In North Dakota, truck accidents are more common than many realize, with heavy vehicles involved in over 770 crashes in 2020 alone, according to state reports. These collisions often result in devastating injuries, leaving victims facing not only physical pain but also emotional and financial strain.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a truck accident in Fargo, you're likely grappling with medical bills, lost wages, and the headache of navigating legal claims.
At Shunnarah Truck Accident Lawyers, we understand the difficult road you're on. Call us today at (205) 957-4995 for your free consultation. Let us help you take the next step toward justice and recovery.
Why Choose Shunnarah Truck Accident Lawyers?
Selecting the right attorney after a truck accident can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Truck accident claims can be intricate, often involving large companies, complex insurance policies, and regulations like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), which govern commercial trucking. We are dedicated to simplifying this process for you.
Unmatched Track Record
With more than $1.5 billion in compensation recovered for our clients, our results speak for themselves. While we never guarantee outcomes, our history of success in commercial truck injury claims illustrates our deep commitment to our clients' recovery.
With local knowledge and a deep understanding of North Dakota laws, we are positioned to offer you the strongest representation possible. Our 24/7 availability ensures that no matter when you need us, we’ll be there to help.
What Sets Us Apart
We are recognized not just for our winning outcomes, but for our compassionate, client-centered approach. We maintain constant communication with our clients, ensuring they feel informed and confident every step of the way. Furthermore, our attorneys stay up-to-date on all trucking regulations and legal developments, providing a powerful combination of personalized service and cutting-edge legal strategy.
How Much is My Case Worth?
While every case is unique, the value of your claim depends on several factors, including the types of damages available to you under North Dakota law.
Economic Damages: Covering Your Tangible Losses
Economic damages compensate you for direct financial losses. These damages are relatively straightforward to calculate because they are based on actual expenses and losses. Common economic damages in a truck accident case include:
- Medical expenses: This includes hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment costs. North Dakota law allows you to seek compensation for both current and future medical costs, depending on the severity of your injuries.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can claim lost wages, including any future earning potential if your ability to work is permanently affected.
- Property damage: Compensation for repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
Non-Economic Damages: Accounting for Intangible Losses
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages cover the less tangible effects of an accident. These damages are harder to quantify but are often a substantial part of the overall compensation. In North Dakota, non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries. North Dakota law does not set a cap on non-economic damages, allowing for a wide range of recovery depending on the case.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, we can factor this into your claim.
- Emotional distress: Truck accidents can cause significant mental health impacts, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), all of which may be compensable.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not intended to cover losses but to punish particularly reckless behavior. For instance, if the truck driver was operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the court may consider awarding punitive damages to deter such behavior in the future.
Your attorney will meticulously calculate these damages based on medical records, wage statements, and other documentation, ensuring that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that all of your losses—both financial and emotional—are accounted for.
Where Do Truck Accidents Occur in Fargo?
While not the largest city in North Dakota, Fargo is a critical hub for trucking routes, particularly along Interstate 29 and Interstate 94. These highways connect Fargo to regional markets and contribute to the high volume of commercial trucks on the roads. Although specific data for Fargo is limited, broader North Dakota truck accident statistics reveal important insights.
Fargo Truck Accident Statistics
Statewide, the number of truck accidents has decreased over the years, from 1,176 crashes to 734 crashes in a recent three-year period. Despite this decline, fatalities remain a major concern, with 15 deaths reported in one recent year alone.
Several factors contribute to truck accidents in Fargo and the surrounding region:
- 70% of truck-related accidents occur in rural areas, where trucks are often traveling at higher speeds on less crowded roads.
- Nearly 30% of crashes take place at intersections, a pattern seen in heavily trafficked areas like Fargo.
- 46% of heavy vehicle accidents involve just the truck itself, often due to issues like driver fatigue or weather conditions.
- 15% of truck crashes involve rollovers, with 10% linked to excessive speed.
Contributing Factors
Many truck accidents in Fargo occur in winter when icy roads and reduced visibility create dangerous conditions. Between October and January, the risk of a serious truck accident spikes, largely due to North Dakota’s long, harsh winters. The frequent presence of commercial vehicles combined with these hazardous conditions makes intersections like those along Main Avenue and the highways particularly high-risk.
Trends and Comparisons
North Dakota has earned a spot among the "Deadly Dozen" states for truck accidents, based on a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. The state’s fatality rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled remain consistently higher than the national average.
