When an 80,000-pound commercial truck barreling down an interstate highway slams into a passenger vehicle, it doesn’t take much of an imagination to predict the type of devastation that will result. Not only will this kind of accident almost guarantee horrible injuries, it will also result in tragic fatalities.
At Sand Law, our truck accident attorneys have a long track record of success helping injury victims, as well as the family members of lost loved ones, obtain the compensation they deserve. These kinds of cases can be incredibly complex, so if you’ve been injured or lost someone you love because of a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, you’ll need expert legal help.
Learn more about how we may be able to help you by contacting us online or calling 701-609-1510 for a free consultation.
The good news is that the number of truck accidents has actually dipped in North Dakota since 2016. The bad news is that they still occur on a far too common basis.
There were 1,060 so-called “heavy vehicle-related crashes (including large commercial trucks) in 2016, resulting in 13 fatalities and 288 injuries. While the number of crashes dipped to 772 in 2020, the number of deaths actually increased to 15. The worst year in this five-year period was 2018 when 1,176 heavy vehicle crashes cost 26 lives and injured 318 people.
A large portion – 46% — of these wrecks were actually single-vehicle accidents. However, 17% of them involved the larger vehicle rear-ending another vehicle. Nearly 30% occurred at intersections, while 15% involved rollovers – 10% were attributed to large vehicles traveling at excessive speeds.
Nearly 70% of heavy vehicle crashes occurred in rural areas, and most of them took place between October and January.
Both federal and state regulations govern the trucking industry in North Dakota. These rules, set by agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), dictate hours-of-service limits, regular maintenance checks, and mandatory rest periods for drivers.
Trucking companies are also required to conduct background checks on drivers and ensure they undergo proper training. Violations of these regulations can be pivotal in determining negligence in a truck accident case.
There are many different reasons truck accidents take place. These are just a few of the more common causes.
When a huge truck hits the average passenger car, the truck wins – each and every time. Motorists and their passengers often suffer debilitating, permanent injuries because of the forces they’re subjected to in this kind of accident. Here are some examples.
Most people assume the truck driver is typically responsible for a truck accident. While that’s true in many cases, in many others the fault lies with another party. For example, a tire could have blown out because it was defective, or the truck’s brakes might have failed due to negligent manufacturing. If that’s the case, then an accident victim might be able to file a lawsuit against that liable third party.
There are other third parties that could face lawsuits as well. The trucking company may have failed to properly inspect the truck before sending it out. If a part fails due to a lack of maintenance, an accident victim could sue that company. Sometimes a completely different company will be hired to load the truck. They could load it in a way that leads to a shift in the load while the truck is on the road, and that could result in the truck rolling over. In this case, the loading company could be sued.
In a truck accident case, there are two categories of damages that you can recover, economic and non-economic. Economic damages include any monetary losses, while non-economic damages do not. To determine how much your case is worth, we’ll add up your total economic and non-economic damages. While economic damages can be calculated by totaling up your bills, non-economic damages are more abstract. To calculate your non-economic damages, we’ll take a look at your quality of life and how it’s changed since the accident.
For example, if you’re a marathon runner who gets into a paralyzing accident, your quality of life will have experienced a great change. If you’re a marathon runner who breaks a few bones and is able to heal within a few months, your quality of life will likely not experience a huge change overall. However, in this case, both marathon runners deserve to be compensated for their damages—and so do you.
After a truck accident, preserving evidence is crucial. This includes the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, which records driving hours, maintenance records, and any communication between the driver and trucking company.
Swift action is necessary, as some evidence can be lost or deliberately destroyed. Engaging an attorney early ensures that a spoliation letter is sent to the trucking company, mandating them to retain vital records that can be instrumental in proving negligence.
In North Dakota, the concept of comparative fault plays a role in truck accident claims. If a victim is found partially at fault, their compensation may be reduced proportionally. For instance, if you’re deemed 20% responsible, your compensation might be reduced by that percentage.
Especially in truck accidents, where multiple parties can be involved, understanding and proving the degree of fault is paramount. An experienced attorney can help dissect the events leading to the accident and ensure fair attribution of blame.
The answer to this is simple – yes. Trucking accidents are typically high-stakes cases – millions of dollars can be on the line. As a result, the trucking company, as well as its insurance company, will do everything possible to win. They will have high-priced lawyers on their side to do just that.
As a result, you’ll simply have to have the help of a skilled legal representative to have any chance of obtaining fair compensation. An attorney will immediately launch an investigation into the accident, gathering the evidence needed to prove your case. If needed, your attorney can bring in expert witnesses to convince a jury that that accident was someone else’s fault.
It is by no means an exaggeration to say that if you don’t have a strong attorney by your side, you’ll stand very little chance of winning your case. There’s even a chance you could receive nothing for the suffering you’ve been forced to endure.
Please don’t try to go it alone when pursuing compensation for injuries you’ve suffered in a truck accident – or compensation for the tragic loss of a loved one. Let Sand Law take care of your case so that we can put our experience and knowledge to work on your behalf. Schedule a free case review by calling 701-609-1510 or using our online contact form.
