Anyone who’s been in a serious car accident will never forget the experience. Whether it happens on a slick North Dakota highway in winter or out of the blue on a perfect spring day, the consequences are often horrible. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you’ll want expert legal representation to make sure you get everything you have coming when you file a personal injury claim.
Sand Law attorneys will do just that. We can calculate how much your claim will be worth. And we’ll work passionately to make sure you obtain fair compensation for your injuries. Our track record speaks for itself. We have decades of experience among 0ur team. And we’ve helped a lot of clients get significant amounts of money.
We’ll do everything we possibly can to do the same for you. If you would like to learn more about us or you’d like a free review of your case, just contact us online or give us a call at 701-609-1510.
Most people might think that a car accident is a car accident, but there are actually some significant differences between different kinds of collisions. Here are just a few.
Just like there are many types of car wrecks, there are many reasons these wrecks happen. Three of the most common are reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving. The following is a closer look at each.
Most accident injury claims focus on one driver. That is the one whose negligence resulted in the wreck. For example, it could be someone who committed one of the acts of negligence listed above.
However, sometimes there are multiple liable parties. These could include the manufacturer of a faulty part that failed, such as a poorly designed tire that blew out, or brakes that suddenly failed for no other reason.
A skilled attorney will know how to uncover the evidence needed to prove negligence, whether it’s a drunk driver, a negligent trucking company, or there is some other person or entity that shares liability. Your attorney will use that proof to make sure you recover your monetary losses. These losses are known as damages in legal terms.
Liability and negligence go hand in hand. To prove that someone should be held liable for your accident, you’ll need to be able to prove that they acted with negligence. If someone is liable, it means that they’re responsible for paying your damages. If someone is negligent, it means that they acted without proper care. Negligent parties don’t usually act with malicious intent, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t liable.
To prove liability, you’ll need to prove the following:
Most of the time, a car accident is nothing more than a minor fender-bender. There are often no injuries and only minimal property damage. Other times, a car wreck is devastating. And the effects can last a lifetime. These are just some of the different kinds of debilitating injuries car wrecks can cause:
Severe injuries not only result in an incredible amount of pain. But they can come with incredibly large medical bills and other expenses as well. This is yet another reason why you need a skilled attorney by your side. That attorney will do whatever they can to help you obtain compensation for not only your treatment but your suffering and other damages as well.
After a car accident, the steps you take can significantly influence the outcome of your personal injury claim. First and foremost, prioritize safety. Ensure you and any passengers are out of harm’s way, especially if you’re on a busy road.
Next, call the police, even if the accident seems minor. Their report can be a crucial piece of evidence. Document everything. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damages, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, gather their contact information.
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal injuries, might not manifest symptoms immediately. A medical record linking the accident to your injuries can be pivotal.
Inform your insurance company about the accident, but be cautious about giving recorded statements without consulting an attorney. Lastly, consider hiring a personal injury attorney. They can guide you through the complexities of the claim process, ensuring you don’t miss out on any entitled compensation.
Compensation after a car accident isn’t just about covering medical bills. It’s about ensuring you’re financially restored to where you’d have been if the accident hadn’t occurred.
Medical expenses are the most obvious claim, covering everything from immediate treatments to long-term therapies. Lost wages, both present and future, can be claimed if your injuries prevent you from working.
Pain and suffering compensation considers the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured. This can sometimes be the most significant part of a claim, especially for severe injuries that impact your quality of life. Property damage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal items damaged in the crash.
In some cases, you might also be eligible for punitive damages. These are awarded to compensate the victim and punish the at-fault party for reckless or malicious behavior. Always consult with an attorney to understand the full scope of what you can claim after a car accident.
Please get in touch with Sand Law if you or a loved one has suffered a severe injury in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Contact us online or call 701-609-1510 for a free consultation.
Although no one expects to be involved in a car accident, the most careful and attentive driver can be injured in a severe collision when others disregard traffic laws and safe driving practices. North Dakota had the highest percentage of drunk driving fatalities in the nation, according to government statistics in a recent one-year period.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported more than 4 in 10 driving fatalities involved a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) that exceeds the legal limit of 0.08 percent. If you have been the victim of a driver who was intoxicated, speeding, distracted, or otherwise unsafe, you might have a right to financial compensation. Our Minot, North Dakota, car accident lawyers protect the rights of injury victims against insurance companies while pursuing the fullest financial recovery for our clients.
We recognize the enormous physical and emotional toll of suffering a serious injury in an auto accident. Therefore, our lawyers help clients effectively navigate insurance company traps and legal complications. Also, insurance policies are dense, complex, and filled with exemptions, exclusions, and conditions.
On the other hand, the civil litigation process involves understanding and navigating civil procedural rules, substantive legal standards, court rules, legal deadlines, case law (e.g., judge-made law), statutes, evidentiary rules, etc. At Sand Law, PLLC, our motor vehicle accident attorneys are committed to demystifying the complex process of pursuing legal compensation. By doing so, we can keep clients informed throughout their cases and diligently work to obtain the best outcome for injury victims.
Our Minot, North Dakota auto accident lawyers have built a reputation among judges, peers, opposing counsel, and former clients based on proven results and dedication to providing a high-quality attorney-client experience. Sand Law, PLLC has a policy of striving to respond to client calls and emails the same business day or the next business day. We also provide periodic updates and copy clients on correspondence because we recognize the importance of effective client-attorney communication.
Our reputation is reflected in client and peer evaluations, along with numerous accolades and awards, such as:
Although you have the right to take on at-fault parties and their insurance companies on your own, car accident victims represented by experienced personal injury lawyers tend to fair much better than those who go it alone. An adjuster or investigator from the insurance company might contact you to arrange an in-person interview or recorded statement.
Be warned, the insurance representative’s goal is to obtain information that devalues your claim or provides a defense to partially or totally deny liability.
While results of cases will vary depending on numerous factors, insurance carriers are aware of industry studies that reveal claimants with attorneys recover as much as 350% more than individuals who handle their own claims. Insurers and their team of investigators, adjusters, experts, and lawyers are not motivated by a sense of fairness. Rather, their goal is to protect the financial interests of their employer by limiting the amount of money injury victims receive.
Experienced legal representation from a North Dakota car accident attorney benefits individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents in numerous ways, including but not limited to the following:
As many people who are involved in car accidents don’t have prior experience with lawsuits, it makes sense for the process to seem overwhelming and stressful. On top of that, it can be hard to decide when you should hire an attorney and when you can probably get by without one.
The best way to make this decision is to speak with an attorney. Most attorneys offer free case evaluations, and if they don’t believe that your case needs to be handled by an attorney—they’ll tell you.
If an attorney won’t give you a free case evaluation or won’t advise you on whether or not you really need an attorney, that’s a good indication that you should be running in the opposite direction.
However, in general, there are some circumstances that will help you determine whether or not you need to hire a car accident attorney. For example, if you weren’t injured in your car accident and the damage to your car is minimal, you’ll likely be able to handle it on your own, as you won’t have complicated damages or high medical bills to deal with. Or, if you have knowledge of law and insurance, you may also feel comfortable taking on your case alone.
The most important thing is how confident you feel. If you think you’re capable of taking on a smaller case without any outside help, by all means. However, larger, more complex cases will always benefit from an attorney. Attorneys have built connections within the industry, and they can use those connections to benefit you.
If you don’t feel confident about taking on your case alone, or you have high damages and injuries, hiring an attorney is your best bet. And if you’re unsure of whether or not you need an attorney, schedule a free case evaluation to get advice from an attorney in real time.
After you’re involved in a Minot car accident, it’s important to take the following steps.
If you or someone else involved in the accident have a serious injury, contact 911 (or allow someone else to contact 911 on your behalf) to receive emergency medical attention. If you’re unable to move, talk, or stay awake, emergency attention will likely be required.
If you can stick around at the scene of the accident, you should first contact the police to file a police report. Others may try to convince you not to get the police involved, but that would be a mistake. A police report provides solid evidence for your case. Some insurance companies may deny your claim without one.
Make sure to get the first and last names, best contact phone numbers, and insurance information of any drivers involved in the accident. Give them the same information.
You should take as many pictures as possible, as they can showcase how the accident occurred and even who is at fault. Take photos of your vehicle and other involved vehicles, as well as your injuries and the scene of the accident. For example, pictures could show skid marks, proving that a vehicle was speeding before coming to an abrupt halt.
If anyone witnessed the accident, make sure you talk to them. Get their contact information and let them know that someone may be in touch to speak with them about the accident. You should also encourage them to stick around to speak with the investigating police officer. A police report with a witness statement reflecting your story on it is powerful evidence.
After you’ve collected as much evidence as you can, you should then seek medical attention. Even if you don’t believe that you’re injured, you should still be examined by a medical professional. Even severe injuries may be masked by the adrenaline caused by car accidents. When you see a doctor, make sure to let them know that your injuries are because of a car accident. Tell them where you were in the vehicle and where the car was impacted.
Don’t talk to them about fault, even in casual conversation. Not seeking medical attention right after your accident can cause insurance companies to raise an eyebrow. They’d use this as an excuse to lowball your settlement, stating that your injuries must not have been serious if you didn’t receive medical treatment right away.
After you receive the medical treatment, you should immediately speak with an attorney regarding your case. This can be done from the hospital if you’ve been checked in for a more extended stay. You must talk to an attorney before filing a claim with your insurance company. Once you file a claim with your insurance company, both your insurance company and the at-fault party’s insurance company will want statements from you regarding the accident.
The at-fault party’s insurance company may try to offer you quick cash in exchange for your statement or the signing of a waiver. Do not give any statements without first speaking to your attorney, and do not accept any money or sign any documents.
Liability in most car accident cases is based on some form of negligent or reckless driving. While North Dakota law recognizes multiple degrees of negligence, “ordinary negligence” is defined as the “want of ordinary care and diligence.” The most common cause of traffic accidents is unsafe driving practices, such as:
When drivers speed, it makes it much harder for them to slow down when traffic changes. Even if they’re only going 10 mph over the speed limit, it makes a difference. Speeding can lead to rear-end accidents, sideswipe accidents, and t-bone accidents.
When the right-of-way rules aren’t observed, an accident may occur. These types of accidents often occur at four-way stops and turn that require a yield, such as right and left turns at red lights.
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol has a huge impact on one’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. Alcohol affects decision-making, vision, and critical thinking skills.
Distracted driving doesn’t just mean texting or talking on the phone while driving, but can also include eating, putting on makeup, looking for a playlist, looking for directions, or talking to someone in the back seat.
Running a stop sign or red light is dangerous, even if you think no one is coming. Running a red light or stop sign is a common cause of t-bone accidents.
You should always look to make sure that no one is in your blind spot before changing lanes. When someone doesn’t look, they may cause a sideswipe accident.
