying many different types of cases in all levels of criminal courts, including federal, state, and juvenile. It is Sand Law’s mission to be a voice for the voiceless. So, if you have been charged with a crime in North Dakota, contact us today and begin to rest assured that you have a vigorous and effective defense team on your side.
Our criminal defense team is made up of former prosecutors and board certified defense attorneys. We combine our knowledge and years of experience to give our clients the best advantage possible.
Some of the types of cases we handle include:
When you are accused of a crime, put into handcuffs, and taken to jail, it is stressful to say the least. It is almost certainly stressful for the accused’s family as well. One of the most comforting things you can do right away is retain counsel to help ensure that your rights are protected from the very beginning.
If you were arrested in Williston, Williams County, or anywhere in North Dakota, understand that there could be serious repercussions, including permanent loss of your freedom, if you do not get legal representation asap.
Sand Law PLLC represents clients in Williston, Watford City, Bismarck, Minot, and across North Dakota. Our clients come from all walks of life. From first time offenders to those with an extensive criminal past. From everyday people to celebrities, judges, professional athletes, and politicians.
Early intervention by a legal team representing your interests is crucial in proactively preventing your case from being controlled by the police and prosecutors. That’s why we take every possible measure to be available 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 
To contact us, use our online form or call us today at (701) 609-1510 to talk to a defense attorney in Williston immediately. We value your privacy and keep all information strictly confidential.
Car accidents are often caused by human error, otherwise known as negligence. When someone makes a mistake not intending to cause harm, this is called negligence. Texting while driving, speeding, road rage, and many other common causes of car accidents is negligence.
In 2019, the most common causes of car accidents were speeding, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence. To prove that someone has acted with negligence and is therefore at fault for your accident and injuries, you’ll need evidence that showcases the following:
After you have been involved in a car accident, especially one in which you were injured or think you may have injuries, it is extremely important to take certain steps to protect yourself and your family in the future.
Make no mistake about it, your insurance company, and the other driver’s insurance company, are definitely not on your side. They are on the side of profits and will do anything they can to delegitimize your claim. In order to protect yourself, one of the first things you can do is begin to document the evidence of your Williston car accident.
Be sure to create a folder where you can keep each and every record that pertains to your accident injury case. For example, keep copies of medical records, police reports, documents from your insurance companies, correspondence with anyone regarding your claim, and a log of time spent on the phone, time at doctor’s offices, and so on.
Car accidents are extremely stressful and expensive events. They are always unexpected and almost always threaten to ruin, or serious disrupt, someone financially, emotionally, or physically. Getting compensation for your car accident damages is the best way to ensure that you and your family are not suffering years later because of the accident.
Sand Law will work with you, your insurance company, the insurance adjusters, and any other liable parties to help you recover for your damages. Williston car accidents often leave victims with all kind
s of bills and damages, for example:
After you’re injured in a car accident, you may be concerned about how much debt you’ve accumulated. From medical bills, to lost wages, pain and suffering, and more, the money can really add up. A talented attorney with experience working on car accident cases can ensure that you get the high settlement or trial win that you’re looking for. We know that compensation won’t solve all of your problems, but we hope that it can help take the weight off of your shoulders while you focus on relaxing and recovering from the accident.
Medical expenses include ambulance rides, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, hospital visits, surgery costs, costs associated with labs, x-rays, and more. Any medical expense that you incur because of the injuries you sustained in the accident may be recoverable. Severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury will have many costs associated with them and more expenses compared to a more mild injury.
You can receive compensation for any money that you lose while out of work because of your injuries. More severe injuries may keep you out of work for months. And those lost wages can add up quickly. You can also recover damages for loss of earning capacity. If your injury prevents you from being able to do your job, you can receive compensation for that.
Pain and suffering is a non-economic damage that is given out based on how much one’s life was affected by their injuries. Basically, the amount is decided based on one’s quality of life before and after the accident. For example, an avid runner with injuries that caused a permanent disability would receive more in pain and suffering than someone who lived a sedentary lifestyle and has injuries that they’ll recover from.
Pain and suffering damages also look at things like loss of consortium. If you lost a partner because of the accident (occasionally, the stress of the accident, bills, and more can cause a partnership to split), you can receive further compensation.
