Fargo Car Accident Injury Attorney
A car accident can change your life. One minute, everything is fine. The next, you have experienced a serious car accident injury, are worried about your physical health and when you can return to work and are incurring significant medical bills and don’t know who will pay them.
The car accident injury attorneys at Fremstad Law are here to help. We understand North Dakota personal injury law and will fight for the compensation that you and your family deserve.
What To Do After a Car Accident
At Fremstad Law, our attorneys know that no one wants to be hurt in a car accident. But when an accident happens and you were injured, let our lawyers shoulder the burden of dealing with the insurance companies while you focus on what matters most: your health and well-being.
It can be difficult to know what to do after a car accident.
- Start by checking yourself for injuries, and ask if your passengers were hurt.
- If you are able, get out of your vehicle and ask the other driver if they were hurt and if any of their passengers were injured.
- If there were any injuries, call 9-1-1. Tell them someone was hurt in an accident and where the accident occurred, and stay on the line until they hang up.
- If there were no serious injuries, contact the police to make a report.
- When the police arrive, they will take over the scene. Be cooperative as they gather the information necessary to make a report.
- Exchange names, contact information, and insurance information with the other driver(s).
- Try to identify potential witnesses to the accident, and ask for their names and contact information.
- Take photographs of the scene of the accident, any damage to the vehicles, road and weather conditions, and traffic signs.
- Seek medical attention.
- Take photographs of your injuries, even as they heal.
- Report the accident to your insurance company. They may ask to take a recorded statement, but you are not required to provide one immediately. Tell them you plan to contact an attorney and will provide a statement after you have discussed the matter with your lawyer.
- Hire an attorney.
How a Car Accident Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you were hurt in a car crash, the most important thing to do is to take care of yourself. If your injuries were severe, have an ambulance come to the scene of the crash and take you to the hospital. Otherwise, take yourself to the emergency room. Then follow-up with your own doctor. This information will be important if you decide to make a claim for compensation for your injuries.
Once your medical condition has stabilized, schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys. During your initial meeting, our attorneys will ask questions about the accident and your injuries. We will identify the driver of the other car and notify them that you are represented by an attorney. Then, we will gather evidence to support your claim.
We will also gather information to prove the extent of your injuries. This includes hospital records, medical bills, x-rays and scans, photographs of your injuries, and reports from experts to prove the extent and cause of your injuries.
Once we have gathered all of the necessary information, we will try to resolve your claims. If we cannot reach a settlement agreement, we will commence a lawsuit to protect your rights.
Common Injuries After a Car Accident
Car accidents cause a wide variety of injuries. The most common injuries sustained in a car wreck include sprains and strains, whiplash, cuts, lacerations, bruising, neck and back pain, soft tissue injuries and headaches. Many people sustain broken bones, nerve damage, herniated discs, spinal injuries, and even Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Some injuries are immediately apparent, while others take time to appear. A common reason is the body’s “fight or flight” response. After being involved in a traumatic event, your body will release hormones like adrenaline that can mask the pain of injuries. Once the adrenaline wears off, you may begin to notice additional pain like headaches, back pain, whiplash, and head injuries in the days after a car wreck.
North Dakota’s No-Fault System
North Dakota applies a no-fault (or personal injury protection (PIP)) system when it comes to resolving medical bills and wage loss under $30,000. This means that after a car accident, you must make a claim with your insurance company, even if you did not cause the accident, hence the name “no fault.” An attorney can assist you with these negotiations, protect your rights, and help to maximize your financial recovery.
In most cases, car accident claims are resolved with an insurance company through settlement negotiations. But if the insurance company does not make a fair and reasonable offer to resolve your case, our attorneys are fully prepared to take your case to court, if necessary.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit After a North Dakota Car Accident?
Most North Dakota car accidents are generally subject to a six-year statute of limitations. This means that you have six years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you wait longer than six years to file a lawsuit, the court can dismiss your case and you will not be able to recover compensation for your injuries or damage to your property. There are some exceptions, so it is important to visit with legal counsel in order to truly understand your rights.
Fremstad Law: Moving You Forward
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident, you and your family may be entitled to compensation for:
- The cost of past and future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
The North Dakota personal injury attorneys at Fremstad Law will help by protecting your rights, maximizing your financial compensation, and moving you forward after a car crash. Learn more about our mission, meet our people, and contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help. We handle most car accident cases on a contingency fee, which means we don’t get paid unless we recover money for you.
