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North Dakota Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian in North Dakota, The Advocates are here to help.

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A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

When a motor vehicle collides with a pedestrian, it can mean disaster. Because pedestrians are much smaller than motor vehicles and have far less protection than motorists, they often suffer serious injuries or even fatalities.

The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates have been helping pedestrian accident victims for more than 30 years. Our legal team will be by your side for the entirety of your case to help you obtain a fair settlement.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident and need an experienced attorney for your personal injury claim, contact The Advocates today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, assess your 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

Medical Records

Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery

Finish Treatment

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.

We Get Results

$500 Million

In Settlements

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For more than 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:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters
  • Take your case to court if necessary

You only pay if we win your case!

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Talk to a professional

North Dakota Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Dangerous situation on zebra crossing. Intentional motion blur

Where are pedestrian accidents most likely to occur?

  • Most pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks or in other urban areas
  • Rural roadways away from intersections see more fatal accidents because vehicles are more likely to travel at high speeds
  • The highest number of accidents each year happen in metro areas, as well as areas with urban cores
  • Pedestrians accidents are more likely to happen in dark conditions than during the daytime or at dusk

North Dakota pedestrian accident statistics

  • In recent years, North Dakota has seen an average of 115 pedestrian accidents every year
  • An average of about 7 pedestrians are killed in the state annually
  • Pedestrian accident victims are split fairly evenly between men and women in North Dakota 
  • North Dakota has one of the lowest rates of pedestrian deaths in the country, coming in 41st
  • In 2021, pedestrians accounted for nearly 10% of all motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state
  • 1 in 6 pedestrians involved in an accident is impaired
  • Nationwide, a pedestrian is killed in an accident about every 81 minutes
  • According to the NHTSA, the number of pedestrian accidents has increased over the last few years
  • Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, and Grand Forks see high numbers of traffic accidents each year, compared with the rest of the state
man using phone while driving the car

Common causes of pedestrian accidents

  • Speeding: Speeding decreases motorists’ reaction time and increases the chance of catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
  • Impaired driving or walking: Motorists and pedestrians who are under the influence are more likely to be involved in an accident.
  • Distracted driving or walking: Both drivers and pedestrians should remain alert when on or near roadways.
  • Failure to yield right-of-way: It’s important to be familiar with the rules of the road– drivers should yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, while pedestrians should yield when crossing at non-crosswalk locations.
  • Poor visibility: When possible, pedestrians should walk in well-lit areas and wear bright or reflective clothing. Motor vehicle drivers should expect that a pedestrian could be present at any time, and drive accordingly.
  • Pedestrians walking unsafely: Pedestrians should use sidewalks when possible and walk against the flow of traffic. Being as predictable as possible is the best way to keep yourself safe while walking.

Common pedestrian accident injuries 

When pedestrians are involved in a car accident, they may suffer injuries that range from mild to life-threatening. It is not uncommon for injured pedestrians to suffer:

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

North Dakota Pedestrian Laws

Woman crossing street at the crosswalk

Where can pedestrians cross the street?

State law states that pedestrians may cross the street in the following locations:

  • At a marked crosswalk
  • At an unmarked crosswalk (typically at intersections with a sidewalk on either side)
  • Using a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing

If a pedestrian crosses the street at any point besides a crosswalk, they must yield the right-of-way to motor vehicles.
Any time a vehicle is stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the street, no other vehicle may pass them from behind.
Pedestrians must also yield to emergency vehicles when their lights are flashing.

Where should pedestrians walk when there is no sidewalk?

Pedestrians and those in wheelchairs should always use the sidewalk when possible and practicable. When a sidewalk is not present, pedestrians should:

  • Walk on the shoulder of the road, as far from the roadway as possible
  • Walk against traffic (usually on the left side of the road)
  • Strive to remain as visible as possible– wear bright and/or reflective clothing, especially at night

Pedestrians walking on the roadway (except for in a crosswalk) must yield the right-of-way to motor vehicles.
Pedestrians who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol may not walk on the roadway.

Girl walks on the shoulder of a a country road
Business people discussion advisor concept

What is the statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident?

For any personal injury case, a plaintiff only has a certain amount of time to file their claim. After that time period is up, they lose their right of action. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in North Dakota is 6 years. In the case of wrongful death, the time limit is 2 years. However, it is a good idea to file your claim much sooner than that. 
Personal injury cases can take a long time to settle, so it is a good idea to give yourself as much time as possible before the statute of limitations is up. As soon as you think you may have a case, contact a personal injury lawyer so they may begin working on your claim.

When Should I Hire a North Dakota Pedestrian Attorney?

If you were injured by a negligent driver, it may be time to consider hiring a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will be able to take on the claims process while you focus on feeling better.
The at-fault party’s insurance company will likely go out of its way to avoid paying you full compensation for your damages. They will attempt to fight you at every turn, making your road to recovery much longer and more difficult than it should be.

The Advocates law firm has helped thousands of accident victims receive compensation for their damages. We will offer sound legal advice, build a solid case, negotiate with insurance providers, and represent you in court if necessary.
We are here to help every step of the way– our number one priority is your recovery. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve an attorney who will do whatever they can to protect your rights. You deserve an Advocate.

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