North Dakota is a major trucking hub, exporting and importing goods all over the state. The volume of oil and gas that North Dakota produces means getting that product to market, most often through the use of commercial trucks. These trucks are driving through major cities and small towns, on major highways, and on small backroads. This increased amount of truck traffic on North Dakota’s roads increases the chances of a serious truck accident that causes serious and life-changing injuries and damages.
Truck accident cases often involve multiple at-fault parties and serious injuries. The most common at-fault parties in semi-truck accidents are the shipping company, the company that loaded the goods, the truck driver, and the truck manufacturer, all of which may be liable for the damages and injuries caused by truck and trailer accidents.
The experienced North Dakota truck accident attorneys at Sand Law PLLC are here to help you through this difficult time with real compassion for the victim and expert litigation against the at-fault parties.
Semi-truck accidents are often more dangerous than car accidents simply because of the weight and size of large commercial vehicles. Victims are more likely to have multiple injuries, such as various broken bones or bruising. More severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injuries, are more common, as well.
Traumatic brain injury is a type of head injury that is caused by blunt force trauma to the head. This can occur when the point of impact is near the victim, or when the victim jolts around because of the force of the impact. TBI can be expensive to treat. Patients often have complicated treatment plans that require multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, and medication.
Spinal cord injuries are similar in their severity and cost. Paralysis can occur as a result. It may be incomplete (a portion of the body) or complete (the whole body). If you’ve been paralyzed by a truck accident, you may be able to receive compensation for any changes you need to make to your home, such as adding wheelchair ramps or other accessibility functions. You may also be able to receive compensation for any in-home care you might need.
Any injury, unfortunately, is likely going to cost you. Even the simplest of broken bones can be over a thousand dollars without insurance coverage. However, with the right attorney, you can receive the compensation that you deserve for your medical bills and more.
North Dakota truck accident cases always seem to have a common thread when it comes to causation. In fact, over the many hundreds of truck accident cases that come across the desks at Sand Law, a few common causes of truck accidents stand out.
The most common causes of commercial truck accidents are:
Both the US government and the State of North Dakota have regulations in place to help prevent serious truck accidents. These regulations are often strict and adamantly enforced because it is a well-known fact that trucks are extremely dangerous in certain conditions. These regulations, at the state level, are controlled by the North Dakota Department of Transportation and are intended to increase safety for both truck drivers and other drivers on the road.
Investigating a semi-truck accident in Williston, North Dakota, requires a heavy emphasis on the investigation process being done correctly and thoroughly. The North Dakota Truck Accident Attorneys at Sand Law PLLC investigate every commercial and 18-wheeler truck accident as in-depth as possible in order to determine the following:
The investigation phase of any truck accident case is often the most important. It requires significant resources on the part of the hired truck accident law firm to be able to utilize their network of experts and investigators, has the resources available to ensure the investigation is thorough and transparent, and be able to convert that investigation into understandable graphics and presentations to show to the jury.
Semi-truck accidents often involve suing more than one party, known as a third-party claim.
The reason a truck accident claim often involves the use of a third-party claim is simple: usually, multiple people or companies are responsible for the truck accident.
For example, the truck driver may have been breaking a law. The trucking company may have known its drivers were failing to follow state or federal regulations, and the manufacturer of the truck may have known there was a defective part.
In the above example, all three of these parties could possibly be held liable for their part in the truck accident and thus be responsible for the resulting financial damages and injuries to the victim.
Many North Dakota truck accident lawsuits require the use of an expert witness, or multiple expert witnesses, to establish the cause of the truck accident and to verify the injuries the accident caused. The use of expert witnesses will help your legal team establish credible evidence, which is critical to getting a favorable outcome in an ND truck accident case.
Sand Law may use, depending on the case’s details, the following types of expert witnesses when trying a truck accident case:
There are two different types of damages that you can receive compensation for, economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages include:
Non-economic damages include:
The amount of compensation that you receive for your truck accident case will depend on the severity of your injuries, the total value of your economic damages, and the amount your quality of life has changed because of the accident and your injuries.
In North Dakota, semi-truck and trailer accidents, unfortunately, occur far too frequently. Because of the physics involved, when a massive, many-ton truck hits a small, relatively lightweight car, the outcome is usually devastating for the motor vehicle driver. Regular cars are simply no match for big rigs.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or were killed by a commercial truck and semi-truck in Williston, Williams County, or anywhere in North Dakota, do not hesitate to contact the personal injury attorneys at Sand Law PLLC.
The longer the wait, the more the evidence in your case will diminish and the harder it will be to pursue effectively. Contact us today by using our online contact form or by calling us at (701) 609-1510 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We look forward to helping you and your family get started on the path to recovery, both physically and financially.
With oil, gas, and agriculture contributing to a large amount of North Dakota’s economy, the trucking industry is vital to the continued growth of the state’s GDP. Thousands of truckloads of product are shipped both inside and out of the state each year. But with the sheer amount of shipments on the move, it is unfortunately inevitable that accidents involving semi-trucks occur on streets and highways.
