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Williston Truck Accident Lawyers

The Advocates personal injury law firm is based in Williston, North Dakota. We help truck accident victims through the legal process.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Assist You with Your Case 

North Dakota has the highest percentage of trucks involved in fatal crashes in the nation, at 23%. Commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large vehicles are always driving through town. They are a vital part of the economy but can cause severe injuries and property damage to passenger vehicles.  

Have you been in a truck accident in Williston, Minot, or another part of North Dakota? If so, The Advocates are here for you. We are truck accident attorneys who provide legal services for people who have been in a truck crash.  

We can stop your medical expenses from going to collections, represent your personal injury claim against the trucking company, and get you fair compensation for your pain and suffering.  

Our Williston truck accident attorneys are here for everyone in North Dakota. Call us today, and we can help you on the road to a financially secure recovery.

The Next Steps in Your North Dakota Truck Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

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

Property Damage

Get the damage on your car assessed and fixed

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.  

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

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement. 

For more information on how settlements and payments work, please see our contingency fee information page.  

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 gather evidence, monitor your medical treatment progress, keep an accurate record of all relevant documents and facts to support your claim, negotiate and correspond with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary.   

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 zealously pursue your claim through resolution.   

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process depends on many factors, including but not limited to the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and much more.  

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several 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, if you do not resolve or file a lawsuit within the prescribed time, you will lose your right of action.  

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you focus on healing. Generally, once all evidence has been gathered and your medical treatment has been completed or you are back to feeling yourself again, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to secure a settlement on your behalf.  

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 lawsuit in the litigation phase. Your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator. 

A Team of Truck Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case  

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair 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 
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party 

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Understanding Trucks in North Dakota

Semi-truck dimensions

What exactly is a truck?

A truck is a vehicle larger than a passenger car, mainly used to transport special equipment or other goods.   

A whole range of vehicles can be considered a commercial truck. Some of the defining qualities of this type of vehicle are:  

  • Weight: Trucks have different weight categories. They range from a Class 1 pickup truck weighing less than 6,000 pounds to a Class 8 tractor-trailer (also called a semi-truck) weighing 33,001 pounds or more.  
  • Purpose: A good rule of thumb is that trucks transport things while passenger vehicles transport people. However, there are some exceptions, such as buses. City transit and school buses are categorized as trucks.  
  • Design: Trucks usually have a much heavier chassis or frame, which supports the heavy loads they have to haul.   
  • Height: Trucks are usually taller, wider, and longer than passenger vehicles. They have a higher ground clearance and a much more durable suspension system.   

Knowing what a truck is can help you with your personal injury claim. This information will help your personal injury lawyer better investigate your accident.   

Why truck fatalities are so common in North Dakota 

  • Adverse weather: A North Dakotan winter can be freezing, foggy, snowy, windy, and icy—sometimes all those things at once. These hazards make it more difficult for truck drivers to drive their rigs safely.   
  • Driver fatigue: Driving in rural regions leaves one feeling isolated, and most of North Dakota is rural, especially the area around Williston. Plus, there are few truck stops, forcing drivers to try and power through fatigue. Sometimes, they exceed their driving limits to meet their delivery schedules.   
  • The oil industry: North Dakota is the third most oil-producing state. Its production is now small compared to the Bakken Oil Boom, which peaked in 2012. Still, many semi-trucks carry equipment and other materials used in the oil extraction process. More trucks on the road mean more accidents and fatalities.  
  • Lack of infrastructure: Dirt roads, no guardrails, and inadequate signage are all too common in rural North Dakota, making trucking more dangerous than it usually is.  
Tired truck driver feeling sleepy and sick
Red truck transport with container on winter road

The critical reasons why truck drivers crash 

Rather than examining the factors that cause truck crashes, like fatigue or drug use, it is much more helpful to know why a driver might crash in response to certain factors.  

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has four categories for the reasons truck drivers might crash:  

  • Performance: The driver overreacted to road conditions by overcorrecting on ice, for example.   
  • Non-performance: The driver failed to act because of an impairment, such as falling asleep or having a heart attack.  
  • Decision: The driver made a bad choice, such as speeding.   
  • Recognition: The driver failed to notice what was happening on the road due to distraction. 

Most common truck accident injuries   

  • Traumatic brain injuries   
  • Neck and back injuries   
  • Broken bones   
  • Internal injuries   
  • Lacerations and contusions  
  • Disfigurement  
  • Burns   
  • Psychological injuries  
  • Wrongful death of a loved one 
common injuries from truck accidents
Policeman writing up report on incident when an injury occurred

What to do after a truck accident   

Experiencing a truck accident can be chaotic and stressful. However, it is crucial to stay as composed as possible and follow these steps:  

  • Ensure safety  
  • Call 911 
  • Provide the police with facts of the accident 
  • Exchange information with all parties involved in the accident 
  • Document every aspect of the scene 
  • Keep all documents related to the accident, such as medical bills 
  • Do not admit fault 
  • Seek medical attention 
  • Consult an experienced personal injury attorney 

Trucking Accidents and Personal Injury Law in North Dakota

Close up focus on courtroom microphone with attorney in the background.

How fault is determined in a North Dakota trucking accident   

Truck accidents are a bit different than other types of accidents.  

Truck drivers will usually take the blame if they do not follow traffic laws and practice safe driving. If their negligence, such as drinking and driving, causes you serious injuries, then they will usually be personally responsible.    

Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring driver competence, conducting thorough background checks, and providing adequate training. They must also properly maintain their fleets to prevent mechanical failures and comply with federal hours-of-service regulations to avoid pressuring drivers into unsafe practices. Failure to meet these responsibilities can result in liability for accidents and legal repercussions.   

North Dakota uses a modified comparative negligence system. If you are found to be under 50% at fault for the accident, you can proceed with a truck accident claim. Your final settlement will be reduced by how much of the accident was your fault.  

For example, if you are 25% at fault for the accident, your compensation will be 75% of the original.   

Statute of limitations for trucking accidents   

The statute of limitations in North Dakota is six years from the date of the accident. This is for litigation involving personal injuries. Cases involving property damage also have a six-year time limit.  

Medical bill from the hospital, concept of rising medical cost.

What damages can I seek in my truck accident claim?  

Every case is different, so you should speak to a personal injury attorney to know what you can seek in your specific case.  

As a general guide, some common damages sought by truck accident victims include:  

  • Medical expenses  
  • Property damage  
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity  
  • Non-economic damages like pain and suffering  
  • Funeral and burial expenses in cases of wrongful death  

A personal injury attorney with The Advocates can help you determine what you can seek. Contact our Williston office today for a free case review. 

When Should I Hire a Williston Truck Accident Lawyer?

You should hire a lawyer as soon as you can. Six years is a long time to file a personal injury case, but that time flies by when you must also juggle all the complexities of your life post-truck accident. Call The Advocates today, and we will begin your journey with a free case evaluation.  

From there, you can do whatever you need with your case. Our Williston personal injury lawyers will provide the legal representation required to win your case. We are a law office that puts people over profits, so our attorneys do not earn anything unless they win your case.  

This philosophy drives the work we do.   

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, our law office is ready to help. From Bismarck to Fargo, we are here for every truck accident victim in North Dakota.   

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