Helping Victims Injured in Auto Accidents in Watford City and Throughout McKenzie County
In 2017, there were over 15,000 automobile accidents in the state of North Dakota. In these accidents, there were over 4,000 injuries and over 100 fatalities. North Dakota has a higher accident fatality rate than the national average, with a fatality taking place at an average rate of 1 every 3 days.
This high car accident rate means that there are many residents that need an experienced, attentive lawyer who can help navigate the process of filing a claim for compensation. The process can be complicated and arduous. And the attorneys at Sand Law can help you seek the damages that you are entitled to.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
An automobile accident occurs every half hour in North Dakota, on average. They are an everyday happening. And most of them are the fault of otherwise preventable human error. Most car accidents are caused by common causes such as:
- Speeding: Drivers going a little bit faster to get somewhere.
- Ignoring traffic signs and road signals: This can include trying to beat a yellow light before it turns red. Or rolling through a stop sign at an intersection.
- Distracted driving: The convenience of cell phones has unfortunately given rise to an uptick in the number of accidents that can be traced back to distracted driving. A driver’s inattention to the road for even a split second can lead to an accident.
- Driving under the influence: Many people make the irresponsible choice to drink and drive or drive while under the influence of substances such as marijuana.
- Weather: Even if the road is slick with rain or the way forward is smothered in fog, drivers are still responsible for keeping control of their vehicles no matter the conditions around them. If they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for an accident.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in a variety of different injuries. Some may be minor, only requiring simple treatment. Others may be more severe, requiring long-term treatment.
Soft Tissue
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons are all considered soft tissue. These are most common in the arms and legs. Whiplash of the head and neck is a type of soft tissue injury as well. The force of car accidents can also damage the soft tissue of the back, leading to muscle sprains. Soft tissue injuries often lead to chronic pain and can cause issues years after the initial injury.
Lacerations and Abrasions
Any objects loose on the inside of a car become a projectile in a collision. Items like cell phones, mugs or bottles, purses, books, and similar items will be flung around the inside of your car. They can easily cut your skin or cause other injuries. Some injuries may be serious enough to result in blood loss and require stitches.
Head Injuries
As discussed above, muscle strain and whiplash can result from the sudden movements vehicles experience in accidents. But an impact on a side window or against the steering wheel can cause bruising and deep lacerations to the head. Closed head injuries are also possible. This is where tissue inside the skull is damaged by sudden impacts.
Chest, Arm, and Leg Injuries
Your whole body is at risk in accident situations. Drivers can be slammed into the steering wheel. This can cause broken ribs or internal bleeding. Bruising can result from a seatbelt pulling taut across the chest. Side impacts can throw your arms or legs against the door and, in severe cases, can break the corresponding limb.
Injuries are not always obvious in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Sometimes it can take over a month for evidence of the injury to appear. For the sake of your safety and your claim in the future, seek medical treatment for even the earliest sign of an injury.
Recovering Damages After a Car Accident
Unfortunately, car accident injuries can be expensive. Victims are often left with debilitating injuries and no way to pay their medical bills. Thankfully, by filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party (or your own insurance company), you can recover these damages in the form of compensation.
There are two types of damages that you may be able to recover, economic and non-economic. Economic damages include any monetary losses you’ve experienced, while non-economic damages cover any abstract losses.
Economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Hospital stays
- Ambulance rides
- Specialist or doctors visits
- Surgery
- Prescriptions
- In-home care
- Medical equipment
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent injury or disability
In the case that a car accident causes the death of a loved one, you may be able to recover damages on their behalf. You can receive compensation for the above damages as well as funeral and burial costs.
Why Do I Need A Personal Injury Lawyer?
The injuries that can result from a car accident can be life-changing, and if it is the result of fault or negligence on the part of another driver, you are entitled to the damages you sustain. It can be a tempting prospect to represent yourself in a claim seeking damages for an automobile accident, especially when faced with the prospect of repair and medical bills. What’s the benefit of hiring a lawyer on top of all that?
For one thing, experience is a must-have. Adjusters for insurance companies are there for the express purpose of settling claims for far less than they are truly owed. An experienced lawyer knows that insurance companies will often not offer an adequate settlement for claim cases and knows how to use the law to get an appropriate settlement.
What Not To Do After An Accident
- Do not leave the scene. Call 911 and have them give an on-site assessment of your injuries.
- Do not admit any fault for the accident. Otherwise, innocuous statements at the scene can be brought up later in court and used against you.
- Don’t leave the scene without taking pictures of the cars in their immediate post-accident positions.
- Do not forget to obtain the other driver’s personal information, including their license plate number and insurance information.
- Do not refuse medical assessment on-scene. This is another ‘gotcha’ that could possibly be used against you by the other party’s insurance company.
- Don’t speak to anyone from an insurance company or a private investigator. Their goal is to obtain information from you to use against you.
- Do not sign any kind of release. It will make it impossible for you to file a claim, no matter the severity of your injuries.
Experienced Watford City Car Accident Lawyer
When it comes to the injuries resulting from car accidents, you need an experienced team to advocate for you. You deserve compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, and our team is the best to help you get it. Contact our experienced truck accident lawyers at 701-609-1510, or fill out our online contact form today.