Two-thirds of North Dakota’s truck accidents occur in counties connected to the oil industry, resulting in numerous fatalities and dozens of injuries. Most of these accidents are preventable, and their victims should never have to go through what they do in the aftermath. North Dakotans who suffer from a truck accident injury deserve quality representation to advocate for their rights in court.
The injuries from truck accidents can lead to costly medical bills and lost wages, putting financial pressure on you and your loved ones. Our experienced truck accident attorneys at Sand Law can help you get the compensation you deserve.
In the aftermath of an accident involving a semi-truck, your safety is the most important thing. If you or a passenger in your vehicle was injured, seek medical attention as soon as possible for any injuries you might have. If you’re uninjured, there are steps you can take to build your case and protect your rights as an accident victim.
Most often, truck accidents are caused by otherwise preventable factors on the part of the truck driver. Proving these causes in court is key to getting you compensation for your injuries from the accident.
It takes drivers about 1.5 seconds to recognize a dangerous situation and react appropriately. If the said driver is at the wheel of a long, heavy, loaded semi-truck, any sudden change in that time may prove disastrous. When a semi-truck needs almost 170 feet to come to a stop at 40 miles an hour, that tiny amount of time is nowhere near enough.
Truck drivers work long hours and, as a result, are more prone to falling asleep at the wheel of their vehicles. Some recognize this problem and attempt to mitigate it by way of stimulants like caffeine or in more extreme cases, illegal drugs. Such drugs, like amphetamines, can cause hallucinations, vertigo and can even further impact reaction time.
Semi-trucks outweigh the average passenger car by several dozen tons. Any lapse in maintenance and proper care of the truck’s engine, transmission, or brake pads can lead to disaster on the road.
Because truck accidents are more severe than car accidents in nearly every way, truck accident injuries are as well. Trucks are heavy, and the impact of one can cause severe damage to a vehicle and, unfortunately, a person. Injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI), damage to the spinal column, and internal bleeding aren’t uncommon.
Minor injuries, such as bruises, cuts, and broken bones, are also common and often exist alongside one another. No matter how severe your injury is, you deserve to receive compensation for the damages you’ve experienced. The cost of a truck accident can be financial, mental, and physical. Mental health after a major accident can be a struggle. Many people are left with post-traumatic stress disorder, driving fear, depression, and anxiety. This is especially true for those with severe injuries who have experienced a great change in their quality of life.
In any given truck accident case, there are a number of different parties that could be found negligible for your damages. The main parties in such cases are usually the driver of the truck, the trucking company they work for, or (in the case of an equipment failure that is not the fault of the driver or the company) the company that manufactured the semi-truck in the first place. Any of these parties can be held liable for compensation for all your expenses relating to the accident.
Typically, cases brought against the truck driver or the truck company use violations of federal commercial guidelines as the basis for their claims. There are different guidelines that apply to the drivers and the companies, and violations of any of them could be used to strengthen your claims case.
When a company is held liable for a truck accident, it is usually due to a violation of hours of service regulations or the regulations designed to ensure that drivers are receiving enough rest to safely operate their vehicles. Such regulations include:
The compensation that you receive after a truck accident depends on the damages that you experienced. The term “damages” refers to any loss experienced as a result of the accident. These losses can be monetary, such as bills, or not. Monetary losses, or economic damages, will be calculated by adding up your medical bills and lost wages.
Medical bills can include:
Medical damages can also include any future treatment that you may need. If your doctor believes you’ll need lifelong treatment, that will be taken into account. The same is true for lost wages and lost earning capacity. If you lose the ability to return to work, you may be able to receive compensation for the wages you would have earned had you not been in an accident.
Non-monetary losses, or non-economic damages, are more abstract. They include things like pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement and scarring, and mental anguish. Basically, these damages are awarded for the change you’ve experienced in your quality of life. The greater that change is, the greater your compensation will be.
When it comes to the devastating injuries resulting from truck 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.
While any vehicle accident can cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, an 80,000 lb. tractor-trailer transporting a maximum load presents a far more serious danger to occupants of other vehicles.
The unique physical characteristics of large trucks, which include their massive length and weight, make these vehicles less responsive and more prone to causing horrific carnage in a collision. When large trucks are involved in fatal crashes, the victim who dies in the collision is the occupant of the passenger vehicle 97% of the time, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
While the trucking industry is heavily regulated to mitigate this inherent risk, these regulations can be thwarted by the non-compliance of commercial drivers, often with the tacit approval of trucking companies.
Victims of negligent truck drivers and their employers may have a right to compensation, but litigation of trucking accident cases tends to be more complex and sophisticated than most other types of vehicle collisions. Our Minot semi-truck accident attorneys at Sand Law PLLC have the legal acumen, experience, and litigation resources to take on large trucking corporations and their insurance companies.
Our lawyers at Sand Law, PLLC are committed to standing up for individual victims of careless truck drivers and indifferent trucking companies. Our law firm vigorously fights to maximize the financial compensation received by casualties of the trucking industry and their families.
