Helping Injured Pedestrians Recover Full Compensation in Grand Forks and Minot
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle often faces serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and hard questions about who will pay. Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. represents injured pedestrians and their families throughout North Dakota, with offices in Grand Forks and Minot. After a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to no-fault benefits for your medical costs and a separate claim against the at-fault driver for your full losses. Our North Dakota pedestrian accident lawyers investigate the crash, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the maximum compensation available so you can focus on healing.
Why Choose Pringle & Herigstad, P.C.
When you are recovering from a pedestrian accident, the firm you choose matters. Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. has represented injured North Dakotans since 1909 and brings deep local knowledge of the courts, juries, and roads in Grand Forks, Minot, and across the state. Clients trust us with their claims for many reasons including:
- More than a century of trusted representation. We’ve stood with injured North Dakotans since 1909, and that experience shows in how we read a case, a courtroom, and a jury.
- You work directly with your attorney. You won’t be passed off to a case manager or left wondering what’s happening. You’ll have a lawyer who listens, answers your questions, and keeps you informed at every step.
- No fees unless we win. We handle pedestrian injury claims on a contingency basis, so you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
- A firm that prepares every case for trial. Insurance companies offer more when they know you’re ready to go the distance. We build every claim to win in the courtroom, not just to settle quickly.
- Local roots, statewide reach. From our offices in Grand Forks and Minot, we represent clients across North Dakota, with the home-court knowledge of the roads, courts, and communities involved.
You focus on healing. We’ll handle the legal process from start to finish, keep you informed along the way, and fight for the full compensation you’re owed. Your first consultation is always free, and because we work on contingency, there’s no cost to find out where you stand.
Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in North Dakota?
Liability for a pedestrian accident in North Dakota usually falls on the driver whose negligence caused the crash, although more than one party can share responsibility. Drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care. Under state law, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk when traffic signals are not in operation. All drivers must exercise due care to avoid striking a pedestrian and take extra precaution around children.
A driver may be at fault for distracted driving, speeding, failing to yield, or driving while impaired. In some situations, a third party such as an employer, a vehicle owner, or a government entity responsible for a dangerous roadway may also share fault. Identifying every responsible party is one of the first things our attorneys do, because it affects how much compensation you can recover and from whom.
Does North Dakota’s No-Fault System Apply to Pedestrians?
Yes. North Dakota’s no-fault insurance system covers pedestrians injured by a motor vehicle. After a pedestrian accident, basic no-fault benefits, also called personal injury protection, pay for medical expenses and a portion of lost income regardless of who was at fault.
No-fault benefits are capped at $30,000 per person for any one accident. If the vehicle that struck you is insured, that vehicle’s no-fault insurer pays your benefits. If it was uninsured, you can turn to your own no-fault coverage, if you have it. You can read more about how North Dakota’s insurance system works before you speak with an adjuster.
However, no-fault benefits have limits. They do not cover pain and suffering, and the $30,000 cap may not be enough to address a serious injury. Speaking with an attorney early helps you understand what these benefits cover and what additional compensation you may be owed.
When Can You Sue the At-Fault Driver?
You can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and other losses beyond no-fault benefits when your injury meets North Dakota’s serious injury threshold. State law defines a serious injury as one that results in death, dismemberment, serious and permanent disfigurement or disability beyond sixty days, or medical expenses greater than $2,500.
Many pedestrian injuries meet this threshold because the body has so little protection against a vehicle. Pedestrian crashes frequently cause catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple fractures. When a crash is fatal, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim. A claim against the at-fault driver can recover medical expenses beyond your no-fault limit, future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
What if You Were Partly at Fault for the Accident?
You can still recover compensation in North Dakota as long as your share of fault is less than the combined fault of everyone else responsible for the crash. The state follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you are found 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. If your share is less, you can recover, but your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
Insurance companies often argue that a pedestrian was crossing carelessly in order to reduce or deny a claim. Pedestrians do have duties, such as yielding to traffic when crossing outside a crosswalk, but those duties do not erase a driver’s responsibility to drive carefully. Our attorneys gather evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and any available video, to counter unfair blame and protect your right to full recovery.
What to Expect When You Work With Our Firm
From your first call, we focus on making the process clear and manageable. We start with a free consultation to review what happened and explain your options. If you hire us, we investigate the crash, gather medical records, and handle all communication with the insurance companies so you do not have to.
Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which positions us to negotiate strong settlements and, when necessary, take your case before a jury.
Talk to a North Dakota Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one was hurt in a pedestrian accident, do not face the insurance process alone. Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. has fought for injured North Dakotans for more than a century, with offices in Grand Forks and Minot. Contact Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. today for a free consultation, and remember that you owe nothing unless we recover for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in North Dakota?
In most cases, you have six years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Dakota. If a pedestrian accident results in death, the deadline for a wrongful death claim is shorter, generally two years from the date of death. Because evidence can fade quickly, it is wise to speak with an attorney well before any deadline.
Who pays my medical bills after a pedestrian accident?
Basic no-fault benefits pay your initial medical bills and part of your lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, up to $30,000 per person. These benefits usually come from your own auto insurance if you have a policy, or from the insurer of the vehicle that struck you. If your costs exceed the no-fault limit, a claim against the at-fault driver can cover the difference.
Do I need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident claim?
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but pedestrian accident claims often involve serious injuries and aggressive insurers. An attorney can manage both the no-fault and liability claims, calculate the full value of your losses, and negotiate for a fair result. Because Pringle & Herigstad, P.C. works on contingency, there is no upfront cost to getting legal help.