Fargo Car Accident Injury Attorneys

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.

Fargo Car Accident Injury Attorneys - Sand Law PLLC North Dakota Personal Injury Lawyers

Types of Car Accidents

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.

Interstate accidents. These accidents are usually particularly devastating because they occur at such a high rate of speed. Of course, the faster vehicles are traveling, the more severe the injuries will typically be when those vehicles are involved in an accident. Tragically, interstate accidents are oftentimes fatal, whether they involve a single car or multiple vehicles.
Head-on collisions. Any kind of car accident can be frightening, of course, but when another car is barreling straight toward you and you can’t do anything to get out of the way, there’s nothing more terrifying. Even when people are lucky enough to survive this type of accident, they are often left with injuries that debilitate them for the rest of their lives.
T-Bone accidents. When one vehicle slams into the side of another, the two vehicles typically form a “T” shape. That’s why side-impact collisions are also known as T-bone collisions. Most of the time, T-bone accidents take place at intersections due to one of the drivers running a stop sign or a red light.

Causes of Car Accidents in Fargo, North Dakota

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.

Reckless driving. Everybody gets frustrated behind the wheel at one time or another. But when someone takes their frustration too far and lashes out as a result, this is known as reckless driving. It could involve cutting off another motorist trying to merge onto a freeway or brake checking. This is where a driver hits their brakes suddenly because they feel the motorist behind them is following too closely.
Speeding. There are far too many times when a motorist will drive at an unsafe speed simply because they’re in a hurry to get home or to get to some other destination. We don’t need to tell you how horrible the consequences of speeding can be.
Distracted driving. When a motorist is so attached to their smartphone that they cause an accident by texting or talking while behind the wheel, that’s a classic example of distracted driving. Even a momentary lapse of focus due to changing a radio station, reaching for something in the passenger seat, or simply daydreaming while looking out the side window can lead to a terrible accident.
Drunk driving. Nothing is more devastating, however than suffering a severe injury or losing a loved one due to a drunk motorist’s negligence. When someone drives impaired, they can’t react as quickly as normal, and they typically can’t concentrate. The result is, in far too many instances, fatal.

Who’s Liable for My Car Accident?

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.

How to Prove Liability

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:

The party owed you a certain duty of care. This one is simple, as all motor vehicle drivers owe each other this duty. It’s the duty to drive in a way that won’t endanger others. Basically, when anyone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they’re agreeing to drive safely.
They breached this duty by acting with negligence. For example, they were texting while driving or speeding.
Causation, meaning that you’ll need to prove that the breach directly caused the accident and your resulting injuries.
That you have actual damages as a result of the accident and your injuries, such as medical bills or experienced pain and suffering.

Types of Injuries in a Fargo Car Accident

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.

Steps to Take for a Successful Claim

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.

Understanding Compensation: What You Can Claim After a Fargo Car Accident

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.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation for Your Fargo 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.