We also recognize that the legal process can seem foreign and complicated, so we focus on keeping clients informed throughout the life of their legal process. To further our commitment to providing the highest-quality legal services, we have adopted a goal of returning calls and emails within 24 hours, copying clients on correspondence, and providing periodic updates regarding case developments throughout a client’s entire case.
While most law firms promise exemplary service and zealous representation, we let our former clients and peers attest to our firm’s dedication to exemplary legal representation, client services, and ethical conduct. Designations and reviews that attest to our focus on doggedly pursuing the best experience and results for our clients include the following:
While the massive size and weight of a commercial truck justifiably draw significant attention, trucking accident cases are more than car accident claims involving a large vehicle. Trucking litigation involves unique and challenging issues that are not present in other types of vehicular accident lawsuits. Experienced and skilled trucking accident lawyers will have special expertise and experience with trucking safety issues, as well as trucking industry practices and regulations.
Studies conducted by insurance industry trade groups have found that a represented party tends to recover as much as 3.5 times more than an unrepresented party in a personal injury case. However, this difference would probably be far greater if only trucking accident cases were considered because of the sophisticated and specialized nature of trucking law and litigation.
Several reasons that big-rig injury victims benefit from working with an established trucking accident attorney include:
While negligence will usually be the key theory of liability in a trucking accident injury case, the factual and legal issues tend to be far more complicated than those in the average car accident. Some of these special issues include:
Because of the inherent threat to public safety associated with large trucks, the trucking industry is governed by an extensive matrix of regulations. Commercial carriers (trucking companies) engaged in interstate commerce (i.e., operating across state lines) must comply with regulations promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), while those operating solely within the state are subject to state and local regulations.
Our law firm and knowledgeable industry experts that we retain to investigate trucking injury claims pay special attention to disregarded regulations. When a truck driver or trucking company engages in conduct in violation of one of these mandated requirements, the legal theory of negligence per se makes it easier to prove negligence.
Our law firm investigates potential noncompliance with these regulations in multiple areas that include:
The trucking industry has a notorious reputation for the alteration or destruction of evidence when facing a personal injury claim. Our experienced semi-truck accident lawyers promptly investigate all potential defendants and send a preservation letter informing each that they might have important evidence in their possession, which they have a duty to preserve. For example, the truck’s “black box” and the condition of the truck must be preserved because they often provide crucial evidence.
This step is important because the trucking company and other recipients are put on notice that tampering with or destroying the items could bring a motion for sanctions in the form of legal fee awards or rulings adverse to their defense.
Although these tasks must be conducted when pursuing any traffic accident claim, the complexity and evidence preservation issues in trucking cases put a premium on experts and evidence collection.
Along with accident reconstruction experts, medical and psychological experts, economists, vocational counselors, and others with specialized knowledge often used in car accident claims, we frequently work with transportation investigators, safety experts, engineers, commercial vehicle/truck mechanics, roadway design experts, metallurgists, and others with specific expertise related to the trucking industry.
We also seek evidence from many sources to prove our client’s case, including but not limited to black box data; driver HOS logs, driver fuel, tire, and lodging receipts; electronic communications between drivers and the commercial carrier; commercial driver personnel files; and inspection and maintenance records.
Trucking companies anticipate that their vehicles and drivers will be involved in collisions that raise the prospect of liability for injuries and fatalities. Commercial carriers often have investigators that can be dispatched to analyze a collision site within minutes.
The trucking company begins gathering evidence and building its defense as soon as this occurs. Injury victims need someone protecting their interests against these well-prepared and financed defendants as soon as possible.
Factors like the following can cause accidents involving commercial drivers and semi-trucks:
The massive weight disparity between a semi-truck and a passenger car often means trucking accidents lead to serious or even catastrophic injuries. Some of the injuries that trucking accident victims experience include:
Because truck accident injuries are often more severe than passenger vehicle equivalents, that means the costs are higher, too. Financial costs for severe injuries can be through the roof, costing anywhere from five to six figures. Even minor injuries can be expensive, with one hospital visit costing at least a few thousand without health insurance coverage.
And that’s only considering the cost of medical treatment. You may also lose wages while you’re out of work. Other common costs with severe injuries include the cost of medical equipment (like a wheelchair) and the cost of in-home care. These things can add up quickly. On top of that, truck accident injuries can also cause a great change to one’s quality of life.
The mental cost can be quite heavy. In the case of a severe injury, truck accident victims may experience a huge change in their life. They may no longer know how to perform their daily tasks, or they might not be able to perform them without assistance. The combined mental and financial costs can be almost too much for some people to handle. Thankfully, our experienced team of attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve for these damages and more.
Our Minot semi-truck accident lawyers investigate to obtain the documents and evidence needed to maximize the value of our client’s claims and identify all sources of insurance. While the exact forms of damages in a commercial truck claim will depend on the specific facts and circumstances, some of the types of damages you might be entitled to receive include the following:
If you or a loved one has been injured in a North Dakota accident caused by a careless commercial driver or an indifferent trucking company, Sand Law, PLLC offers a free consultation so that we can evaluate your legal claim and explain how to protect your rights. The attorneys in our law firm serve truck accident injury victims in Minot and throughout Ward County, North Dakota. Call us today at (701) 609-1510 or email us for a truck accident case review.
