Catastrophic injury claims and wrongful death actions are common after commercial truck accidents in western North Dakota. Roughly three-fourths of the deaths and injuries in large truck accidents are people in other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Victims in truck crashes suffer immediate injuries, significant financial hardships, and long-term collateral consequences.
At Pringle & Herigstad, PC, our Trenton truck accident lawyers have decades of combined experience handling complex truck accident cases. We have successfully represented individuals devastated by injuries sustained in semi-truck, big rig, tractor-trailer, and other large commercial vehicle accidents. Our attorneys have secured millions for our clients in life-changing settlements and verdicts.
We represent clients throughout North Dakota from our offices in Grand Forks and Minot. Call today for a free consultation with a Trenton truck crash attorney.
Trenton Truck Accident Lawyers Serving Western North Dakota
Truck accident claims are much more complex than ordinary car accident cases. State and federal trucking regulations may impact the case, as well as the involvement of multiple parties. The risk of catastrophic damage and disputes related to liability is also higher for truck accident cases.
At Pringle & Herigstad, PC, our top-rated Trenton personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling commercial truck accident claims. Our legal team helps clients seek the compensation they need and deserve by:
- Conducting prompt and independent investigations to preserve evidence, including the truck’s black box, the driving log, maintenance records, physical evidence, the driver’s employment records, etc.
- Work with leading trucking industry experts and other expert witnesses
- Carefully document injuries and losses to assess how much the claim is worth
- Handle all communications with the insurance provider, trucking company, and other parties
- Aggressively pursue negotiations for the full value of damages
- Prepare the case for trial from the early stages to provide additional leverage during settlement negotiations by insisting we will take the case to trial if necessary to protect our client’s best interests
Our North Dakota truck crash attorneys represent clients in Trenton, Williston, Watford City, and the surrounding oilfield communities. We assist all types of truck accident victims, including commercial drivers, injured parties, families who lost loved ones, out-of-state drivers and workers, and oilfield workers.
If you were injured in a truck accident, you can rely on our decades of experience handling injury claims in North Dakota and our reputation as skilled injury lawyers. Contact Pringle & Herigstad, PC to request your free case evaluation with an experienced Trenton truck accident lawyer.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Trenton, ND
Semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles are involved in a wide range of crashes, including jackknife, rollover, and rear-end collisions. The causes of truck accidents in Trenton are often based on negligence. Common reasons for truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Overloading trucks
- Impaired driving (i.e., drunk driving and drugged driving)
- Driving at excessive speeds
- Lack of adequate and necessary maintenance and repairs
- Improperly loaded and/or secured cargo
- Failing to follow truck regulations, including hours of service, substance testing, training, etc.
- Truck’s blind spots (i.e., no zones)
- Inexperienced and/or poorly trained drivers
- Fatigued and drowsy drivers
- Road rage and aggressive driving
- Truck and part defects
- Failing to obey traffic laws
Other factors that could contribute to the cause of a truck crash include road conditions and poor weather. A thorough investigation is necessary to identify all factors contributing to the crash. Parties contributing to the cause of a commercial truck accident can be held liable for injuries and damages caused by the crash.
Who Can Be Held Liable For Injuries Caused by North Dakota Truck Accidents?
Multiple parties may be responsible for damages caused by a truck accident. Even if the truck driver is primarily responsible for causing a collision, other parties may also share liability for the resulting damages. Potentially responsible parties include:
- The truck driver
- The shipper and/or loader
- The trucking company
- A leasing company
- The owner of a tractor and/or trailer
- A construction company
- A maintenance or repair facility
- An entity responsible for road maintenance
- Other motorists
- Manufacturers of defective trucks and parts
Proving liability for damages requires the accident victim to secure evidence proving how the truck accident occurred (i.e., causation). They must also prove that the party’s conduct was a direct and proximate reason for the crash and that the crash resulted in their injuries and damages.
Understanding Truck Accident Injury Claims in North Dakota
When car accidents occur in North Dakota, injured parties file claims with their no-fault insurance provider. North Dakota requires all drivers to have at least $30,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. Regardless of fault, PIP insurance pays medical bills and other economic losses. However, no-fault insurance is limited and does not pay any non-economic damages.
Accident victims can step outside of the no-fault system to sue an at-fault party for accident injuries. If your medical bills exceed $2,500 or you sustain a permanent and serious disfigurement or disability for more than 60 days, you can pursue a personal injury claim.
It is crucial to work with an experienced Trenton truck accident lawyer to pursue injury claims after truck accidents. You have the burden of proving fault and other legal elements to recover compensation. At Pringle & Herigstad, PC, we are prepared to fight the trucking company and other parties to obtain fair compensation for a truck accident claim.
Available Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
The damages you receive for a large truck accident claim depend on the severity of your injuries and other factors. A liability claim can include compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and decreased earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses and rehabilitative care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Long-term personal and/or nursing care
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished quality of life
An essential factor to note is North Dakota’s modified comparative fault rule (N.D. Cent. Code §32-03.2-02). Victims who are found to be more than 50% to blame for causing a truck accident can be barred from receiving any money for their claim. Therefore, if you are 55% at fault, you may not receive any damages.
However, if your fault is less than 50 percent, your damages are reduced by your level of fault. Therefore, if you are 15% to blame for causing the truck accident, your damages are reduced by 15 percent.
Insurance companies often shift blame to accident victims to avoid paying claims. It is crucial that you avoid talking to anyone from the insurance company or trucking company without an attorney present. Always seek prompt medical treatment and legal advice after a truck accident.
What Is the Deadline to File a Truck Accident Claim in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a six-year statute of limitations for most accident claims. If the accident results in a death, the family has two years to file a wrongful death claim. Failing to meet the deadline could result in you losing your right to file a lawsuit.
Delays in seeking legal advice and gathering evidence could make it more difficult to win your case. Information from the truck’s black box could be lost or destroyed. Eyewitnesses may forget details or move away. The sooner you retain counsel; the sooner you have a legal team on your side to protect your rights and fight for your best interests.
Contact Our Trenton Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Time is a critical factor in truck accident claims. At Pringle & Herigstad, PC, our legal team works quickly to preserve evidence for a semi-truck accident injury claim in Trenton. We utilize our vast resources to protect our clients’ rights and best interests.
Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in North Dakota. We are here for you and your family when you need a trusted, aggressive advocate on your side.