Illegal left-turn accidents tend to occur at intersections with a red arrow and can be extremely dangerous, especially when speeding. These may occur because the driver believes that turning on a red arrow is legal when it’s not.
When a driver doesn’t leave proper space between themselves and the car in front of them, an accident may occur when traffic conditions change abruptly, as the following driver doesn’t have time to adapt.
When the traffic, weather, or road conditions change, drivers should always adjust. This is especially true in poor weather conditions such as snow or heavy rain.
Using a phone, even for a few seconds, while driving can cause an accident easily, as it takes one’s mind and eyes off the road.
When someone drives tired, their reaction times are much lower, meaning they may fail to react to changing traffic conditions in time.
Our Minot auto accident lawyers work diligently to maximize our clients’ financial compensation. We accomplish this task by pursuing several strategies that include:
Even when a careless driver causes your injuries, the at-fault party might lack adequate insurance or assets to compensate you for your loss fully. To start this process begins with the initial consultation at the onset of our legal services. Then, our motor vehicle accident lawyers carefully investigate the potential liability of third parties.
These may include public entities that fail to design, construct, or maintain safe roadways; manufacturers of defective vehicles; employers of drivers on work-related outings; the vehicle owner; and others depending on the specific facts and circumstances.
Although North Dakota requires drivers to carry auto insurance, many motorists disregard this mandate or carry the bare minimum. The statutory minimum can prove woefully inadequate. The minimum bodily injury coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 for all injury victims.
When a person suffers a severe injury, this amount might not even cover medical bills. If multiple people are injured, the entire $50,000 in coverage could be exhausted before you file your claim. Therefore, we analyze other coverage, like umbrella policies or our client’s own uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage, to increase our clients’ “net recovery.”
While most auto collision claims settle without the need for a trial, we work hard to make a compelling case so that we can negotiate from a position of strength. However, we want insurance companies to know that we will not hesitate to take your case to trial if it is in your best interest.
Maximizing the amount our clients receive does not end once a settlement or judgment has been obtained. We negotiate with medical providers to secure reductions in medical bills so that our clients put more of their compensation in their pockets.
Our seasoned vehicle accident lawyers have handled thousands of car accident cases. We frequently use experts to analyze the accident scene, vehicle damage, the law enforcement accident report, and other evidence to craft a persuasive explanation regarding the cause of the crash and our client’s injuries. We have the experience and expertise to handle all types of car accidents, such as:
The number of traffic fatalities in North Dakota decreased in 2018, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol. However, vehicle collisions still claimed the lives of over a hundred people and caused severe injury to many more.
A significant number of serious injuries experienced in auto collisions do not immediately manifest serious symptoms. For example, a headache that might be attributed to the stress of the incident could be a symptom of a brain injury. Delays in seeking medical attention can adversely affect a person’s prognosis and compromise his or her financial recovery.
Car accident victims should visit a doctor following an accident, even if their symptoms seem minor. Additionally, all symptoms should be reported to the doctor. Further, the injured party should submit to all ordered diagnostic tests and imaging.
Some of the injuries we frequently see that can cause intense pain, long periods of recovery, and/or disfigurement or disability include:
These types of injuries include concussions, skull fractures, brain bleeds, and facial injuries requiring plastic surgery. Brain injuries can have devastating long-term consequences on cognition, sensation, mobility, mood, communication ability, personality, and many other physical and mental functions.
Broken bones can cause excruciating pain, require surgeries, and necessitate the implantation of screws and metal plates.
Serious burn injuries can lead to skin grafts, surgeries, permanent disfigurement, and intense pain.
When the spinal cord is damaged, an injury victim can suffer the loss of sensation and movement in the extremities. The affected areas of the body will depend on the severity of the injury and the location of the damage.
For example, tendons, muscles, and ligaments can be torn or strained in a collision. These injuries can be excruciating, requiring surgical repairs and long periods of rehabilitation to recover fully.
These types of injuries can be debilitating, causing recurrent pain or permanent damage. Common neck and back injuries include lumbar strains, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, degenerative spinal disorders, and more. Spinal cord injuries are severe, as damage to the spine can leave one paralyzed.
No amount of money can restore the love of a family member whose life is taken prematurely. However, compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit can ease the financial burden that accompanies the tragic death of a family breadwinner.
The word “damages” refers to any loss that you experience as a result of your accident and subsequent injuries. There are two different types of damages, special and general. You may also receive punitive damages.
Special damages or non-economic damages are losses that have a monetary value associated with them. They can be easily tabulated by gathering medical bills, lost wage documents from your employer, and other receipts.
General damages are harder to calculate, as they don’t rely on a specific monetary value but instead reflect the change to your quality of life that you may have experienced after your accident. The more your life has worsened because of your injuries, the more compensation you’re likely to receive.
When a loved one passes away because of the injuries they sustained from a car accident, either at the scene or later on because of complications, you can collect wrongful death damages on their behalf. You can claim damages for the special and general damages they experienced and the damages that you experienced because of their passing.
Punitive damages are rare but may occur when gross negligence is involved. This type of damages is awarded to the plaintiff to punish the defendant further. They’re also used to try and prevent the defendant (or similar parties) from committing the same act again in the future.
The most important factors that determine your claim’s worth are the severity of your injuries and your total damages. These two are very interconnected, as how bad your injuries are determined how much your damages are overall. The more severe your injuries are, the more you’ll have in medical debt and lost wages. Not only that but the more severe your injuries are, the more likely you are to experience a change to your quality of life, which will result in higher pain and suffering compensation.
Unfortunately, you can’t receive more in compensation than the at-fault party has available to give. However, if the at-fault party acted with gross negligence, you’ll receive punitive damages, adding to the total value of your claim.
And finally, whether or not you settle also has a huge impact on the amount of money you receive. In general, you can receive more money when you take your case to trial, but most cases don’t make it that far. You also will only receive compensation if you win, which can be chancy. It’s said that your settlement value is a percentage of your trial value based on the chance you have at winning your case.
For example, if your trial value is $300,000 (your total and highest possible value), and you have a 50% chance of winning your case if it were to go to trial, your settlement value would be 50% of your trial value, or $150,000.
Our personal injury attorneys at Sand Law, PLLC works diligently to take on insurance carriers and fight for our client’s rights and interests. Although the precise types and amount of compensation in your case will depend on your unique circumstances, some of the kinds of damages in car accident claims include:
Our traffic accident injury attorneys offer a free case evaluation so that we can review your claim, determine your legal rights, and advise you about how to protect your right to compensation. Call Sand Law, PLLC today at 701-609-1510 or email us for a free consultation as to your accident claim.
Even though a car accident is over in the space of a few seconds, the aftereffects can last for weeks or months. For some accident injury victims, the effects can be lifelong. North Dakota’s rate of auto accidents is higher than the national average, with one occurring almost every thirty minutes within the boundaries of the state.
Another facet of car accidents is the time it takes to navigate the legal avenues in seeking compensation for damages inflicted on you in the accident. Lawyers representing the other party in the accident can dispute your claim, denying you the reimbursement you are entitled to. Having a North Dakota car accident lawyer in your corner is key to coming out on top in a contentious claim case. The attorneys at Sand Law can help you take action against the responsible parties and get you the compensation you deserve.
A car accident often happens suddenly with little warning. The vast majority are the result of otherwise preventable human error. This is known as negligence on the part of the driver that causes the accident, and it is key to the argument you need to make in claims court.
Car accidents take many forms, with a wide range of severity:
A lighter collision, with no or minor injuries to the parties involved and minimal damage to vehicles. Though it may seem right to let such minor incidents slide, the damage incurred can still be expensive.
The severity of the average collision is dependent on a variety of factors, including the speed both cars were moving and road conditions such as rain or snow. If the driver that hits you is driving distracted (i.e., on their phone) or intoxicated, they are liable for the damage they do.
More often than not, accidents that happen on the highway are the most devastating to passengers and vehicles. Highway speeds equate to far more force when cars collide, leading to incredibly severe injuries.
Because of the size and weight difference between a typical passenger car and a commercial truck, accidents between the two are often serious. They can cause severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, and more. It can be trickier to determine fault in truck accident cases, as many parties could be liable for an accident.
Motorcyclists are extremely unprotected on North Dakota’s roadways. They have no exterior protection, no seatbelts, and are often overlooked. Because of this, accidents between cars and motorcycles can cause devastating injuries. Motorcycle accidents often cause road rash, causing potentially permanent damage to the skin.
Road rash occurs when skin scrapes against asphalt, leaving damage similar to an intense burn. Severe road rash requires a skin graft and is at great risk for infection and scarring. Motorcycle accidents most commonly occur because of improper lane changes, distracted driving, and driving under the influence.
North Dakota is well known for its oil industry jobs. And while working in the oil fields has its own dangers, the trucks that transport the oil and equipment can cause serious injuries too. Accidents on an oilfield include pad site accidents, injuries, explosions, hazardous materials accidents, slip and fall accidents, and wrongful death. These can lead to injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, and broken bones.
Crossing the road can be an extremely dangerous event. But most people cross roads like it’s no big deal. Motorists, too, often do not take crosswalks seriously enough. When a car hits a pedestrian, the result can be serious.
Bicyclists, like motorcyclists, are unprotected against the heavy steel of cars. When a car hits a person riding a bike, the cyclist is often left with life-long injuries.
Your employer may be liable for your injury if one or more of the following caused your accident:
Driving any type of vehicle requires one’s full attention. Therefore, anything that takes that attention away is considered to be a dangerous habit. However, dangerous habits don’t just include distractions. They also include shortcuts or bad habits that you have while driving. Dangerous habits include:
Any of these reasons is enough to hold a driver responsible for the accident due to their negligence.
If you’re involved in a car accident (whether you’re a passenger vehicle or a vulnerable road user), the injuries that result from these accidents are often serious and expensive. Car accident injuries can result in a huge change to one’s quality of life, requiring the victim to seek long-term treatment, such as surgeries, physical therapy, and medication use. Treatment options are different for different types of injuries, and some may require less treatment than others. However, even basic treatment in a hospital for a minor injury can run a person over a thousand dollars.
Common injuries associated with car accidents include:
After an accident, it’s important to take the following steps.
Have an EMT assess you on the scene of the accident to ensure you are not in any immediate danger from injuries you may have sustained.
Many people may try to argue that you shouldn’t file a report at the scene of the crime. However, this is a mistake. Filing a police report will provide your case with hard evidence from people who saw the aftermath of the accident. In some cases, your insurance company may deny your claim if a police report wasn’t filed.
Document the scene as best you can by taking plenty of pictures; a cell phone camera works perfectly for this. Take pictures of your car, the other cars involved in the accident, and any injuries you or your passengers have sustained. Collect personal information from the other parties in the accident, as well as from witnesses.
You should collect their full name and preferred method of contact, whether that’s their phone number or email. You should also ask them to stick around to speak with the investigating police officer about what they saw. A witness statement that shows the other driver was at-fault on a police report is incredibly sound evidence that can be hard to argue against in court.