America’s economy is highly dependent on the men and women of the trucking industry. They work long hours transporting materials, both important and banal, across the country, ensuring the flow of products like food, gasoline, and construction materials. The flip side of all that commuting, unfortunately, is an increased frequency of accidents involving their vehicles.
The statistics are alarming; in 2014, there were 136 fatalities in car accidents across the state. North Dakota’s car crash fatality rate is actually higher than the national average. This equates to a fatality every three days, and many of those fatalities came from accidents where one of the vehicles involved was a semi-truck.
There are numerous state and federal regulations attached to the trucking industry, many of them governing the safety and responsibility of the drivers. But as with any set of rules, the truck drivers or the companies they work for can see fit to bend them, leading to accidents. This kind of negligence takes many forms, such as:
While truck drivers often cause truck accidents, they aren’t the only potential liable party. Unlike car accidents, truck accidents often include a third party, such as the trucking company. If the driver isn’t at-fault for the accident, it’s likely one (or more) of the following parties.
The trucking company is the most frequently liable third party. The trucking company could be liable in the following scenarios:
Sometimes the loading team is a separate entity from the trucking company. If an outside team loaded the truck, they could be liable for any accidents caused by improper loading. For example, an accident could occur if the load wasn’t properly tied down or if it was unbalanced.
In some cases, trucks are borrowed from a rental company. If this is the case, the rental company would be responsible for any mechanical issues and maintenance. If an accident occurs because of a maintenance issue and the truck is a rental, the rental company could be liable.
In the case that a mechanical failure causes the accident, it may be the fault of the manufacturer. For example, if a defective or recalled part causes an accident.
The average sedan weighs just over a ton. In an average tractor-trailer, the front truck itself weighs almost ten tons, not even taking into account the weight of the cargo it’s pulling. This disparity in weight is what causes the majority of truck accident injuries to be catastrophic. The many types of injuries that can result from truck accidents include:
In the aftermath of a truck accident, there are steps you can take on the scene to protect yourself and aid your claim (just like in a car accident.) Actions you take in the immediate minutes and hours after the incident itself can be critical to proving injuries as a result of the accident and help your claim argument.
As stated previously, there are many parties that are involved in transport using semi-trucks, and as such, there are many entities who can be held liable. It can be the fault of driver error, the driver’s employer, the truck manufacturer, or the shipping company or other company involved in the loading of the truck’s cargo.
You can seek compensation for damages from any of those entities, as one or more of them may be responsible for injuries or death to you and your loved ones.
Truck accidents in North Dakota are a common occurrence that often result in devastating and lasting injuries to its unfortunate victims. When it comes to the devastating injuries resulting from a truck accident 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.
Semi-trucks, tankers, cargo trucks, tractor haulers, and other commercial trucks in North Dakota can cause catastrophic injuries when they collide with a passenger vehicle. Dangerous conditions, improper loading, and negligent drivers can all increase the risk of a truck accident which is why it’s critical that everybody do their part to keep our roads safe.
The truck accident attorneys at Sand Law are experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and litigating claims to get you the compensation you deserve. We handle commercial truck accidents that happen on North Dakota’s highways and roads, in the oil fields, and those caused by farming equipment and harvest season.
The unfortunate fact is that semi-trucks are a major cause of motor vehicle accidents in North Dakota. In fact, North Dakota has one of the highest fatality rates in the nation when it comes to trucking accidents. In 2018 (the most recent year there is data for), trucks were involved in 23% of all fatal crashes in North Dakota.
This is mostly due to the fact that North Dakota has a lot of industries that require trucking. In 2016, the trucking industry in North Dakota provided 1 out of 11 jobs in the state. This directly translates to North Dakota being one of the most fatal states in the country when it comes to truck accident deaths. Data from the NDOT reports 6.5 fatal accidents per 100,000 residents in ND, which is more than 5 times higher than the national average.
About 10.5 million large trucks are moving all kinds of goods in the US. And as US consumerism grows, so will trucking. It’s estimated the need for trucking will grow by about 29 percent in the next decade.
North Dakota faces the same challenges that all 50 states experience when it comes to truck accidents, but we also have some unique risk factors. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in North Dakota include the following:
Texting, eating, talking on the phone, or talking to a passenger are just a few examples of ways that drivers are distracted. Looking away from the road for even a second can cause an accident to occur.
Severe weather conditions such as rain, snow, sleet, black ice, and hail can make driving much harder. Truck drivers must be properly trained in driving in these weather conditions to prevent an accident from occurring.
Commercial trucks already require more time to stop than passenger vehicles, making speeding especially dangerous. If someone were to slam on their brakes or pull out in front of a speeding truck, the truck might not be able to stop in time.
Truck equipment should be maintained properly by the truck owner (either the trucking company or a rental company). If the owner fails to properly maintain the equipment, it could cause an accident.
