Truck accidents are a serious concern on North Dakota’s highways, often resulting in life-altering injuries, financial stress, and complicated legal questions. When you’re hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, having a knowledgeable legal team by your side can make all the difference. The Punjabi Truck Accident Lawyer team offers dedicated legal support to truck accident victims across the state.
We proudly serve clients from all backgrounds, and for those who feel more comfortable speaking Punjabi, we have attorneys who can assist you in your preferred language.
What Does a North Dakota Punjabi Truck Accident Attorney Do?
After a serious truck crash, a North Dakota Punjabi truck accident attorney steps in to protect your rights and guide you through the legal process. From investigating the scene to handling insurers, your attorney manages the details so you can focus on recovery.
Truck cases often involve federal regulations and multiple liable parties, which is why having an experienced truck wreck lawyer is key to securing fair compensation. At Punjabi Truck Accident Lawyer, we proudly offer Punjabi-speaking attorneys while serving clients of all backgrounds across North Dakota. Cultural understanding is a strength, but results are our priority.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in North Dakota
According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Vision Zero Crash Summary, heavy vehicle crashes (including trucks) comprised 64% of all serious truck-related collisions between October and March 2023, and 81% occurred in rural areas. Roadway design, maintenance, and environmental factors play a significant role. Roadway design, maintenance, and environmental factors play a significant role. Here are the most common contributing factors:
- Driver fatigue: Long routes and tight schedules push drivers beyond safe limits.
- Distracted driving: Even brief lapses in attention can cause devastating crashes.
- Speeding: Trucks need more time to stop; speed plays a major role in ND fatalities.
- Improper cargo loading: Unbalanced loads can lead to rollovers or jackknifes.
- Equipment failure: Poor maintenance or faulty parts can cause sudden malfunctions.
- Weather & roads: Ice, wind, and dark rural roads increase crash risks, especially in winter.
Understanding these causes is crucial when building a solid legal claim. Our attorneys, knowledgeable commercial truck accident lawyers, will investigate the root cause, whether it involves driver behavior, mechanical issues, or poor maintenance, and identify all potentially liable parties.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
A truck accident can leave you shaken, confused, and unsure of what to do next. But the actions you take, starting at the scene, can make a big difference in your physical recovery and your legal case. In North Dakota, there are specific laws about accidents, providing aid, and documenting the event. Following these steps can help protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover damages.
Ensure Safety
If you can safely move, get yourself and others out of harm’s way, ideally to the side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. If someone is seriously injured, avoid moving them unless there’s immediate danger (like fire or leaking fuel). North Dakota’s rural highways can have limited visibility, so always be mindful of oncoming traffic.
Call Emergency Services
Call 911 right away, especially if anyone is injured or there is significant property damage. North Dakota law requires that accidents involving injury, death, or $4,000 or more in property damage be reported to police or highway patrol. Drivers in North Dakota have a legal obligation to offer “reasonable assistance” to anyone injured in the accident. This can include calling an ambulance or helping them get to a hospital. Failing to do so could result in penalties or harm your case later on.
Exchange Information
Before leaving the scene, you must exchange contact and insurance information with all involved drivers. If there are any witnesses, try to collect their names and phone numbers as well.
Document the Scene
Use your phone to take photos or videos of the vehicles, license plates (especially the truck’s DOT number), damage, skid marks, and surrounding road conditions. Try to document any company names or logos on the truck. This information may be crucial in helping your truck wreck lawyer determine liability and build your case. If law enforcement didn’t respond to the scene, you may be required to file a report yourself, especially if the crash involved injuries or significant damage. North Dakota drivers must file an official report if a crash meets those criteria. Failing to report could lead to fines or license suspension.
Call a Lawyer
Before speaking with the trucking company’s insurer, contact an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer. Trucking companies are often quick to send representatives to the scene or pressure victims into early settlements. Having a lawyer on your side ensures that your rights are protected, evidence is preserved, and you aren’t taken advantage of during a vulnerable time.
Damages Available After a Truck Accident
Victims of truck accidents in North Dakota may be entitled to recover several types of damages depending on the severity of the crash, who was at fault, and the extent of their losses. Because trucking accidents often involve commercial carriers, which may result in serious injuries, the financial impact can be greater than a typical car crash.
While North Dakota is a no-fault state, meaning your insurance pays for some damages regardless of fault, there are situations where you can pursue a claim against the at-fault party, especially when injuries are serious or damages exceed your policy limits.
Economic Damages
These are measurable financial losses directly caused by the accident. They typically include:
- Medical Bills: Emergency care, hospital stays, follow-ups, surgeries, medications, rehab, and future medical needs.
- Lost Wages: Income you were unable to earn while recovering.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your future ability to work.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and other belongings.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, rental vehicles, or assistive devices like crutches or wheelchairs.
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate you for the physical and emotional harm that doesn’t have a direct dollar amount:
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Loss of Companionship or Consortium
In North Dakota, these damages are available in claims where injuries are serious enough to step outside the no-fault system.
Punitive Damages
Although rare, punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, such as when a trucking company knowingly allowed an unqualified or intoxicated driver to operate a vehicle.
No‑Fault Threshold
North Dakota follows a no‑fault system under the Auto Accident Reparations Act. Drivers must carry PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage of at least $30,000. A victim may step outside of no‑fault and pursue additional damages if they sustain “serious bodily injury,” such as permanent disability or incur medical expenses exceeding $2,500
Damage Caps
The state places caps on non-economic damages only in medical malpractice claims. However, there are no general caps on pain-and-suffering or other non-economic damages in truck accidents or other personal injury cases.
Who Pays for Damages in a North Dakota Truck Accident?
When you’ve been injured in a truck accident, figuring out who pays for your damages isn’t always straightforward. Multiple parties may be involved, and in North Dakota, the no-fault insurance system adds another layer of complexity. While your insurance may cover initial medical expenses, you can still pursue compensation from at-fault parties if your injuries meet certain thresholds.
Potentially Liable Parties
Several parties may share responsibility in a truck accident, including:
- The Truck Driver: If the driver was found to be overspeeding, distracted, fatigued, or under the influence, he or she could be held liable.
- The Trucking Company: Carriers may be liable for failing to train drivers, neglecting vehicle maintenance, or pressuring drivers to meet unsafe schedules.
- Parts or Vehicle Manufacturers: If a mechanical failure (like faulty brakes or a defective tire) contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be responsible.
- Cargo Loading Company: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can cause trucks to tip or jackknife.
- Other Drivers: In multi-vehicle crashes, other motorists may also share blame.
- Government Entities: If unsafe roads or poor signage played a role, a city, county, or the state may be liable under certain conditions.
- Your Insurance Provider: Under North Dakota’s no-fault system, your insurance covers certain medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. But serious injuries or damages over $2,500 may qualify you to file a third-party claim.
Modified Comparative Negligence in North Dakota
North Dakota follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the crash, as long as your share of fault is not greater than 49%. However, your total compensation will be reduced by the percentage of the fault. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000.
This rule is especially important in complex truck accident cases, where multiple parties might be partially liable. A skilled truck wreck lawyer will work to limit your share of fault while holding the responsible parties accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a Truck Accident in North Dakota?
Timing is everything when it comes to filing a truck accident claim. North Dakota sets strict legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, that dictate how long you have to pursue compensation. Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to recover damages entirely.
Statute of Limitations in North Dakota
Under North Dakota Century Code § 28-01-16, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accidents, is six years from the date of the crash. This relatively generous window gives you time to seek medical treatment, evaluate the long-term impact of your injuries, and consult with a lawyer.
However, if the accident results in a wrongful death, the timeline is shorter. You must file a wrongful death claim within two years of the date of death, according to NDCC § 28-01-18.
Exceptions to the Rule
While most cases fall under the six-year limit, there are a few exceptions:
- Claims Against Government Entities: If your accident involved a government-owned truck or a poorly maintained public road, different rules may apply. You may need to file a formal notice of claim within a much shorter time frame, often just 180 days.
- Minors or Legally Incapacitated Persons: If the injured person is under 18 or legally incapacitated, the clock may pause (also called “tolling”) until the disability is lifted.
Because these deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances, it’s essential to speak with a knowledgeable commercial truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Acting quickly allows your legal team to gather evidence while it’s still fresh and file your claim before time runs out.
North Dakota Truck Accident FAQ
What if the truck driver was from another state?
It doesn’t matter if the truck driver is licensed. If the accident happened within the borders of North Dakota, your claim will generally fall under North Dakota law. However, interstate trucking companies may bring up federal regulations and out-of-state insurers. A knowledgeable attorney will know how to handle these cross-jurisdiction issues.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. North Dakota follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you were less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do I need to file a police report?
Yes. North Dakota law requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or over $4,000 in damage. The police report will serve as important documentation for your insurance claim and potential lawsuit.
What if I were hit by a commercial truck while walking or biking?
Pedestrians and cyclists injured in truck accidents may still be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. Even if you don’t have car insurance, you may be covered through the truck driver’s liability coverage or other sources.
How is a truck accident different from a regular car accident?
Truck accidents usually involve larger insurance policies, multiple liable parties, and federal regulations. There’s often more evidence to investigate (like driver logs and black box data), and the injuries tend to be more severe. That’s why working with a truck wreck lawyer experienced in commercial vehicle cases is critical.
Call Our North Dakota Punjabi Truck Accident Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in North Dakota, don’t wait to get the legal support you deserve. At Punjabi Truck Accident Lawyer, we proudly represent truck accident victims by offering strong legal guidance and by having Punjabi-speaking attorneys on their side.
Our team at Punjabi Truck Accident Lawyer understands the complexity of these cases, especially when multiple parties or commercial carriers are involved. That’s why we provide personalized and end-to-end support, handling everything from insurance negotiations to trial preparation so you can focus on healing.
We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence. Call us at (844) 656-2091.
