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North Dakota Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Bismarck, Fargo, or elsewhere in North Dakota, The Advocates are here to help.

A Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

In the event of an accident, bicyclists are particularly vulnerable, often facing serious injuries or even fatalities. On top of physical pain, property damage, and emotional trauma, many accident victims find themselves fighting insurance companies for their right to a settlement.

The Advocates have taken on thousands of bicycle accident cases since 1992, and we are ready for yours. Our competent, experienced personal injury lawyers are standing by to listen to your story and get you started on the road to recovery.

After a bicycle accident, you need an Advocate for your personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Treatment Complete

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 

We can help you:

  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies
  • Take your case to court if necessary

You only pay if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

North Dakota Bicycle Accident Statistics

North Dakota state bicycle accident statistics

  • Since 2015, North Dakota has seen an average of 80 bicycle accidents each year
  • 1-2 bikers die in accidents in the state annually, accounting for around 2% of all vehicle accident fatalities in the state
  • Nationwide, the highest number of bicyclists killed in accidents belong to the age group of 25-44 year olds
  • Men are substantially more likely to be hurt or killed in a bicycle accident than women
  • 20-25% of all bicycle accidents occur between the hours of 6:00pm-9:00pm
  • Intoxicated bicyclists are 2,000% more likely to be involved in an accident than sober bikers
  • Cyclists who ride in groups are less likely to be struck by a vehicle than those who ride alone

Bicycle helmet statistics 

  • Around 60% of fatal bicycle accidents happen to riders who are not wearing a helmet 
  • In the majority of bicycle accidents, the most serious injuries are to the head
  • More injured cyclists check into emergency rooms for head injuries every year than participants of any other sport
  • Helmet users are less likely to be hospitalized after an accident than non-helmeted riders
  • Men are less likely to wear helmets while riding than women
  • Children whose bicycle helmets fit poorly are at twice the risk for head injury while riding than children with properly fitting safety gear
Bicyclist gets hit from the side, while car makes a right turn

Common causes of bike accidents

  • Distracted driving: Motorists become much more dangerous and unpredictable when texting or talking on the phone
  • Impaired driving: Bike accidents are far more likely to happen when the driver or bicycle rider is under the influence
  • Poor visibility: Cycling on poorly lit roads or riding without proper reflective gear makes it difficult for drivers to see bikers
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way: If motorists or cyclists are unfamiliar with the traffic laws in the area, they may enter intersections when it is not safe to do so, endangering those around them
  • Bad weather: When conditions are rainy or icy, it is easy for drivers or cyclists to lose control and swerve out of their lane

Common bicycle accident injuries 

Depending on the nature of your accident and the protective gear you were wearing at the time, bicycle accident injuries can range from road rash to life-threatening conditions. Some common injuries bicycle accident victims face are:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Broken bones
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Scrapes and bruising
Common injuries from bicycle accidents

North Dakota Bicycle Laws

Drivers must leave 3' between their vehicle and cyclists in North Dakota

How much space must motorists give bicyclists?

North Dakota law requires that motorists give bicyclists 3 feet of space when passing.

Does a bicyclist have to use the shoulder of the road in North Dakota?

Cyclists do not need to ride on the shoulder of the road. The law states that bicyclists should ride as close to the right side of the road as is practicable. 

There are a few exceptions to this rule. Cyclists may depart from the right side of the road under the following conditions:

  • When passing a slow-moving vehicle driving in the right lane
  • When making a left turn
  • When debris or other hazards are present on the right side of the road
  • On a one-way road with two or more lanes
Cyclist rides down a curvy road.
Stop sign on a blue gradient

Do bicyclists have to obey stop lights and stop signs?

North Dakota law states that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles when traveling on roadways. Therefore, cyclists must follow the same rules of the road as motorists.

Bicyclists should obey all the same signs and signals that motorists do, including:

  • Stop signs
  • Red lights
  • Yield signs
  • Lane markings
  • Railroad crossings

North Dakota does not observe the Idaho stop rule, meaning that bicyclists must wait for traffic lights to turn green, even if the sensor does not detect the weight of the cyclist.

What are the hand signal rules for bicyclists?

When turning, cyclists should use the universally-recognized hand signals to alert drivers to their intentions. Just as motorists are required to use their blinkers when changing direction, so too should bikers. The law requires cyclists to signal at least 100 feet before their turn.

In general, hand signals should be done using the left arm. The  following hand signals help communicate your plans to drivers:

  • Left turn: extend your left arm straight out to the side, parallel to the ground
  • Right turn: extend your left arm out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees so your forearm points straight up OR extend your right arm straight out to the side
  • Stop: extend your left arm out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees so your forearm points down toward the ground
Bicyclist signals that he will be turning left.
Hands on bicycle handle bars

Do bicyclists need both hands on the handlebars at all times?

You must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times when riding in North Dakota. The law states that no cyclist may carry any package or article that keeps them from keeping one hand on the handlebars.

What is the number of persons allowed on a bicycle?

Bicycles may only carry the number of persons that it was designed for. Each rider must have a seat.

Dad and daughter ride bicycle by a field.

What equipment must be on a bicycle in North Dakota?

North Dakota law requires all bicycles on public roadways to be equipped with the following:

  • A white headlamp visible from 500 feet (for riding at night only)
  • A red rear reflector
  • Brakes that allow the operator to make the bike skid on dry, level, clean pavement

When Should I Hire a Bicycle Injury Lawyer?

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you will need to prove that the driver of the vehicle was at fault in order to receive any damages. North Dakota follows the modified comparative negligence system. This means that even if you had some fault in your accident, you may still collect damages, as long as you were less than 51% responsible.

The at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely do everything they can to avoid paying you a fair settlement. If you attempt to fight these multi-million dollar companies on your own, you may end up feeling overwhelmed, confused, and stressed with nothing to show for it.

The personal injury attorneys at The Advocates have years of experience negotiating with insurance providers and fighting for their clients’ right to fair compensation under the law. We will be there to take worry off your plate, so you can focus on feeling better.

The Advocates law firm is here to help every step of the way. We will listen to your story, provide sound legal advice, and make sure you understand each step in the process. Contact us today for a free consultation.

You deserve an attorney who cares. You deserve an Advocate.

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