North Dakota roads can be dangerous. With the changes in the season, drivers need to have experience with not only rainy and icy conditions but also the harvest season.
Drivers who aren’t fully trained shouldn’t be on the roads at all. Under-trained drivers can cause accidents with their ignorance, and both they and their employer could be liable.
Truck drivers are required to follow strict rules that tell them when and for how long they’re allowed to drive. Breaking these laws can result in driver fatigue and exhaustion.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol can limit one’s ability to drive properly. Being drunk can cause drivers to speed, not pay attention, swerve, drive aggressively, and more. A drunk driver behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle could cause serious damage to themselves and others.
Driving under the influence of drugs can cause impaired vision, hearing, and critical thinking. Truck drivers may take drugs to help keep themselves awake, but it does more harm than good.
Improper loading, like not tying cargo down correctly, can cause a shift in weight while driving, causing a rollover accident.
Overloading a truck can be just as bad, which is why there are often weigh stations on highways to ensure that trucks aren’t overloaded. Overloading a truck places a strain on the axles and other mechanical components of the truck, making it harder to control.
Now that we can clearly see that truck accidents are a problem in North Dakota, we can address what type of injuries they cause.
Smaller passenger vehicles are no match for heavy commercial trucks when they collide. This is directly due to the size and weight difference. This means that it’s mostly the passengers in the smaller vehicle that are injured during these collisions. Some common injuries that victims of truck accidents suffer from include:
Traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs) are caused by a great force or penetration to the skull. They can result in injuries that range from mild to severe. Victims of severe traumatic brain injuries can expect long-term treatment and high medical bills.
Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents. Other neck and back injuries include soft tissue damage, herniated discs, and spinal cord injuries. Neck and back injuries often cause chronic pain.
Crushing injuries are common in truck accidents because of the sheer impact a commercial vehicle can cause. Crushing injuries can cause various injuries at the same time, most often severely broken bones in multiple places.
Spinal cord injuries can range in severity and are often more severe the higher up on the spine the injury occurs. Spinal cord injuries may result in complete or incomplete paralysis. Spinal cord injuries are known for being incredibly expensive, as there’s no known cure. That means that they often require life-long treatment for pain management.
Internal injuries include damage to the organs and internal bleeding. These injuries require immediate treatment and can cause one to bleed out. Internal injuries may be unseen, which is why it’s important to receive medical treatment after an accident, even if you don’t believe that you’ve been injured.
Burn injuries may occur because of an explosion or fire. While they’re not common in truck accidents, they do occur. Trucks that carry hazardous materials are more likely to cause fires and burn injuries. Severe burns may require a skin graft and may leave the victim with visible scarring.
Soft tissues are usually minor, but more severe injuries are possible. Soft tissue injuries include torn ligaments and tendons, as well as sprains and strains. More severe injuries can cause chronic pain that flares up when the area is overused.
Unfortunately, wrongful death can occur because of truck accidents. Because commercial trucks are so large, fatalities can occur on impact. Death may also occur later on because of complications with injuries sustained in the accident.
There are a few different types of truck accidents that can occur based on the cause and involved parties. The most common types include:
These injuries can have long-lasting consequences and cost injury victims hundreds of thousands of dollars. Victims of extremely severe truck accidents often need surgery, rehabilitation, extensive assistive and rehabilitative care, and expensive medications.
Even less severe North Dakota truck accidents can cause injuries such as lacerations, concussions, sprains, lacerations, and more. All these injuries are debilitating and can be costly to treat.
These physical injuries are devastating. What is often just as devastating is the pain and suffering that commercial truck accident victims endure. These injuries can be just as difficult to overcome.
To receive compensation for your truck crash injuries, negligence must be proved. This may be the truck driver’s negligence, the company’s negligence, or the truck manufacturer’s negligence. These third parties may be liable for injuries caused in a truck accident. Proving negligence is a multi-step process that starts with establishing the following:
In a truck accident case, parties other than the driver may be liable for your injuries and damages. Potential third parties include the trucking company, the loading company, the truck rental company, or the manufacturer of the vehicle or a specific part. In some cases, multiple parties may share liability. Here are some examples:
Unfortunately, physical injuries are extremely common after North Dakota tractor-trailer accidents. A thorough review of a victim’s medical records by an auto accident attorney is essential for any personal injury case, especially one involving a large truck. Fortunately, it is possible to recover compensation for the damages caused by these injuries, like:
Having solid evidence is crucial when building a truck accident case. Most denied claims are rejected because of insufficient evidence. Types of evidence we’ll use to build your truck accident case include:
The North Dakota Truck Accident Law Firm of Sand Law PLLC handles cases in Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, Watford City, Williston, and throughout North Dakota. Our injury attorneys have the resources and experience to handle your truck accident case in a compassionate, personal, and effective manner.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, contact the Sand Law office or call 701-609-1510 for a free consultation.
Car accidents are bad enough at slow speeds – when they occur at interstate speed, they typically lead to catastrophic results. There are a lot of factors that make motor vehicle accidents that occur on interstates much more dangerous than the “average” car accident – as if such a thing even exists.
