Oilfield Traffic & Semi-Truck Crashes in Williston: What Victims Should Know
Williston, ND is home to some of the world’s top-ranking oil service companies. The “Western Star” has grown 210% since 2010, becoming North Dakota’s sixth most populous city. Williston, ND is home to some of the world’s top-ranking oil service companies. The “Western Star” has grown 210% since 2010, becoming North Dakota’s sixth most populous city.
That said, because of continuous traffic of heavy vehicles and drilling rigs, there’s always a chance of an unfortunate truck collision. A truck accident can change your life in seconds, causing severe injuries or a painful death. Truck accident victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and long-term disability.
Unlike car accidents, truck accident cases are far more complicated. For instance, a Williston truck accident may involve multiple responsible parties, including the interstate carrier, the trucking company, loading contractors, support staff, and vehicle manufacturers. They all have different insurance companies to sort out the settlement claim. This is where an experienced Williston truck accident lawyer can help you draft a successful insurance claim.
Williston Truck Accident: Statistics and Leading Causes
Truck accidents are not uncommon on the roads in and around Williston. Data collected by the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) at North Dakota University shows that Williston and greater Williams County see more than 70 truck accidents annually. More than 25% of these crashes cause injuries and 3% cause fatalities.
Compared to car accidents, the fatality rate due to truck collisions is nearly twice as high. Past data show that Williston is North Dakota’s second-worst region.
Heavy Vehicles and Semi Truck Accidents: Hotspots in Williston, ND
Crashes can occur anywhere in the area. However, some intersections and roads pose a higher risk than others. These include:
- Highway 85 south of the Missouri River
- The Route 2 and Highway 85 intersection west of downtown
- The Route 2 and Highway 85B intersection north of downtown
If you were hit by a truck anywhere in Williston that resulted in serious injuries, vehicle damage, or property damage, you need to prepare a solid truck accident claim backed by crucial evidence. All you need is connect with the best truck accident attorney in Williston, ND for free initial consultation. This will be your the first step to recovering full and fair compensation.
Leading Causes
Most rear end collisions to passenger vehicles are caused by driver fatigue, distracted driving (the lack of truck driver’s attention on the road), excessive speeds, and failure to check the truck’s blind spots. Besides fatigued drivers, brake failures, tire blowouts, or improper loading of the truck cargo can add up and cause bigger accidents, such as truck rollovers.
On high-speed corridors, drivers can lose control, causing damage to the other vehicle. Paying attention to the exact cause helps build a strong truck accident claim.
Accident Occurred: What to Do Next?
After an accident, you must seek immediate medical attention. Some serious injuries may not present symptoms immediately. Check your body parts for permanent disfigurement.
The medical care not only assess you condition but also document the injuries. Medical records are crucial evidence in collisions involving cars, commercial trucks, large trucks or big rig vehicles.
Call law enforcement or the government agency and ensure an official crash report is filed. They will conduct a thorough investigation and collect evidence and determine the at fault parties involved in the accident caused. Initial police investigation on the collision spot serves as another crucial evidence in third party claims.
If physically able, document the accident scene by taking photos of the vehicles, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions. Don’t forget to gather witness contact information.
Insurance companies representing trucking companies often begin investigating immediately. Anything said early in the process can impact your claim. Therefore, avoid discussing fault at the scene.
You can consult an experienced truck accident lawyer or their legal team who will investigate the case on your behalf to prove liability. They Send them all the communication that took place between you and the trucking company’s insurance provider.
Critical Evidence in Semi Truck Accident Cases
It isn’t always a negligent driver behind a truck crash. In a truck accident, the responsibility may be shared by multiple parties. Apart from the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the maintenance provider, and even vehicle or parts manufacturer may be held liable.
The investigation takes into account several factors, including black box data (provides vehicle speed, braking activity, and throttle position before impact), electronic logging device records, and other sources, such as maintenance records, inspection reports, GPS data and trailer load manifest, etc.
Compensation Available After a Truck Accident
Victims of truck accidents may recover compensation not just for injuries, medical bills or vehicle damage. Other the medical costs, there are other economic and non-economic damages, such as lost income, diminished earning capacity, property damage, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages, adding up in your settlement claim.
Because trucking companies often carry substantial insurance coverage, insurers may aggressively attempt to minimize payouts and make it difficult for you to seek compensation you deserve. To protect your rights and pursue compensation, you can have a free consultation from an experienced personal injury lawyer.
North Dakota law allows six years to file a personal injury case after a truck accident. That said, wrongful death claims may have different deadlines. Therefore, it is advisable to act promptly and hire an experienced attorney to file a personal injury protection claim.
Why Hire a Williston Truck Accident Lawyer
A typical Williston truck accident case often involves more parties than just a truck driver. For an accident victim already coping with injuries and suffering, facing insurance adjusters and getting a fair deal is rather impossible. This is where a Williston truck accident attorney can ensure a fair and smooth legal process.
An experienced lawyer understands the complexity of federal trucking regulations, corporate defendants, and aggressive insurance tactics. In the event of non-settlement, they can prepare a strong truck accident lawsuit on your behalf.
Contact The Best Truck Accident Attorney in North Dakota
At Lowe Law Group, our dedicated legal team will preserve black box data, investigate compliance violations, consult forensic experts, and negotiate for fair compensation. If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, you can consult Lowe Law Group, Ogden, to pursue the legal process in court.
Over the years, we have fought and won truck accident injury cases for injured clients in Williams County, including Williston, Alamo, Epping, Grenora, Ray, Springbrook, Tioga, Wildrose, and Trenton. Get in touch for round-the-clock assistance and free legal consultation.
