Personal injuries can arise from all types of accidents. The party responsible for causing the injury can be liable under negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability laws. With any type of personal injury, seeking prompt legal advice from a North Dakota personal injury attorney is essential. Below are the top five most common types of personal injury accidents.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Traffic accidents are among the most common reasons for filing personal injury claims. From 2014 through 2023, North Dakota reported an average of 13,058 accidents per year. Thousands of people are injured each year in motor vehicle accidents.
Motor vehicle accidents include, but are not limited to, crashes involving:
- Passenger vehicles
- Commercial trucks
- Pedestrians
- DUI accidents (i.e., impaired drivers)
- Motorcycles
- Bicyclists
- Distracted drivers
North Dakota requires drivers to purchase liability insurance coverage for accidents. Victims might be able to recover compensation by filing an insurance claim. However, you may need to file a lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Another common cause of injuries is slip and fall accidents. Examples of reasons for slips, trips, and falls include:
- Inadequate lighting
- Damaged, worn, or uneven flooring
- Lack of fall protection
- Defective ladders and scaffolding
- Clutter and debris in walkways
- Wet and slippery floors
- Exposed cables and wiring
- Cracks and potholes
- Broken steps and stairs
- Lack of handrails and guards
Slip and fall accidents are governed by premises liability laws. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises. They could be liable for damages when they fail to meet their duty of care.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death occurs when someone causes the death of another person because of intentional torts, negligence, or other wrongdoing. The courts cannot undo the harm and suffering the family experiences.
Wrongful death laws can provide a monetary award for the family. Money is not a replacement for a loved one, but it can help the family with financial needs as they deal with the loss.
Construction Accidents
Construction jobs are dangerous. Workers face numerous hazards on the job, including, but not limited to:
- Falls from heights
- Slips and trips
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Caught in between objects
- Electrocution and electrical injuries
- Struck by objects
- Defective tools and equipment
An injured construction worker may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. They may also have a third party claim, which can compensate them for pain and suffering and other damages not covered by workers’ comp.
Product Liability
Millions of products cause injuries and deaths each year. A product may be defective because of its design or manufacturing process. Defective product claims may also arise because of inadequate warnings or instructions.
Common defective product claims include:
- Airbags, tires, and motor vehicles
- Medical equipment and devices
- Pharmaceuticals
- Appliances and electronics
- Children’s toys, car seats and furniture
- Household chemicals
- Food products
- Industrial and workplace equipment
Each year, millions of people are injured or killed by defective products. Product liability claims compensate injured victims and their families for losses and damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our North Dakota Personal Injury Attorneys
Navigating personal injury claims can be confusing and frustrating. At Pringle & Herigstad, P.C., our North Dakota personal injury attorneys handle all aspects of your case. Call us for a free case evaluation to discuss your legal options with a lawyer.