If you’ve suffered an injury in an interstate accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the attorneys with Sand Law will be here for you. We’ll work to help you obtain the most money possible for your claim, and be ready to fight for you if an insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer.
Contact us online or call 701-394-3912 to schedule a free consultation.
Why are interstate accidents more devastating than other types of wrecks? The answer is simple – speed. The higher the speed at which an accident occurs, the worse the injuries will be. In far too many instances, the outcome of this kind of wreck will often be a tragedy. Whether an accident involves a single-car rollover, or the accident involves multiple vehicles, increased speeds mean increased dangers.
There are a lot of different kinds of injuries associated with high-speed accidents. Here’s a brief look at some of the more common ones.
As bad as any kind of interstate accident can be, the damage can be even worse when it involves a truck. If you’ve been on an interstate for any length of time, you’ve no doubt seen scores of trucks transporting goods. This is especially true during the holidays, when truck drivers are under even more pressure to get their deliveries done so they can be with their families. When a truck hits a car, the occupants of that vehicle are put under tremendous forces. In many instances, victims can’t survive that type of impact.
These are just some of the many reasons interstate accidents occur.
Just about everyone has, at one time or another, been on a road trip going through several states. At times the drive can be, well, boring. You can only see so many billboards and trees before everything starts looking the same. Some drivers will turn to their phones to pass the time, or will continually change the channel on their radio. This, of course, takes their attention away from the road – even a momentary lack of focus can lead to horrible consequences.
When motorists are traveling a stretch of highway they’re not familiar with, entrance and exit ramps can get confusing. They might all of a sudden see the exit they need to take, and will swerve suddenly in order to make the ramp. Or, they may be so confused they go the wrong way, and quickly find they’re heading into oncoming traffic traveling at a high rate of speed.
This can happen at any time of the year, of course, but the dangers of these kinds of mistakes are even higher during the winter, when snowy conditions can make it harder to see.
Anyone who’s had the harrowing experience of driving in a construction zone on an interstate knows how challenging it can be. A four-lane stretch of interstate can suddenly turn into one or two lanes, with imposing concrete barriers on both sides. Motorists can also encounter heavy equipment, unexpected detours and other challenges. Any of these conditions can lead to an accident.
Drivers travel on interstates for a lot of different reasons. They may be headed on a cross-country trip, or they may simply use an interstate every day as part of their work commute. Wherever they’re going, they want to get there as fast as they possibly can. This, of course, means driving well over the speed limit.
Unfortunately, interstates can often bring surprises. There could be a pothole that someone’s not expecting, or the remnants of a blown-out tire. There might even be an animal, such as a deer, trying to get to the other side of the highway. When people are going too fast, they don’t have enough time to react to these challenges.
If a negligent driver has caused your interstate accident, one of the first things you should do is to contact a car accident attorney as soon as you can – the sooner the better. The reason is that a skilled attorney will have the resources to launch an immediate investigation into your wreck. This investigation will uncover the evidence you need to prove your case. This evidence will provide you with the best possible chance of obtaining fair compensation for the injuries you’ve suffered.
Sand Law attorneys have that skill, as well as the resources needed to perform thorough investigations. Put that skill to work for you by contacting us online or calling 701-394-3912 to schedule a free case review.
Wrongful death occurs when a person is killed because of a personal injury accident or because of injuries they sustained because of that accident. Trucks weigh 20-30 times more than the average passenger car, so the force of a truck crashing into a car can be monumental and devastating. With truck accidents, injuries tend to be more severe than an average car accident, so fatalities because of these severe injuries can be more common. In 2018, 5,096 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes.
Truck accidents, unlike car accidents, can be caused by more than just the driver. There are multiple parties that can be liable for a truck accident, and there are even circumstances where more than one party can be liable for a specific case. However, the most common causes of truck accidents still occur because of the driver’s negligence, such as distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and speeding and reckless driving.
Other common causes include driver fatigue, which can be the fault of both the driver and the trucking company. There are specific laws set into place that prevent drivers from driving too much each day and each week. If the trucking company allows the driver to drive over the legally allowed limit, or even encourages them to, the trucking company may also be liable for an accident that occurs because of the drivers exhaustion.
A trucking company would also be liable if an accident occured because of improper safety or training. If the driver was inexperienced because they didn’t receive enough training, it may put both parties at-fault for any accident that occured.
Improper loading can also cause accidents to occur, and this can be the fault of the person in charge of loading the truck. This may be the trucking company, but it could also be a completely different company and collection of employees. If a truck is loaded improperly, a shift in cargo during transit could cause an accident.
In the rare case that a truck malfunctions because of a safety issue or a defective part, the manufacturer of the truck could be liable for any accident that occurs.
A collision involving a commercial or semi-truck and passenger vehicle can cause a fatality in a lot of different ways. However, there are some injuries that are more likely to cause death, either on impact or later in the hospital, because of the extreme force from Minnesota truck accidents.