These are vital for court proceedings in the future.
Even if you are cleared by EMTs at the scene, you should still be proactive and seek a full physical a few days after the accident. Sometimes damage from the accident does not become fully apparent until some time after the accident, such as the full extent of internal damage or whiplash.
You should not speak to any insurance companies until you have spoken to an attorney. Once you file a claim with your insurance company, they’ll reach out to the at-fault party’s insurance company, who will contact you. They will try to get you to give them a statement in exchange for quick cash or a small settlement. It’s important that you do not do this, as you can damage your lawsuit before it’s even begun.
Speak to a Bismarck car accident attorney for a free case evaluation. This is your chance to ask questions while also learning about your rights as a victim and your potential options.
Hiring legal representation for your lawsuit will improve your chances of receiving a higher settlement offer or a trial win. Additionally, it will also protect your legal rights and ensure that you can actually file a legal claim for financial compensation.
You can attempt to file a claim on your own to submit to the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, you will always have a hard time getting money out of them. They don’t care about paying you. And if you’re not willing to put in the effort to fight hard against them, you may never get paid. Hire an experienced attorney who knows how to get money out of insurance companies to do the dirty work for you so you can focus on relaxing and recovering.
The car accident attorneys at Sand Law can help you file an insurance claim against a negligent driver. These claims seek to recover compensation from the party that caused the accident to compensate for financial losses because of the following:
Insurance companies often seek to mitigate insurance payouts because of how high the amount can be. It is important to enlist a qualified car accident attorney to help you navigate the legal space and get the compensation you are entitled to.
Determining the dollar amount that you’ll receive from your car accident claim is not an easy task. There are many factors that influence your claim’s value, and negotiations to determine what your settlement will be can last for months. Your attorney may be able to give you a ballpark estimate of the compensation you could receive by the end of your case. However, this number may fluctuate over the course of your lawsuit if you receive more medical treatment or if your injuries worsen.
If you choose not to hire an attorney, your claim’s value won’t change—but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get the same amount an experienced attorney would be able to. Hiring an attorney is the best way to ensure maximum compensation, as they have years or decades of experience working with insurance companies.
Your claim’s value is based on a variety of different factors, such as:
While your attorney can give you a rough estimation of how much you can expect to receive by the end of your lawsuit, this number may change and isn’t guaranteed. Whether or not your case goes to trial also plays a large part in how much compensation you receive.
Your claim has two values, your trial value, and your settlement value. Your trial value is the total value of all of your damages, and your settlement value is often a percentage of that. That percentage is determined based on your trial value. For example, if you have an 80% chance of winning your case in trial, your settlement value would be approximately 80% of your trial value.
However, this, again, is just an estimation. Your attorney may be able to get you more than the percentage, or the insurance company may be unwilling to pay out more, leading to a trial. Every case is different, which is why it’s so important to speak with an attorney before making any decisions about your lawsuit.
For anyone who hasn’t filed a lawsuit or been involved in the legal process before, it can be overwhelming. Thankfully, your attorney will be able to walk you through the entire process, answering any questions you may have throughout.
The timeline starts when your accident occurs. It’s important to note when your accident occurs, as you only have a certain amount of time to file according to the statute of limitations. In North Dakota, you have six years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit if you so choose.
After your accident occurs and you receive medical attention, you should then hire an attorney. Once you have chosen an attorney, the discovery process will begin. During the discovery process (often the longest portion of your case), your attorney will:
After the discovery process, negotiations will begin. Most cases settle during this time period, but it can take anywhere from a few months to a year. This process will begin with your attorney making a demand. The insurance company will return with their offer, and they will go back and forth until your attorney gets a settlement offer that you are happy with. If this doesn’t occur, the case will be taken to trial.
When it comes to injuries resulting from a car accident anywhere in Burleigh County, you need an experienced team to advocate for you. You deserve compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, and our team is the best to help you get it. Contact our experienced truck accident lawyers at 701-609-1510, or fill out our online contact form today.
In 2017, there were over 15,000 automobile accidents in the state of North Dakota. In these accidents, there were over 4,000 injuries and over 100 fatalities. North Dakota has a higher accident fatality rate than the national average, with a fatality taking place at an average rate of 1 every 3 days.
This high car accident rate means that there are many residents that need an experienced, attentive lawyer who can help navigate the process of filing a claim for compensation. The process can be complicated and arduous. And the attorneys at Sand Law can help you seek the damages that you are entitled to.
An automobile accident occurs every half hour in North Dakota, on average. They are an everyday happening. And most of them are the fault of otherwise preventable human error. Most car accidents are caused by common causes such as:
Car accidents can result in a variety of different injuries. Some may be minor, only requiring simple treatment. Others may be more severe, requiring long-term treatment.
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons are all considered soft tissue. These are most common in the arms and legs. Whiplash of the head and neck is a type of soft tissue injury as well. The force of car accidents can also damage the soft tissue of the back, leading to muscle sprains. Soft tissue injuries often lead to chronic pain and can cause issues years after the initial injury.
Any objects loose on the inside of a car become a projectile in a collision. Items like cell phones, mugs or bottles, purses, books, and similar items will be flung around the inside of your car. They can easily cut your skin or cause other injuries. Some injuries may be serious enough to result in blood loss and require stitches.
As discussed above, muscle strain and whiplash can result from the sudden movements vehicles experience in accidents. But an impact on a side window or against the steering wheel can cause bruising and deep lacerations to the head. Closed head injuries are also possible. This is where tissue inside the skull is damaged by sudden impacts.
Your whole body is at risk in accident situations. Drivers can be slammed into the steering wheel. This can cause broken ribs or internal bleeding. Bruising can result from a seatbelt pulling taut across the chest. Side impacts can throw your arms or legs against the door and, in severe cases, can break the corresponding limb.
Injuries are not always obvious in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Sometimes it can take over a month for evidence of the injury to appear. For the sake of your safety and your claim in the future, seek medical treatment for even the earliest sign of an injury.
Unfortunately, car accident injuries can be expensive. Victims are often left with debilitating injuries and no way to pay their medical bills. Thankfully, by filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party (or your own insurance company), you can recover these damages in the form of compensation.
There are two types of damages that you may be able to recover, economic and non-economic. Economic damages include any monetary losses you’ve experienced, while non-economic damages cover any abstract losses.
Economic damages include:
Non-economic damages include:
In the case that a car accident causes the death of a loved one, you may be able to recover damages on their behalf. You can receive compensation for the above damages as well as funeral and burial costs.
The injuries that can result from a car accident can be life-changing, and if it is the result of fault or negligence on the part of another driver, you are entitled to the damages you sustain. It can be a tempting prospect to represent yourself in a claim seeking damages for an automobile accident, especially when faced with the prospect of repair and medical bills. What’s the benefit of hiring a lawyer on top of all that?
For one thing, experience is a must-have. Adjusters for insurance companies are there for the express purpose of settling claims for far less than they are truly owed. An experienced lawyer knows that insurance companies will often not offer an adequate settlement for claim cases and knows how to use the law to get an appropriate settlement.
When it comes to the injuries resulting from car accidents, you need an experienced team to advocate for you. You deserve compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, and our team is the best to help you get it. Contact our experienced truck accident lawyers at 701-609-1510, or fill out our online contact form today.
Motor vehicle accidents occur every day in North Dakota. There are many traditional factors, such as North Dakota’s often unpredictable weather, that play a factor in how many accidents occur during a given time. During the winter, snowstorms create hazardous driving conditions that can cause car accidents. Spring brings with it not only April showers but slick roads that can be bothersome for drivers. Summer and fall have their own effects on driver safety as well.
It’s true that over the years, safety improvements to both roads and vehicles have reduced the number of serious injuries compared with a few generations ago. However, new distractions such as texting and driving, the use of electronic devices while behind the wheel, and other negligent acts still cause serious, injury-producing motor vehicle accidents on a regular basis.
The car accident lawyers at Sand Law are experienced in fighting against insurance adjusters and defense attorneys to secure the compensation you deserve.
If you have been injured in a car accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses and injuries. In the law, we call these damages. Under North Dakota law, if you have been involved in a car accident and sustained damages – you can recover monetary compensation for pain and suffering, emotional harm, disfigurement, and humiliation.
You can also recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, and property damage. The best way to go about enforcing these rights is to hire a car accident lawyer who is familiar with the local court system. There are many ins and outs of the legal system that require the expertise of an experienced attorney.
At Sand Law, we always advise our potential clients that whether they hire us or another law firm – it is imperative to employ the services of a car accident attorney. Whether you were injured in a Grand Forks car accident or a collision in Williston, hiring capable legal representation is essential.
Many of our clients are worried that they will have to be dragged through a long, drawn-out trial. Others are nervous about testifying on the stand in court. The car accident lawyers at Sand Law are here to help you every step of the way and ease your mind.
We are the ones that fight for you in court. If you do have to testify, we prepare our clients for what to expect. You will not be surprised and will feel comfortable with how the process works.
At Sand Law, we pride ourselves on being a litigation law firm. Our approach to auto accident cases is to prepare as if a case is going to trial. However, the vast majority of car accident matters settle out of court prior to trial, either at mediation or at settlement conferences.
At Sand Law, PLLC, our car accident lawyers are determined to achieve positive results for our clients. Fighting the power of the insurance industry requires a proactive approach. We have the experience and knowledge of how adjusters and claims representatives approach their work to anticipate challenges. Insurance companies rely on lawyers to minimize their risk. We level the playing field by providing our clients with zealous advocacy and tenacious representation.
For many car accident cases or personal injury claims, you may be entitled to compensation for things such as lost wages and medical bills. Our team of auto accident attorneys will review your medical records, any police reports, and witness statements and gather evidence from videos to reconstructions as we build your case.
Our law firm has the resources and skills to fight for your best interests across the spectrum of motor vehicle accidents, including:
Insurance companies frequently delay settling injury claims. They know that as you recover, your memories about your current struggles and pain will fade. We work with clients to help them understand the nuances of battling the insurance industry to maximize compensation. We will guide you every step of the way as we prepare for the trial. A strong position at every stage of litigation is strong medicine in solving legal disputes over the harm you have suffered.
Car accidents can be devastating, leaving victims with injuries that could take months to years to recover from. Some people don’t recover from their injuries at all and are left with a disability. Car accidents can also leave people with minor injuries that may still cause pain and suffering, high medical bills, and more.
Traumatic brain injuries are very common in car accidents, as they occur when the head is struck or penetrated with great force. Types of brain injuries include concussion, contusion, anoxic brain injury, and coup, contrecoup, and coup/contrecoup injuries. Coup injuries occur when the head is struck, and the brain is damaged at the site where it was struck.
A contrecoup injury occurs when the brain shifts and strikes the opposing side of the skull, causing damage at the side opposite to the site of impact. A coup/contrecoup injury occurs when the brain shifts back and forth, causing damage at both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain. These injuries are often misdiagnosed, causing further problems down the road.
Spinal cord injuries occur when the back is struck with great force. This type of injury is incredibly common in rear-end accidents. The higher on the spinal cord the injury occurs, the more severe the consequences of the injury. Damage to the spine may cause either complete or incomplete paralysis. Complete paralysis means that the victim has lost all ability below the site of the injury. Incomplete paralysis refers to a partial loss of movement and sensory ability below the site of the injury.
There is no cure for spinal cord injuries, but they can be treated with different surgeries, injections, and physical therapy. The costs associated with spinal cord injuries can be very high and may last a lifetime.
Broken bones aren’t often serious but may require surgery if the break isn’t clean. A clean break can be set into a cast to heal, but a more serious break will need surgery to make sure that it’s set in the correct position before placing it in a cast. Serious breaks, like multiple broken bones or a bone broken in multiple different places, may require physical therapy after treatment to help the patient get used to walking again.
Burns can be caused by hot metals or a car fire. Serious burns require skin grafts and are at high risk for infection. They also leave the victim with lifetime scars. If the burn occurs near the airway, it could cause trouble breathing and death.
The most common type of soft tissue injury is whiplash. Whiplash is also one of the most common injuries associated with car accidents as it occurs when the neck moves back and forth rapidly. Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries can lead to chronic pain even after the injury has fully healed.
In the case of a catastrophic injury that leads to an amputated limb, a patient may need to spend money on prosthetics and even the cost of amputation. Amputation can occur at the scene of the accident or at the hospital if the limb is beyond saving.
Neck and back injuries include whiplash, a very common injury associated with car accidents, herniated discs, soft tissue injuries, and more. Back injuries can cause a lifetime of back pain and often require physical therapy or surgery to repair the damage.
Internal injuries, like damage to the organs or internal bleeding, often go undiagnosed. After an accident, you may feel a surge of adrenaline that masks the pain of injuries not visible. Internal injuries often require surgery to repair the damage to the organs or stop the bleeding. If left untreated, internal injuries can lead to fatality.
Crush injuries are fairly common in car accidents as the metal of the vehicle can warp when damaged by another car. This can cause limbs, most often the legs and arms, to be crushed. Crush injuries include multiple broken bones and amputation.
There are many different causes of car accidents. Sometimes the cause of an accident is a driver acting with negligence, like speeding or talking on the phone. The driver is doing something they don’t think will cause an accident. However, sometimes drivers are more grossly negligent, doing things that are knowingly risky, like drunk driving or aggressive driving.
Speeding most often causes read-end, sideswipe, and t-bone collisions. A driver may be speeding so fast that they’re unable to stop in time, rear-ending the driver in front of them. Depending on how fast they’re speeding, this could also cause a chain reaction accident, causing the person they hit to hit the car in front of them and so on. Speeding may also cause accidents if a driver is weaving in and out of lanes on the highway. Speeding while changing lanes can lead to a sideswipe accident if a driver isn’t paying close enough attention.
Distracted driving doesn’t just include texting. It also includes talking on the phone, using a GPS, talking to someone in the back seat, looking for something in the back seat, and generally doing anything that will keep your eyes, ears, and mind off the road. When people think of distracted driving, they most often think about physical distractions, like texting or eating, but mental distractions can cause crashes too. For example, daydreaming or just generally not paying attention can cause an accident to occur.
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher is considered drunk driving in North Dakota. Drunk driving is an incredibly dangerous act that puts everyone on the road, including the driver, at risk. Driving while intoxicated can cause slow reaction times and distraction. Drunk drivers may also have a hard time paying attention and tracking other cars on the road or get easily distracted by headlights, streetlights, and more.
Many people don’t think that driving while tired can cause an accident, but that’s completely untrue. Driving while tired is dangerous, as falling asleep at the wheel is a hazard for all drivers on the road. Tired drivers may close their eyes for just a second, not even knowing that they’re falling asleep, and then wake up because of a crash that they caused.
Reckless and aggressive driving includes road rage, cutting people off, and intentionally trying to hit other vehicles. An accident may occur if someone cuts someone off too quickly or even sideswipes their car on purpose. This is considered to be grossly negligent.
Rarely a car accident will occur because of a defective car part. This could mean failed brakes, a steering malfunction, or another issue with the car. In these cases, it could be the fault of the manufacturer of the vehicle. However, this is only true if the car has been kept in good condition by the driver.
If the vehicle hasn’t been kept in good condition by the driver and an accident is caused by failed brakes or other maintenance issues, the driver could be liable for the accident, especially if they knew that they needed to get their car serviced.
The different types of car accidents are categorized based on how one vehicle impacts the other. Different accidents can cause different injuries, and some types of car accidents are more dangerous than others.
A head-on collision occurs when the front of one car collides with the front of another car. Head-on collisions are pretty rare, but they can cause fatalities because of where the driver is located. These accidents might occur if one driver is driving in the wrong direction or if they veer into oncoming traffic.
Rear-end accidents, unlike head-on collisions, are common. These accidents occur when the at-fault driver doesn’t stop fast enough, hitting the car in front of them. This can commonly cause whiplash or spinal cord injuries. These may occur at stoplights when a driver doesn’t come to a stop quickly enough or at a high speed if the driver is distracted. Rear-end accidents are almost always the fault of the driver doing the rear-ending.
T-bone collisions most often happen at intersections and stop signs. If a driver runs a red light or a stop sign, they could hit a driver who’s following the rules of the road. Depending on which side of the vehicle is hit, the results of these accidents can be devastating.
Sideswipe accidents occur in busy cities and on crowded highways when one driver skims the side of another driver’s car. This could be a parked car on the side of the road or a vehicle in the next lane over. The severity of these accidents depends on how fast the vehicles were going and what side of the vehicle the accident occurred on.
Chain reaction crashes happen when someone is rear-ended at a high speed, causing the vehicle that was rear-ended to move forward and slam into the vehicle in front of them. These accidents can be tricky, as multiple parties are involved. They can also cause serious injuries, as the driver of the middle car will face impact from both behind and in front of themselves.
Ridesharing has completely changed the transportation industry, making it easier and more convenient than ever for computers to find a ride and for individuals to earn money driving. However, one of the main drawbacks that companies like Uber and Lyft now face is that more and more rideshare accidents are occurring, and it is unclear who is responsible and how injured victims should be compensated. If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, you should consult a qualified Uber and Lyft accident lawyer to learn your rights and options.
Injury claims involving Uber and Lyft collisions require a special kind of experience and legal skill. At Sand Law, we have obtained large settlements and fair compensation for rideshare injury victims.
You may be able to file an injury claim after a rideshare accident if you were:
If you were hurt in an accident involving a rideshare company in North Dakota, then contact the Sand Law PLLC. We have extensive experience recovering compensation for Uber and Lyft accident victims. Contact us by filling out the form below or by clicking on our phone number in the header.
Medical expenses include costs for hospital or emergency room visits, visits to your regular physician or a special physician, surgery costs, physical therapy, treatment, ambulance rides, and more.
When you’re involved in an accident that results in injuries, severe or otherwise, you’ll be required to take time off of work to receive treatment and recover. You can recover the wages that you lost while you were out of work. You can also recover damages for loss of earning capacity, which means you are no longer able to work your job anymore because of the injuries you sustained.
Pain and suffering compensation is calculated based on how much your life has changed before and after the accident. Depending on how much you’ve been through and how much the injuries have impacted your life, this compensation could be higher or lower. The more your quality of life has changed because of the accident, the more compensation you’re likely to receive.
Punitive damages are rare. However, some parties still receive them. Punitive damages are given out as a punishment to the at-fault party. They’re given out when the at-fault party has acted with gross negligence and are used to prevent the at-fault party from committing the same act again in the future.
Property damage in a car accident often only means damage to your vehicle. In the event that your insurance doesn’t cover the damage or total loss of your vehicle, you can claim further compensation for repairs or the cost of a replacement vehicle.
If your loved one was killed in a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. A wrongful death claim can seek to recover compensation for damages left behind by the deceased and damages caused to the family. This may include medical bills or funeral expenses from the person who was killed or pain and suffering and lost wages from the surviving state.
The personal injury lawyers at Sand Law have office locations in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Watford City, and Williston. We are conveniently located to serve all of North Dakota. To arrange a no-pressure consultation with a top-rated injury attorney, please send us a message online or call 701-609-1510. There is no fee unless we obtain compensation on your behalf.
The sight of a car barreling toward the side of your vehicle is terrifying. This impact from the side is known as a T-bone car accident. Even if you escape with minor injuries, the effects of a T-bone car crash often extend far beyond the initial impact. T-bone auto accidents can leave drivers and their passengers with hefty medical bills, lost wages, compromised emotional health, and an uncertain financial future.
If you were injured in a Fargo T-bone car accident, you may be unsure about what to do next. The wisest choice you can make is to contact a reputable car accident lawyer. They can determine what damages you’re eligible to seek compensation for through a personal injury claim.
Sand Law is an experienced car accident law firm located in Fargo, North Dakota. We provide free case evaluations for prospective clients. This gives you an opportunity to obtain a professional legal opinion on your claim and explore the services we offer.
Injured in a car accident in Fargo or across North Dakota? Contact Sand Law ASAP. You can call us at 701-609-1510 or contact us online to schedule a free case consultation.
A T-bone car accident refers to a collision between two vehicles in which one car hits the side of another. The vehicles form a T shape, hence the name “T-bone accident”. The force of being T-boned can cause the impacted car to spin or skid out of control. This further compounds any injuries or property damage sustained.
T-bone accidents don’t exclusively occur at intersections. However, intersections are one of the most common sites. T-bone car accidents are most commonly seen at intersections where two vehicles cross paths. This can include interchanges with traffic lights, driveways that exit into roads, and 4-way stops. North Dakota drivers should be extra careful at intersections to avoid T-bone car accidents. Fargo, in particular, has some of the deadliest intersections in North Dakota.
An intersection doesn’t need traffic signals or to be a true 4-way intersection. In fact, intersections without traffic signals are often more prone to T-bone accidents.
The impact can be extremely jarring to both drivers. The force exerted can cause significant injuries. Passengers are yanked in one direction and then another. Or they’re slammed into hard surfaces like the dashboard or window. Drivers and passengers can still sustain debilitating or life-threatening injuries. Even when airbags deploy and all occupants are wearing seatbelts.
After a T-bone car accident, make your health a priority. You should seek medical treatment for your injuries as soon as you can. This will protect your physical wellbeing and the integrity of your future personal injury claim. Otherwise, insurance companies may claim that you’re exaggerating your injuries to get a larger settlement than you deserve. Or that you let your injuries worsen to get a bigger payout.