While rare, punitive damages can be awarded based on how negligent the at-fault party was in causing your accident. Punitive damages are used as a way to further punish the at-fault party by awarding you a greater sum. Punitive damages may be awarded in drunk driving cases where the at-fault party’s blood alcohol content level was very high or in accidents where the at-fault driver had road rage or intentionally caused the accident.
In car accident cases, the property damage is most often the damage to your vehicle. Your own personal insurance will often cover the total amount of damages or even cover the complete loss of the vehicle. But in the case that they can’t, you can recover damages for the damage to, or the loss of, your vehicle.
There are many different types of injuries associated with car accidents. Additionally, someone can suffer more than one type of injury at the same time. More severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, can be more costly and life-changing. Whereas smaller injuries often don’t require as much treatment and can be easier to recover from.
TBI (or traumatic brain injury) is caused by an object striking or penetrating the head with great force. Traumatic brain injuries can cause severe brain damage, coma, vegetative state, and death. TBIs can also be minor, such as a concussion.
A more severe type of brain injury is called a coup/contrecoup injury. These occur when the brain moves around inside the skull, causing damage at the site of the blow (coup) and the opposite side of the skull (contrecoup). Damage on the opposite side of the skull occurs when the brain moves forcefully, slamming against the skull.
Brain injuries often require long-term treatment and can be very expensive. Other injuries may be present alongside a brain injury, such as burns or broken bones.
Neck and back injuries include herniated discs, whiplash, lumbar sprains, spinal stenosis, and joint injuries. Back injuries often require physical therapy or surgery. Depending on how the speed of the cars involved in the accident, back injuries can range from mild to severe. If you have a history of back problems prior to the accident, your injuries may be more severe.
Spinal cord injuries are serious since they can cause paralysis. The higher up the damage is on the spinal column, the more serious the injury will be. Paralysis may be complete or incomplete. Complete paralysis refers to function that has been completely lost below the site of the injury. By contrast, incomplete paralysis refers to only a partial loss of function that has occurred.
Spinal cord injuries can be expensive as there’s no cure for spinal cord damage. Treatment options include surgeries, physical therapy, and injections. Treatment may be lifelong.
Car accidents often result in broken bones, which generally aren’t too serious. A clean break will be set in a cast to heal. However, a more severe break may require surgery before setting it into a cast to heal. If you’ve endured multiple different breaks, you may require physical therapy.
Burns from car fires can cause serious damage to the skin. To repair burned skin, a skin graft may be used. However, you may be left with disfigurement or scarring because of the burn. More severe burns are at risk for infection, and deep burns can cause nerve damage.
Soft tissue is the connective tissue between your bones and muscles, including skin, connective tissue, fat, ligaments, and tendons. Common soft tissue injuries include whiplash, soft tissue sprains or strains, contusions, and lacerations. Minor soft tissue injuries require rest, ice, compression, and elevation to help the pain subside. More severe injuries may require immobilization, physical therapy, or surgery.
In crush accidents, it’s possible to have a limb amputated. Limbs can be amputated at the scene of the accident or later on at the hospital if the limb cannot be saved.
Internal injuries include damage to the organs and internal bleeding. These injuries can be dangerous, as many don’t realize they have them until it’s too late. Internal injuries most often require surgery to repair the organs or stop the bleeding.
Ensuring that you have a good attorney-client relationship can go a long way in making you feel comfortable during what can be an arduous process. The attorneys at Sand Law PLLC promise to treat you and your family with the utmost respect while ensuring that we are zealous and relentless when dealing with those who were negligent in causing your injuries.
Other law firms treat clients like another number in the books; we treat our clients like an important and integral part of our lives–because you are. Without our clients, we couldn’t do what we do, and because of that, we are grateful and go out of our way to show it.
Sand Law’s attorneys are more than just your average personal injury attorneys. We are made up of trial lawyers that have real courtroom experience and a proven track record of getting our clients fair and just compensation for their injuries and damages.
Do not wait to reach out to an attorney. The longer the wait, the more evidence will be lost, and the greater your chances are of the insurance companies using the delay against you.
If you or a loved one were injured in a North Dakota car accident, or you believe that a car accident caused the wrongful death of your loved one, contact Sand Law PLLC today for a free consultation. We can be reached by clicking on the chat box on this page, by filling out our online contact form, or by calling us at (701) 609-1510. We look forward to hearing from you.
Our reputation is reflected in client and peer evaluations, along with numerous accolades and awards, such as: