18 Wheeler Accidents Causing Injury or Death in North Dakota

If you have been involved in a truck accident in North Dakota, you are likely facing a number of unforeseen stressors: medical bills, the cost of vehicle repairs, and, depending on the extent of your injuries, a reduced ability to work and earn wages. On top of the financial stress, you might find your quality of life severely impacted by your injuries. You might have considered legal action, but the process can seem imposing and overwhelming.

North Dakota attorney James Shaw can help. James Shaw works on a contingency basis and has decades of experience representing clients seeking compensation after an 18 wheeler accident, as well as a record that speaks to that experience. Call 1-800-555-0101 today for a free consultation.

What Causes 18 Wheeler Accidents?

North Dakota is, per capita, the most dangerous state in the country for trucking accidents. While some of these accidents are unavoidable, most can be attributed to some lapse in judgment on the part of the driver or their employer that constitutes negligence.

Some of the most common causes of 18 wheeler accidents include:

• Speeding
• Failing to signal merges and lane changes
• Operating under the influence
• Drowsy driving
• Incorrectly judging overhead clearance
• Improperly maintaining the vehicle
• Improperly securing cargo
• Under-reporting hours driven
• Operating while distracted

If you believe that any of the above, or any other negligent act, may have been factors in your accident, look for a North Dakota 18 wheeler accident attorney to represent your case.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive For 18 Wheeler Accidents Causing Injury or Death in North Dakota?

There are three types of damages associated with personal injury or wrongful death claims: economic, noneconomic, and punitive.

• Economic damages are meant to cover the expenses incurred by an injury or wrongful death, including medical bills, vehicle repair, and, in the case of a wrongful death, burial costs and the loss of financial support. These are generally uncapped, and a successful claim will see you covering these costs.
• Noneconomic damages address those aspects of an injury or wrongful death outside of your finances: pain and suffering, loss of happiness, loss of consortium, and, in the case of a personal injury, disfigurement or physical impairment. These are also uncapped in the case of auto accidents, or any personal injury lawsuit outside of medical malpractice.
• Punitive damages are usually not awarded. These damages are meant not to reward the plaintiff but to punish the defendant, who acted flagrantly negligent. These cannot exceed $250,000 or twice the amount of economic and economic damages, whichever is higher.

An experienced truck accident lawyer in North Dakota can help you determine how much you stand to earn from a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Do I Have to Hire an Attorney After a Truck Collision?

You do not have to hire an attorney for a personal injury or wrongful death claim, as you are legally entitled to serve as your own legal counsel. However, your claim or lawsuit will not get far without an experienced North Dakota 18 wheeler accident attorney.

Without a lawyer, your opposition could take advantage of your lack of knowledge, rejecting your claim and possibly trying to intimidate you from pursuing it further with threats of a counterclaim. They may also settle for far less than you are owed.

In the unlikely event that your case goes to court, a judge will hold you to the same standards as a professional lawyer. If you fail to adhere to the standards of professionalism expected by a court of law, you risk a charge of contempt. You also stand to be bullied by a more experienced opposition.

Trust Experienced Attorney James Shaw

If you are having trouble finding a truck accident lawyer in North Dakota, try scheduling a free consultation. You can use these meetings to ask about a lawyer’s level of experience with truck accident injury and wrongful death claims and make an informed hiring decision.

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