Driver negligence is the most common cause of T-bone auto accidents. A driver can be held liable for causing a T-bone car accident when they injure another whether or not the driver was distracted, disobeying traffic laws, raging, or intoxicated.
In some cases, a third party outside of the two drivers involved may be liable for causing the auto accident. For example, if a defective brake pad prevented a driver from stopping in time to avoid a T-bone accident, the car manufacturer who produced the faulty part may be responsible for the damages of both parties.
The settlement you could receive in a Fargo T-bone accident lawsuit will depend on a number of factors. Firstly, do you share any fault in the accident? North Dakota law allows you to recover some compensation even if you were partially at fault. As long as you were significantly less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your settlement would be reduced by the percentage of fault you contributed.
Other considerations include how extensive your injuries were, what kind of treatment you required, and whether or not you will be able to return to your job. The value of your damages will also be considered in the context of how your injuries have impacted your career, overall health, and lifestyle.
An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to calculate the value of your economic and non-economic damages in a Fargo car accident lawsuit. At Sand Law, we will assist you in valuing your damages so that we can pursue maximum compensation for your Fargo T-bone accident damages through strategic negotiation.
When your life has been turned upside down by the actions of a negligent driver, you need someone you can trust to negotiate on your behalf. It’s also beneficial if that representative has experience taking on insurance companies whose goal is to reduce your settlement.
The car accident lawyers of Sand Law specialize in auto accidents like T-bone crashes, and we have an outstanding track record to back it up. Our team will calculate your damages, collect evidence, craft a strategy, and negotiate with insurance claims adjusters in order to secure a fair settlement.
Additionally, you can count on our team to treat you with the respect you deserve, answer any questions you may have, and keep you involved in making the decisions. We have a long record of satisfied clients because we operate based on their best interests. Sand Law can be trusted to exceed expectations and provide reliable advocacy in a Fargo auto accident claim.
At Sand Law, we’re dedicated to providing our clients with high-quality legal advice. If you’ve been severely injured or lost a loved one in a Fargo T-bone auto accident, you can’t afford to jeopardize your claim by choosing an unreliable or unqualified personal injury lawyer to champion your case.
You don’t have to worry about whether or not our team is prepared to negotiate on your behalf or take your claim to trial. Our seasoned trial attorneys won’t shy away from engaging a powerful insurance company in court. We work to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
We encourage you to schedule a free case evaluation with our Fargo office as soon as possible. You can reach us by phone at 701-609-1510 or contact us online. It’s our privilege to support you through the personal injury claims process. We hope to secure you the peace of mind you deserve.
When you think of a tailgating accident, the first thing that might come to mind is a minor fender-bender, one that doesn’t cause anything but a little bit of damage and annoyance. But tailgating accidents can actually be very serious, leading to significant injuries.
At Sand Law, we have a team of attorneys who are experts in car accident cases. Once you get in touch with us, we will listen to the details of your collision, and may be able to give you a general idea of how much compensation you may be able to receive. While we can’t promise you’ll obtain a certain amount of money, we can promise that we’ll fight to get you everything you deserve.
If you would like to schedule a free review of your case, please get in touch with us by contacting us online or calling 701-609-1510.
While most drivers observe safety precautions while on the road, there are plenty of others who don’t. Whether they’re in a hurry to get someplace, or they simply don’t care, aggressive drivers tend to tailgate. However, this is very, very dangerous behavior, and could result in a devastating accident.
It really doesn’t matter what the weather conditions may be – tailgating is reckless. But when the road is wet, such as after the first snow of the season, the risks of a severe crash get even higher.
Following too closely is a recipe for disaster. When a car is traveling at 60 mph, it will need nearly 250 feet in order to come to a complete stop. Larger vehicles, such as semi-trucks, need much more distance. If the car in front has to stop suddenly for whatever reason, that could easily lead to a collision.
The consequences of tailgating can be horrible. The injuries associated with tailgating accidents can change people’s lives for years. When tailgating causes a chain-reaction collision, drivers will not only be hit from behind, they’ll also slam into the vehicle in front of them.
These are just some of the injuries that can result:
If you’ve been involved in any sort of car accident, whether or not it involved tailgating, it will be essential that you get medical attention as quickly as possible. If you wait, your condition could easily worsen. Also, delaying medical help could also damage your case, making it much harder for you to obtain fair compensation.
Some people are honest – almost to a fault. They’ll immediately assume they were to blame for a car accident, even though they clearly weren’t. Never admit any sort of fault to anyone – not the other driver, not the police officer, not even your family or friends. If you do, your words will eventually be used against you.
But if you believe the other driver was to blame, you’ll need strong evidence in order to prove your case and have the best possible chance of winning. These are just a few of kinds of evidence you’ll need:
If you can, take photos or videos of the accident scene using your smartphone. Our attorneys will use that evidence during our investigation of the collision, and possibly determine who was to blame. We could also bring in an accident reconstruction expert if necessary to provide the most accurate picture possible of what happened.
Take photos of any skid marks you see as well. This will give us a good idea of how soon the driver who hit you applied your brakes – which could show that the driver was following you too closely.
One of the reasons why it will be so important to hire an attorney as soon as you can is that skid marks can quickly disappear due to traffic, rain and other reasons. The faster an investigation starts, the better the chances we’ll be able to gather the evidence needed to win your case.
If your accident resulted in injuries, a police officer likely appeared to conduct his or her own investigation into why the crash happened. Afterward, the officer filed a police report. There are typically a lot of possible causes of a car accident, and this report will go a long way toward determining fault.
Witnesses can also be key to proving your case. If you can, try to find anyone who saw the wreck, and will be willing to give their statements. Make sure you get their contact information and we’ll get in touch with them to find out more.
It’s definitely asking a lot to try to do all of the above. You could have not only been emotionally traumatized by the accident, you may have also been severely hurt.
If you can’t take photos or witness statements, there’s still a good chance a nearby security camera contains footage of the wreck. That camera could have been at a nearby gas station or some other kind of building. If that’s the case, your attorney will work to obtain that footage and strengthen your case.
You’re probably going through a lot of pain and stress after your tailgating accident. The most important thing will be to seek medical attention immediately, and then contact your insurance company. You’ll also need the contact information of the other driver.
It will also be just as important to hire an attorney, because there’s a good chance either your insurer, or the insurer of the at-fault driver, will make it hard for you to get the money you deserve. Your legal representative will work to make sure you obtain fair compensation.
The attorneys with Sand Law will be ready to help if you’ve suffered an injury in a tailgating accident due to someone else’s negligence. We’ll work to obtain a fair settlement on your behalf, but we’ll also be ready to go to trial and prove your case if needed.
Schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or giving us a call at 701-609-1510.
Any type of distracted driving can result in tragic consequences, including texting while driving. You might consider yourself a master at sending a text quickly. But taking your focus off of the road for just a few seconds could lead to a terrible accident. In the vast majority of instances, people send texts that could easily wait until they get to their destination.
The attorneys with Sand Law have seen the results of texting while driving. The short version is that they’re horrible. If you’ve suffered an injury, or you’ve lost a loved one due to an accident caused by a texting motorist, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll tell you exactly what to expect throughout the process. And we’ll do everything we can to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
You can get in touch with us online for a free review of your case, or you can give us a call at 701-609-1510.
Approximately 390,000 people are injured in the United States each year in accidents caused by texting while driving. In 2018, more than 4,600 people died in accidents related to cell phone use.
Texting while driving accounts for an estimated 1.6 million vehicle accidents every year. Incredibly, 20% of all U.S. drivers say they’ve sent a text or an email while driving at one time or another. About 25% of all car accidents involve the use of a cell phone.
Texting while driving statistics are hard to come by for North Dakota. There were 1,066 distracted driving violations posted to the North Dakota Driver’s License system database in 2020. Needless to say, with how common texting while driving is, cell phone use behind the wheel likely plays a large role in motor vehicle accidents across the state.
Just like in about every other state (except Missouri and Montana), you can’t legally text while driving in North Dakota. If you’re caught, you will face a $100 fine.
There are a lot of different types of accidents that can occur due to texting while driving. These are just some of the examples.
While people text and drive no matter what their age may be, the problem appears to be particularly pervasive among teenage drivers. Researchers analyzed the findings of a Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which traced the behaviors of students of high school age throughout 35 states. The results of the analysis were published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. According to the researchers, 38% of the more than 100,000 teenagers surveyed admitted that they texted while driving. Of the respondents who were 18 or older, 56% of them admitted to texting while behind the wheel.
The researchers also broke down the responses across different states. They found that more than 50% of North Dakota teenagers said they sent a text or an email at least one time while driving in the previous month. North Dakota was one of four states with a response rate this high. The other three states that round up the top are Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana. Only South Dakota, with a 64% response rate, was higher.
Teens who text and drive are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors while behind the wheel, according to the study. For example, teens who don’t wear a seatbelt are 21% more likely to text or email while behind the wheel. And the ones who drink and drive are 91% more likely.
This paints a concerning picture, to say the least. If more than 50% of teens admitted to texting while driving, how many more are actually doing so?
If you’ve suffered an injury due to an accident caused by a negligent driver, you’re more than likely going to be entitled to compensation for damages, or monetary losses. These will likely include medical expenses, as well as lost wages because you’ve had to miss time from work. A skilled attorney will work to help you obtain that compensation from the insurance company of the negligent driver. Your attorney will also look for other parties that contributed to the accident.
At Sand Law, we have an extensive track record of success helping clients who’ve suffered damages due to negligent drivers who decided to send a text while they were behind the wheel. If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to help, please get in touch with us as soon as you can. Contact us online or call 701-609-1510 for a free consultation.
It might be understandable that teenagers get into their share of car accidents, but that doesn’t make those accidents any less severe. There are a lot of reasons teens cause car wrecks. They might be distracted, or they might not know how to drive on icy roads. No matter what the cause, when a wreck happens the consequences can be horrible.
Sand Law attorneys will be here for you if you’ve suffered an injury due to an accident caused by a teen driver. We’ll work to determine all the potentially liable parties so that you have the best chance of getting the money you need for your medical bills, any lost wages you’ve incurred, and other expenses. Please call 701-609-1510 or use our online form to schedule a free review of your case.
Here’s an overview of how often teenagers are involved in car accidents, why these accidents occur, and how we may be able to help if you’re injured due to a collision caused by a teen driver.
An accident involving a teenager can happen anywhere, just like any other kind of car wreck. It can happen because a distracted teen ran a red light at an intersection and T-boned another vehicle, or was goofing around in the car with friends. Here are just a couple of the more common reasons teens cause car accidents.
Teens don’t typically do as good a job of focusing on the road and their surroundings as more experienced drivers. They can become distracted very easily, and cause an accident as a result.. In fact, it’s estimated that 60% of accidents involving teens are due to distracted driving. These are just some of the ways these distractions occur:
The simple fact is that teens just haven’t been behind the wheel as long as more seasoned drivers, and they’ll be more prone to make mistakes. They’re not used to driving on snowy roads, and they might not recognize other hazards as quickly as a more experienced motorist.