Brain injuries, like traumatic brain injury can range from mild to severe. More severe brain injuries involve serious brain damage which can lead to brain death and vegetative state. In cases of severe damage to the brain, recovery can be very difficult. If your loved one is in a vegetative state or is experiencing brain death because of their accident, speaking to an attorney can help you make the right decision for your case and your family.
Spinal injuries can result in paralysis, but if the injury is severe enough, can also result in death. The sudden blow to the spine is sometimes too much for the human body to take, and can result in death on impact. However, a patient may also pass away due to complications with their injury.
Internal injuries can be incredibly serious, as they may not be apparent right away, causing a delay in treatment. This delay in treatment may cause the injuries to get much worse. Internal injuries can include damage to the organs as well as internal bleeding.
Determining liability in a truck accident is a little bit more complex than determining car accident liability, simply because of the multiple parties that can be involved in the accident. Your attorney will begin an in-depth investigation to determine liability as soon as they’re hired. They will look at the potential causes of the accident and determine who was at-fault for those causes. For example, if your accident occured because the driver fell asleep at the wheel, your attorney may look deeper to find that they were overscheduled by their employer, making both the driver and the employer at-fault for the accident.
Wrongful death may leave the family of the loved one with a lot of debt to pay back. Hospital bills, funeral costs, and more. These debts can be overwhelming on top of the sadness you’re feeling for your lost loved one. You don’t have to deal with this alone, and a talented attorney can help to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve while you focus on grieving and feeling better.
In a wrongful death case, you can claim damages for medical costs, funeral costs, and any wages your loved one may have lost before they passed away. When it comes to pain and suffering, you can claim for your loved one’s pain and suffering as well as your own. How much has their death affected you, and how changed will your life be without them around? Did your loved one experience death at the scene of the accident, or was it prolonged? Your attorney can help you figure out how much to expect when it comes to compensation.
We know how hard it is to lose a loved one, but you don’t have to go through this alone. Our experienced attorneys are here and ready to help you get the compensation and justice that you deserve for the loss of your loved one. If someone you love has passed away because of a truck accident, please contact us online or at 701-609-1510 for more information or a free case evaluation.
North Dakota truck accident cases often involve something known as a third-party claim. This is a situation in which the injured person’s attorney can pursue multiple parties for their role in the accident. Because commercial semi trucks have so many different people involved. there is often multiple people at fault. These parties can include the truck driver, trucking company, the loading company, and the truck manufacturer, just to name a few. All of these parties may have some liability for your damages. And luckily, North Dakota law allows people to pursue multiple parties for their damages.
Sand Law PLLC is here for you. We want to get you through this difficult time with compassion and expert litigation to get you the compensation you deserve.
The investigating process of a North Dakota semi-truck accident is a very important part of the process. During the investigation, Sand Law will attempt to determine how the accident occurred, what conditions and situations played a role in the incident, and which parties were at-fault for the accident. This process often involves the use of experts, more on expert witnesses below.
We take eery truck accident investigation very seriously and will not breeze over this important process. This initial and critical phase requires the hired truck accident attorney to have the necessary resources, network, experts, and investigators to put together a strong case that will prove to a jury the fault of the defendants, the extent of the victim’s injuries, and the financial costs these injuries have caused and will continue to cause in the future.
North Dakota is common trucking hub, with many different types of commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers moving across our beautiful state. North Dakota truck accidents often have similarities, the most frequent of which is the causes of the accident and the injuries the accidents cause. A few common causes and injuries include:
North Dakota truck accidents are common enough that some similarities in what causes them can easily be gathered. Some common causes of semi-truck accidents are:
Truck accidents in Stanley and around North Dakota often cause serious injuries for the driver of the motor vehicle. As we discussed above, the size and weight difference between the two type of vehicles often contributes to very serious injuries. Common semi-truck accident injuries include:
The State of North Dakota and the federal government both recognize the dangers of truck accidents, and because of many different regulations designed to keep truckers and regular drivers safe have been put into place.
These regulations, which are enforced by North Dakota Department of Transportation, are designed to prevent common issues that often lead to serious, injury-causing truck accidents in North Dakota and around the United States.
Well-prepared and experienced truck accident attorneys handling Stanley, Mountrail, and North Dakota cases often use expert witnesses to help prepare their case for a successful outcome. These expert witnesses help prove to a jury what caused the truck accident, how the accident cause the victim’s injuries, and how those injuries will translate into financial costs (like medical bills, surgeries, future healthcare, etc.).
Truck accident and medical expert witnesses establish credibility for your claim and can be critical to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve and need for your truck accident case.
Some examples of expert witnesses used in a North Dakota commercial truck accident claim include:
Truck accidents in North Dakota are a common occurrence that often result in devastating and lasting injuries to its unfortunate victims. If you or a loved one were injured or passed away due to a truck accident, contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at Sand Law PLLC. Do not let the evidence that could get you significant compensation disappear because you waited too long to contact an attorney.
Contact Sand Law today by using our online contact form or by calling us at (701) 609-1510 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation today. We look forward to helping you and your family get started on the path to recovery, both physically and financially.