Types of Truck Accidents and Common Injuries
Truck accidents can happen in many forms, each carrying severe consequences for victims involved. Below are some of the most common types of truck accidents and injuries seen in the area:
Types of Truck Accidents
- Jackknife Accidents: These occur when the trailer of the truck folds in on itself, creating a sharp 90-degree angle. This can happen due to sudden braking or loss of control, often leading to multi-vehicle collisions.
- Rollover Accidents: A truck can tip over when the load inside shifts or when a driver loses control due to weather or excessive speed. Approximately 15% of truck accidents in North Dakota involve rollovers.
- Rear-End Collisions: Due to their size and slower braking times, trucks often collide with the rear of other vehicles, especially in traffic or at intersections. 17% of truck crashes in North Dakota involve rear-end impacts.
- Tire Blowouts: When a truck’s tire fails due to improper maintenance or manufacturing defects, the driver may lose control, causing the truck to swerve into other lanes or even overturn.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Large trucks have significant blind spots. When a truck changes lanes or turns, it may strike any vehicles lingering in these areas.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
The sheer size of commercial trucks makes accidents far more dangerous for occupants of smaller vehicles. Some common injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Due to the intense force of impact, head injuries are common and can lead to long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Often resulting from rollover and rear-end accidents, spinal injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care.
- Crushing Injuries: The immense weight of a truck can lead to crush injuries, where bones and soft tissue are severely damaged, often requiring multiple surgeries.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs or internal bleeding may go unnoticed at first but can become life-threatening without prompt medical attention.
Relevant Legal Concepts
In North Dakota, truck accident cases involve specific legal standards and regulations, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), which set rules on driver hours, maintenance, and safety protocols. Trucking companies and drivers must adhere to these standards, and any violation can be critical in proving negligence. Furthermore, North Dakota follows a modified comparative fault rule (N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2), which means that if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages.
Fighting the Insurance Company After a Truck Accident
Facing insurance companies after a truck accident is often one of the most challenging parts of the recovery process.
Why Insurance Companies Are Difficult to Deal With
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their employer’s interests by finding ways to reduce or deny claims. This can include:
- Disputing Liability: The adjuster may argue that you, the victim, were partially or fully at fault for the accident. In North Dakota, this matters because if you are more than 50% responsible for the crash, you cannot recover compensation.
- Offering Lowball Settlements: Insurance companies often offer settlements far below what your case is worth, hoping that victims will accept out of desperation. These offers rarely account for long-term medical care, future lost wages, or non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Delaying Claims: Another common tactic is to drag out the claims process in the hope that financial strain will force you to accept a lower offer.
How an Attorney Helps You Fight Back
Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer can level the playing field. Here’s how we work to protect your interests:
- Proving Liability: We gather evidence, including police reports, eyewitness statements, and traffic camera footage. This documentation is essential to counter the insurance company's efforts to dispute liability.
- Negotiating for Fair Compensation: Your lawyer will calculate the full value of your claim, including economic and non-economic damages. Armed with this information, we handle all negotiations, ensuring the insurance company is held accountable for fair compensation.
- Taking the Case to Court: If the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, we are prepared to take your case to court.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Fargo
1. Follow Your Medical Treatment Plan
Even after you’ve seen a doctor, you need to follow through with any prescribed treatments, whether it’s physical therapy, follow-up appointments, or medication. Consistent treatment not only aids your recovery but also creates a clear record of your injuries and their impact, which helps build a strong compensation claim.
2. Keep Detailed Records
- Receipts and Bills: Keep every medical bill, prescription receipt, and any other expenses related to your injury, as they will help your lawyer calculate economic damages.
- Police Reports: Obtain a copy of the police report from the accident. This document is often a key piece of evidence, especially if it includes statements from witnesses or details about road conditions at the time of the crash.
- Injury Journal: Maintain a journal detailing your pain levels, emotional state, and how your injuries affect your daily life. This can support claims for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
3. Avoid Making Statements
While it might feel natural to share updates about your situation with your friends and family, especially on social media, avoid making any public statements. Insurance companies often scour victims' social media accounts for posts that might downplay the severity of their injuries.
4. Bring Everything to Your Lawyer
Once you’ve gathered your receipts, reports, and journal entries, your next step should be to provide all of this information to your attorney. Having a complete record of your medical care, expenses, and how your injury affects your life allows your lawyer to build a comprehensive case that includes both economic and non-economic damages.
Get the Compensation You Deserve with Shunnarah Truck Accident Lawyers
With our track record of winning significant settlements and our dedicated, client-centered approach, we are ready to guide you through this challenging time.
Call our Fargo office today at (205) 957-4995 for your free consultation. Let us handle the legal battles so you can focus on your recovery.