There are actually a lot of things parents can do in order to reduce the chances their teen will cause a car accident. Here are a few to keep in mind.
Hearing their child has been in a motor vehicle collision is one of the worst pieces of news a parent could ever receive. If this happens to you, try to remain as composed as you can. Ask your child if they or anyone else has been hurt, and call 911 as soon as you can. Find out where the accident occurred so you can tell the emergency dispatcher.
Also, tell your child to move the car to a safe spot if they can, such as a nearby parking lot or the shoulder of the road. If the car won’t move, tell the teen to stay in the vehicle with their seat belt fastened and turn on the hazard lights.
Deciding how much a car accident claim is worth can get more complex when it involves a wreck caused by a teenager. There may be multiple parties that are liable for the damages an accident victim incurs. If the parents allowed the teen to drive – even though they knew that teen couldn’t do so safely – then you may be able to take legal action against them.
As with any car accident case, however, you’ll need evidence in order to prove your case. A skilled attorney can help collect that evidence, such as video footage from security cameras that might show what happened.
Car accident injuries affect accident victims of all ages, of course. This is just a partial list of the injuries that can have permanent consequences.
While everybody gets mad behind the wheel at one time or another, some drivers take it to the extreme. Road rage can lead to not only horrific car accidents, but also potentially fatal confrontations. While all of us experience stress, especially while driving, there’s simply no excuse for this kind of behavior.
Far too many people are either severely injured or killed in accidents caused by road rage. If you’ve been hurt or suffered the loss of a family member in this kind of event, please contact Sand Law as soon as you can. We’ll do everything we can to make sure that driver pays dearly. Schedule a free review of your case by calling 701-394-4744 or using our online form.
Why does road rage happen? How does it lead to accidents? What can you do if you’re the victim? Here are the answers to these and other questions.
Some people are naturally inclined to acting aggressively after the slightest perceived provocation. When this happens behind the wheel, that typically results in a road rage incident. These are just a few examples of this type of senseless behavior.
Any kind of aggressive or reckless driving can lead to a serious accident, of course. But when you mix in road rage with that recklessness, the risk of disaster is even higher. There are some drivers who are so out of control with rage that they’ll actually ram other vehicles with their car in an effort to try to incite a confrontation.
Like any kind of car wreck, an accident caused by road rage can have a devastating impact on a victim’s life. The result could be a debilitating injury such as a traumatic brain injury, internal organ damage, broken bones or something else.
There are nearly unlimited scenarios where road rage can cause an accident. An angry driver could tailgate another car so closely that they cause a rear-end collision when the driver in front has to slow down. Speeding could cause the road rage driver to lose control and slam into other cars. No matter what the scenario, if you’re the victim of a road rage incident, you deserve to obtain as much money as you possibly can.
The first thing you need to do if you’re in a wreck with a road rage driver is to stay as calm as you can. Your first instinct will probably be to lash out, but that could quickly make an already bad situation even worse – and possibly even more dangerous. That person could be drunk or on an illegal drug. Or, the person could simply be imbalanced mentally and try to attack you.
As hard as it may be to keep your cool, that’s exactly what you’ll have to try to do. Don’t look at the other driver, and don’t respond to any yelling or gesturing. Stay in your car if you possibly can, and keep your windows up. Call the police immediately. If the car is still operational, move it to a safe place in a public setting, such as a grocery or convenience store.
Staying calm will also help with your case. Once you’re safe, write down every detail you can remember. Make a note of how the crash happened, how badly you were hurt, and anything the driver did or said. If you can, take pictures of the accident scene and talk to any witnesses who may have been present.
It will also be critically important that you get the license plate number of the driver who exhibited road rage. You won’t want to talk (or, like stated earlier, even look) at that person, but you’ll need that number if you can get it.
It should also go without saying that you’ll need to seek medical assistance as fast as you can – even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt that badly. Delaying medical help will not only be harmful to your health, but also to your case.
Finally, never, ever admit even the least amount of fault to anyone. Insurance companies go to great lengths to try to avoid paying out a claim. That means they’ll talk to your friends and co-workers, and they’ll even look at your social media posts. Don’t jeopardize your case by even making a slight mention of anything you may have done wrong.
The term “damages” simply means losses incurred due to someone else’s negligence. You have a lot of medical bills, more than likely. You’ve probably had to miss time from work, and you’ve lost wages as a result. There’s also a pretty good chance that you’ve had to pay out-of-pocket for prescription medications. These are all examples of economic damages, once you may be able to recover.
But there are other kinds of damages as well that you may have experienced. These are non-economic, or intangible, damages that you can’t put a price tag on. The pain and suffering you’ve experienced, the loss of quality of life, and emotional issues stemming from the wreck are all non-economic damages.
There’s also a chance you could obtain punitive damages. This is a form of compensation that juries sometimes award to punish people like road rage drivers. The point is to punish them so severely financially that they’ll never act like that again. Compensation for punitive damages is much higher. However, it’s important to note that they’re rarely awarded.
If you truly want justice for the suffering you’ve been forced to experience due to the blatant recklessness of a driver who exhibited road rage, you’re going to need the help of a skilled, experienced personal injury attorney.
Sand law attorneys will fight with all of their power to hold that road rage driver responsible, and to make sure they pay for their inexcusable behavior. Call 701-394-4744 or contact us online for a free consultation.
There’s no kind of car accident that’s more terrifying than a head-on collision. Someone is coming straight at you, and there’s nothing you can do to avoid it. If you’ve been severely injured in this type of accident, or you’ve suffered the tragic loss of a loved one, those whose negligence caused your suffering must be held accountable.
Sand Law attorneys have an extensive amount of experience doing just that. We know how to help clients get the money they deserve for the excruciating pain they’ve been forced to endure due to the negligence of others. Let us tell you what we can do for you by scheduling a free consultation. You can do so by giving us a call at 701-394-3912 or contacting us online.
The following sections will show you why head-on collisions happen, the injuries that can result from them, how fault is determined, and more.
There are instances where a head-on collision happens because of something that was beyond anyone’s control. It could have happened due to a blinding snowstorm, or because a driver hit some black ice and drifted into oncoming traffic.
However, in our years of representing car accident victims we’ve found that driver negligence is usually the chief cause of head-on collisions in North Dakota. This negligence can take many forms, as you’ll see in the sections below.
Any kind of vehicle accident can lead to devastating injuries, of course, but head-on collision injuries can often be even worse. In far too many instances, head-on wrecks are fatal. But even if they’re not, they can lead to a lifetime of debilitation. These are just a few examples.
Every driver has what is known as a “duty of care” to watch out for others sharing the road. When someone violates that duty, that is negligence – and negligent drivers will be held accountable. In order to determine liability, however, you’ll need to be able to prove that negligence.
There are a lot of complexities involved in this type of case, of course. One of the biggest is obtaining the evidence it takes to prove that negligence occurred. If you can’t furnish that proof, there’s not only a chance your insurance claim will be denied, but there is also the risk that you’ll be sued by the other driver.
That’s one of the reasons why you’ll need the help of an experienced attorney. A skilled legal representative will be able to investigate the accident scene, finding the evidence necessary to prove a client’s case.
The losses you’ve experienced due to your accident, such as lost wages due to time off of work, medical bills and others, are known as “damages.” If you can prove the accident was the other driver’s fault, then you can take legal action in order to obtain compensation for those damages.
There are two main types of damages – economic, also known as “special” damages, and non-economic, or “general” damages.
Economic damages, as you can probably tell, are damages you can put a definitive price tag on. These include lost wages and medical bills, as well as future medical expenses and future lost wages. Economic damages also include doctor visits, surgical costs, potential medical costs in the future, and more.
Non-economic damages aren’t so straightforward. Basically, you can’t put a price tag on them. These include emotional anguish, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and others.
There are other kinds of damages as well. Punitive damages, as the name implies, are meant to punish a defendant so that they no longer act in that type of negligent manner again. It’s rare that an accident victim will receive punitive damages, but they can result in a much higher amount of compensation. If the head-on accident resulted in a death, the family members may be eligible to receive wrongful death damages.
It takes a seasoned attorney to know exactly how to calculate all of your damages – economic, non-economic, punitive and wrongful death – and to determine how much compensation you deserve.
As you’ve already learned, though, you’re going to have to prove the other driver was at-fault in order to obtain compensation for your damages. While you should never admit any blame in any sort of accident, there is a chance you could still receive money even if you were partially at fault.
North Dakota is known as a comparative negligence state. In a nutshell, if you were less than 50% at fault, you will be able to obtain compensation. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you won’t. The amount of compensation will be subtracted by the percentage of fault you’re assigned. If, for example, you’re found to be 40% at fault and you would have received $100,000, that 40% ($40,000) will be subtracted. You’d get $60,000 instead.
Any kind of car wreck can lead to a lot of stress and confusion. When you factor in the severity of the injuries that typically result from a head-on collision, that makes everything that much worse.
Sand Law attorneys can help relieve some of that stress by handling all of the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on recovering physically and emotionally. Call 701-394-3912 or use our online form to schedule a free case review.
A T-bone accident is called that because the vehicles involved typically form the shape of a T. This kind of accident, which will usually occur at an intersection, can lead to devastating injuries. In a lot of instances, a T-bone accident takes place because of negligence on the part of the driver whose vehicle plows into the side of the victim.
The attorneys with Sand Law have built a reputation on successfully representing car accident victims with the highest levels of integrity and professionalism. We provide personalized service, and will always be here when you need us. In addition, our attorneys are skilled negotiators who know how to maximize our clients’ compensation.
Learn more about us by contacting us online or calling 701-609-1510 for a free consultation.
A T-bone accident isn’t really that different from any other collision in that it can occur due to several different reasons. Here’s a small sample of the potential reasons T-bone accidents take place.
It will be important to contact an attorney as soon as possible if you’ve been involved in this kind of car wreck. Your attorney will work to help you compensate for the injuries and property damage you’ve incurred.
There are some instances where a T-bone accident is fairly minor, such as when the two cars are traveling slowly through a parking lot. It could even happen while someone is backing out of their driveway.
Most of the time, though, the vehicles involved are moving at much higher speeds. An intersection is a particularly dangerous location for a T-bone accident, because someone was trying to speed up to avoid a red light and caused a violent collision in the process.
Like any car accident, a T-bone collision can result in severe injuries or deaths. These are some of the injuries that will typically occur.
You might think that it would be easy to prove the other driver was at fault for your T-bone accident, but it’s actually anything but. In order to build the strongest case possible, you’re going to need hard evidence. That evidence will go a long way toward determining who was to blame. Sometimes both drivers are partially to blame, other times a manufacturer defect leads to a collision. This is a brief explanation of each scenario.
As stated earlier, you’re going to have to produce strong evidence in order to have the best possible chance of winning your case. If you don’t, that’s going to make it almost impossible for you to ever recover financially. You won’t be able to pay for medical bills, medications, and anything else you may need in terms of treatment, and you’ll never make up the lost wages – both now and in the future – that you may incur.
Your best chance of producing that evidence will be to hire a skilled attorney. Your legal representative will fight to help you get the money you deserve. Keep all documentation of your medical bills, as well as proof of your salary. If you were able to take photographs or videos at the accident scene, those would be incredibly powerful. But if you couldn’t (which would obviously be understandable if you were seriously hurt), an attorney may be able to find footage from any nearby security cameras that captured the accident.
There are other reasons to hire an attorney as soon as you can. You’re already going through a lot of pain and stress – adding to that stress by trying to handle your case on your simply won’t be healthy. Maximizing your compensation will very likely involve negotiating with insurance company adjusters and having to produce mountains of documentation. Attorneys know how to do both, taking the burden off of your shoulders so you can focus on your physical recovery.
Please get in touch with Sand Law and let one of our skilled attorneys fight for your legal rights. Use our online form or call 701-609-1510 to schedule a free case review.
Intersection accidents, like all accidents, can be devastating – in far too many instances, they’re fatal. Every one would love it if there were no deadly car accidents whatsoever. Unfortunately, that’s not going to be reality for a long time. Until then, car wrecks will continue to lead to debilitating injuries and worse.
If you’ve been hurt or lost a beloved family member due to an accident that occurred at an intersection, please get in touch with Sand Law as soon as possible. One of our attorneys will listen to the details of your case and tell you how we may be able to help. Schedule a free case review by contacting us online or calling 701-394-3912.
There is no way you can realistically hope to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries if you don’t have legal representation. That’s just the way it is. You might have seen some movies or television shows depicting lawyers and feel that you could make a compelling argument on your own behalf.
It won’t work. You’ll need the help of a skilled attorney working on your behalf in order to have the best possible chance of winning your case.
Another reason you’ll have to get legal representation is the insurance company that will be involved in your case. Insurance carriers not only have high-priced lawyers. They also have incredibly formidable adjusters working on their behalf. These professionals have one goal. That’s to reduce the amount of money you receive as much as possible. They’d love it even more if your claim were to be denied completely.
One way they do this is trying to trick victims into accepting blame for their accident. If you try to deal with this type of tactic on your own, there’s a good chance you’ll slip up. It only takes a minor mistake to potentially get your case thrown out. An attorney will shield you from those tactics. Talking to the insurance company to force it to offer you a fair settlement.
You should also hire an attorney because fighting this kind of case is extremely stressful for someone with no legal background. You’ve got enough on your plate already simply trying to recover. Let your attorney handle all of the heavy lifting instead.
Even though just about any setting where vehicles are on the road can be dangerous, this is especially true for intersections. Multiple cars are coming from multiple directions. So people have to be even more aware than normal in order to avoid a wreck. Unfortunately, in some cases, that’s much easier said than done.
Drivers commonly make potentially catastrophic mistakes at intersections. These are just a few.
When people make the mistakes mentioned above, those obviously have major consequences. These are just a few of the issues that result.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident that occurred at an intersection, there could be multiple parties to blame, including the following:
You already know why you need to hire a car accident attorney to help you obtain compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. But you also want to make sure that attorney has a great deal of experience in personal injury – one who knows how to negotiate with insurance companies and fight to make sure your rights are protected at every turn.
You’ll find that experience and passion at Sand Law. We’ve represented victims of intersection accidents for years, and we have a long track record of success. Put our knowledge, skill and passion to work for you by scheduling a free case review. Call 701-394-3912 or use our online form to get in touch.
Chain reaction accidents in North Dakota can be horrifying, and result in severe injuries – or worse. If you’ve been in this kind of pile-up, you might be wondering where to turn to next. Whether you were hit by a truck, a motorcycle or any other type of vehicle, you may have been hurt, and you might have to deal with a lot of property damage as well.
At Sand Law, we have a team of attorneys who are ready to help. We are all too familiar with the devastating effects of chain reaction accidents. We’ve represented clients who will be feeling the effects of their injuries for a lifetime, such as those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. When someone has to deal with the pain and debilitation of a permanent injury through no fault of their own, we get mad – and then we seek justice.
Talk to a Sand Law representative as soon as possible if you or a loved one was involved in a North Dakota chain reaction accident caused by someone else’s negligence. If you would like a free review of your case and learn more about how we may be of assistance, contact us online or call 701-609-1510.
If you’ve ever seen news reports of an accident involving dozens of cars on an icy highway, that’s an example of a chain reaction wreck. Most of the time, car accidents will involve two vehicles. Chain reaction accidents are much, much different.
The name says it all. One car will hit another, the second automobile will hit another vehicle, etc. One of the more common examples of a chain reaction accident is when there’s a line of cars, such as when there’s bumper-to-bumper road congestion. Car A will hit Car B from behind, which leads to Car B hitting Car C from behind as well.
Chain reaction wrecks can result from the same type of negligent behavior that causes a “regular” accident. A motorist may be occupied by their phone, their radio, or one of the other gadgets in their vehicle. Someone could have been driving for hours at a time, such as a truck driver, and is too fatigued to operate their vehicle safely. These are just some of the many other potential causes.
Unfortunately, the attorneys with Sand Law have represented a lot of clients who were hurt in chain reaction wrecks in North Dakota. Here are a few of the common scenarios that involve this type of accident.
In order to be able to obtain compensation for your injury or property damage, you’ll have to file an insurance claim in most instances, of course. But if there are any arguments about who is to blame, then you might have to go to court before you can collect. It will then be up to a jury to determine who was at fault.
North Dakota is what’s known as a “modified comparative fault” state. Basically, if another driver is more than 50% to blame, then they can’t sue you. However, if you were assigned, say, 30% of the blame, you wouldn’t obtain your full amount of compensation.
For simplicity’s sake, say you have $30,000 in damages. You wouldn’t receive the full $30,000 – you’d get $20,000 instead. Because you were 30% to blame, you’d forfeit 30% of the $30,000 – $10,000.
You definitely don’t want to risk losing compensation because you were found partially responsible – or, even worse, assigned most or all of the blame. You’re going to have to be able to prove you shouldn’t bear any responsibility. Your only chance of doing that will be to have an attorney by your side who can uncover the evidence it will take to prove your case.
At Sand Law, we know how to do just that. We know how to investigate an accident, and we know how to find critical evidence. Not only do we send professional investigators to the location of the accident, we also obtain police reports and interview witnesses. We also use expert witnesses who have years of experience in reconstructing accidents.
If you have suffered an injury in a chain reaction wreck caused by someone else, it’s only natural to wonder how much compensation you may be entitled to receive.
There are actually many different types of damages you may be able to claim. These are just a few of them.
If you are to have the best possible chance to obtain the money you deserve, you’ll have to hire an experienced attorney. Legal action is very complex, and very involved. If you don’t have legal experience yourself, your chances of winning your case will be zero. Even worse, you could wrongly be found to blame for the accident and be forced to pay the same people who were actually responsible.
Take that risk out of the equation by getting in touch with Sand Law for a free consultation. You can call 701-609-1510 or use our online form to learn more.
More than 9,000 people lost their lives in 2018 due to automobile accidents caused by speeding, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA analyzed accidents over the last 20 years and found that speeding was the cause of about one-third of all fatal crashes. It’s also the No. 3 contributing factor in vehicle wrecks in general.
While you might think that speeding-related car crashes happen most often on interstate highways, that’s not necessarily the case. According to the NHTSA, 40% actually occur on roads that have a speed limit of 50 MPH or less, while 20% happen on roads that have posted limits of 35MPH or less.
The numbers in North Dakota are a little better in terms of the percentage of fatal crashes caused by speeding. While the national percentage is about 33%, in North Dakota it’s typically closer to 25%. Here’s a look at the statistics from 2016-2020.
| Year | # of Fatal Crashes | # of Fatal Speed-Related Crashes (Percentage) |
| 2016 | 102 | 24 (24%) |
| 2017 | 106 | 25 (24%) |
| 2018 | 95 | 36 (38%) |
| 2019 | 91 | 23 (25%) |
| 2020 | 96 | 22 (23%) |
But even if the numbers of fatalities are usually lower, even one death due to speeding is one too many. Also, speeding-related crashes can also lead to devastating, long-term injuries.
Most of the time, drivers will speed simply because they’re in a rush. They might be late for a meeting, or they may want to get home as fast as they can because they’ve had a bad day at the office.
But speeding for any reason is usually very selfish. Speeders simply have no concern for the safety of others on the road, or they think what they’re doing really isn’t that dangerous, because they know how to keep control of their vehicle. While that might usually be the case, however, it only takes one mistake to cause a potentially horrific crash. They could not be ready for the first snow of the season, for example, and could easily lose control when hitting a slick spot.
Even though the fines associated with speeding can be steep (not to mention the hike in their insurance costs), speeders continue to exhibit this reckless behavior on the roads.
There are a lot of ways that speeding can lead to an accident that could eventually spur a personal injury lawsuit. A driver might run a red light and plow into another vehicle, or won’t have enough time to slow down, causing a rear-end collision in the process.
A lot of speeding-related accidents occur due to drivers failing to yield the right-of-way. They’ll blast through an intersection with little regard for anyone else. When this happens, a driver obeying the law and making a turn could find it impossible to get out of the way of the approaching vehicle.
If you’ve been injured and want to obtain compensation, you’re going to need proof that you weren’t at fault for the accident – the fault lies with the driver who was speeding. The best way to obtain that proof will be to hire an experienced car accident attorney as soon as you can.
Why will fast action be so important? One of the biggest reasons is that your attorney will launch an investigation into the accident. Evidence at the scene can disappear quickly, due to factors such as road construction or weather. The sooner your attorney can get to that scene, the better the chances of finding the evidence you need to prove your case.
There are other ways a skilled attorney can work to prove the at-fault driver was speeding. These are just a few examples.
In many instances, there will be multiple parties that contributed to an accident other than the at-fault driver. If this is the case regarding your accident, then your attorney may be able to take action against these other parties and help you obtain more compensation.
Victims of car accidents caused by speeding drivers will typically incur losses. The legal term to describe losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, etc. is “damages.” Here are some of the more common damages that often arise due to an automobile accident.
You’ve already had to endure enough stress after being injured in an accident caused by speeding. The last thing you need is to go through even more anxiety.
Attorneys help in many ways. They shield accident victims from insurance adjuster harassment, and know how to negotiate with insurance companies to obtain a fair settlement offer. As stated earlier, they also know how to uncover the evidence needed to prove their clients’ cases.
While we’d love to live in a world where there were zero car accidents, the fact is they continue to occur far too often. One of the worst types of vehicle accidents is a rollover. With the popularity of SUVs, rollover accidents are always a threat. But while most people may think SUV drivers are always to blame because they’re driving too fast, there are plenty of instances where someone else is to blame.
The attorneys with Sand Law will be ready to help if you’ve suffered an injury in a rollover accident that wasn’t your fault. We’ll walk you through everything to expect throughout the duration of your case, and work to make sure your rights are protected at every turn.
If you would like to schedule a consultation, please feel free to use our online form or call 701-609-1510.
There are a lot of different types of car accidents, of course, and each of them have many different causes. Rollover accidents are no different.
While it’s true that trying to take a turn too quickly can lead to a rollover, there can often be other contributing factors as well. Someone might hit an icy patch on a road and suddenly lose control, or a distracted driver could cause an SUV driver to have to swerve.
Here are some more common causes of rollover accidents:
You’d be surprised how many times a rollover accident isn’t anyone’s fault. It occurs because of some sort of vehicular defect.
Someone could suddenly lose their brakes due to faulty design or manufacturing, or a poorly made tire could blow out and result in a rollover. The design of the vehicle itself could be a contributing factor, because the manufacturer decided it would cost too much to provide for a lower center of gravity.
If you have reason to believe some sort of manufacturer’s defect led to your rollover accident, get in touch with Sand Law so we can tell you how we may be able to help.
Whenever someone is hurt in any sort of vehicular accident, that will lead to losses. These could include money lost because they can’t work, or money they have to pay in order to get the medical treatment they need. These losses are known as damages in legal terms.
The damages referred to above are economic – it’s not that hard to put a monetary value on them. But there are other kinds of damages that are more subjective. They include pain and suffering, emotional issues stemming from an accident, and more. These are referred to as non-economic damages.
At Sand Law, we know how to place a tangible dollar amount on not only economic but also non-economic damages. Once we know the details of your case, and know what kinds of losses you’ve suffered, we will be able to give you at least a general idea of what kind of compensation we may be able to help you pursue.
Please get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible if you’ve suffered an injury, or you’ve tragically lost someone you love, due to a rollover accident. At Sand Law, we will work passionately on your behalf in order to obtain the evidence needed to prove your case. Without that proof, there’s no chance you’ll be able to win.
But we’ll also shield you from the harassment of insurance company adjusters. These are skilled professionals who have one goal – to either reduce the amount of money you’ll get from an insurer, or see to it that you get nothing at all. We will work with those adjusters on your behalf and work to force the insurance company into making a fair settlement offer.
You’ve already got enough on your plate trying to recover from your rollover accident injury. The last thing you need to do is to worry about trying to obtain the money you deserve. Leave that to Sand Law.
We have a lot of experience in this area of the law, and we’re ready to put that knowledge to use for you. Schedule a free case review by contacting us online or giving us a call at 701-609-1510.
Car accidents happen every single day in the United States and lots of those results in injury. In fact, around three million people are injured because of car accident in the United States each year, with more than 90 people dying each day from car accidents and related injuries.
In North Dakota, there are around 100 fatal crashes each year. Considering that North Dakota has such a low population (less than one million), this car accident fatality rate per 100,000 people is fairly equal to more densely populated states.
Car accidents are often caused by texting while driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, reckless driving, speeding, and even aggressive driving. There are many different types of car accidents, such as sideswipe accidents, head on collisions, and t-bone accidents, but one of the most common and most likely to cause injuries are rear-end accidents. Accidents in which a car is struck from behind can cause injuries that range from mild to severe depending on how fast the car was going when it collided with other vehicle.
A rear end accident that happens at slower speeds may only cause minor injuries, like whiplash or bumps and bruises. However, a high speed rear end accident like one that could occur on a highway could cause much more severe injuries. When a car is sitting still, like in bumper to bumper traffic or at red light, and they are stuck from behind at full speed it can cause life-changing injuries or even fatalities.
Rear end accidents can cause all types of injuries but some of the most common are neck and back injuries, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, crippling arm injuries, and airbag- and seatbelt-caused injuries.
When a driver’s vehicle is struck from behind, neck and back injuries are incredibly common. In high-speed and even low-speed rear end accidents, the force of the car hitting you from behind can cause spinal compression, strained muscles, and damaged tendons. You may end up with a herniated disc, slipped disc, and damage to the surrounding nerves, all of which can cause neck and back pain that may affect you for the rest of your life.
While spinal injuries are common in most car accidents, they’re especially common in rear end accidents. The force applied to your back when your vehicle is struck from behind puts stress on your spine that it has not evolved to take. Spinal cord injury can cause permanent loss of strength, full or partial loss of sensation, and paralysis. Often times, spinal cord injuries caused by rear end accidents require extensive surgeries and rehabilitation to regain independent and pain-free movement–if that is even possible at all.
Traumatic brain injuries can easily occur in rear end accidents because the rear force can easily send one’s head into the steering wheel or to slam forward in the skull causing a coup-contrecoup injury. A traumatic brain injury can also occur when the head is penetrated by a damaged object in the car. A traumatic brain injury can range from minor, like a concussion, to more severe, like those that result in loss of consciousness, coma, or even brain death. No matter what type of brain injury your rear-end accident causes, they can all leave you with lasting effects.
Your airbag will most likely deploy in an accident that occurs over 20 mph. If your airbag does deploy, the force from being struck can send you forwards into your airbag. Airbags are known to cause broken noses and burns to the face or scalp. They may also cause broken ribs. The same is true with seatbelts. Although seatbelts almost always save lives that doesn’t mean that they cannot cause other injuries. For example, if your seatbelt causes you to suffer broken ribs or other internal injuries the negligent party would still be responsible because they caused the accident.
If your hands are on the steering wheel at the time of impact, the force of a car hitting your vehicle from behind may cause damage to your arm and wrist. Injuries to the hands and arms, like broken bones, sprained wrists, dislocated shoulder, and ripped tendons can create life-long pain and limited movement.
After you are involved in a rear end accident, there are a few key steps you should take. If you are so injured that you have to be immediately transported to the hospital obvious you won’t be able to complete these steps but that is okay. Your attorney will still be able to build your case. However, if you can, these steps can help with the process.
1. Make sure that everyone at the scene of the accident is safe. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately. If possible move to the side of the road to get out of the way of further harm.
2. Exchange information with the other party involved. Sometimes rear end accidents can involve multiple parties. You should get everyone’s insurance and contact information.
3. Take as many pictures as you can. Take pictures of your car, the other cars, your injuries, and the surrounding area. You should also write down or record a statement of what happened since the details will be fresh in your mind after the accident occurs.
4. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Make sure you let your doctor know that your injuries occured because of a car accident, so they can note this in your records.
5. Hire an attorney. You should hire an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident because the insurance companies will have experienced professionals working on their side immediately and so should you.
Getting into a car accident can often mean accumulating a large amount of debt. You may have high medical bills to pay back, as well as wages you’ve lost from being out of work. Your attorney can help you recover these damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit for you.
Damages come in two different categories, economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to things with a monetary value, like medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages cover things like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of earning capacity, and any compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement. Your attorney can help you sort out what damages you have and how much you can reasonably expect from your rear-end accident case.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a rear end car accident, hiring an attorney is a crucial step toward getting the compensation that you deserve. The attorneys at Sand Law in North Dakota have years of experience negotiating high settlements and winning cases. We’re ready and willing to help you get back on your feet. For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us online or at 701-609-1510.
Ridesharing accidents are much more complicated than regular car accidents, as the Uber or Lyft driver not only has their own insurance. Instead, there’s a second step of drivers getting insurance from their employer. Ridesharing drivers who work for Uber and Lyft, two popular ridesharing companies available all over the United States, must use their own vehicles to transport riders wherever they want to go. Unlike taxi drivers, ridesharing drivers aren’t required to have their own commercial driver’s license or commercial auto insurance.
Uber and Lyft drivers must meet a few different conditions. They must be at least 21, have at least one year of driving experience if they’re 23 or over, or three years of driving experience if they’re under 23. The driver must have an active US driver’s license, an eligible four-door vehicle, and proof of registration and vehicle insurance.
Ridesharing and Taxi Service are much different at their cores. While they both offer rides around town, the way that they go about it is much different. With taxis, they frequently just drive around the city looking for people to pick up. You can get a taxi this way, but usually only if you live in a bigger city like NYC or LA. In smaller cities and towns that have taxi services, you may need to call to get a ride.
With ridesharing, they mastered ease of use. All you have to do is download a phone application, put in your address, and request a ride. It’s really simple, and it tells you approximately how long you’ll have to wait, what the cost will be, and when you’ll arrive at your destination.
With taxi driving, drivers often have to pay a rental fee for the cab and monthly payments to remain working there. Depending on the taxi company, the driver may either set their own schedule or follow a schedule set by the company. With ridesharing apps, drivers are independent contractors who use their own vehicles. Ridesharing companies offer some auto insurance to supplement the driver’s insurance. However, other than that, the driver is mostly on their own.
If you’re a passenger involved in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you may be able to sue Uber or Lyft, although it isn’t recommended. It can be hard to say that Uber or Lyft shares blame for the accident as they don’t have much input on the driver’s driving.
Uber and Lyft both offer insurance coverage for their drivers when a passenger is in the vehicle so you shouldn’t have to sue to get the compensation that you deserve from Uber and Lyft. However, if they put up a fight, and aren’t willing to give you a fair amount, you may need to take matters into your own hands and start a case against them. We also recommend you review our guide on what to do after an Uber accident to give your claim the best chance of success.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a ridesharing accident in North Dakota and you’re looking for legal guidance, look no further than Sand Law. Our experienced lawyers have years of experience working with insurance companies and in court. We are ready and willing to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your rideshare accident. For more information, please contact us online or at 701-394-4250.
Offices in Fargo, Minot, Bismarck, Watford City, and Williston, North Dakota.
Contact us online or call us at 701-394-4250.
When it comes to distracted driving, the first thing we usually think of is texting. However, there are many other kinds of distracted driving, including manual, visual, and cognitive distractions.
Manual distractions occur when the driver physically does something with their hands. Removing your hands from the wheel to do anything other than operating your vehicle can be considered a manual distraction. This involves things like texting, taking a phone call, eating or drinking, putting on makeup, or even adjusting the radio. It may seem like a small thing, but any moment taken away from driving can change someone’s life forever.
Visual distractions occur when a drivers’ hands remain on the wheel and instead they engage in visual distractions that require them to take their eyes off the road. These can include reading text messages, reading anything from your cell phone, checking your appearance in the mirror, looking at a GPS, looking at a passenger, or looking at any electronic device.
Cognitive distractions occur when a drivers’ mind wanders from the road. This means that they may not be paying attention to what’s happen around them even if they’re looking at the road and have their hands on the wheel. This can include being lost in thought, talking on a hands-free phone, caring for or disciplining your children, or focusing on a stressful situation that could be unrelated to the drive.
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.
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