Fargo Personal Injury Attorney
A personal injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. The physical pain, emotional distress and financial burdens that follow an accident caused by someone else’s negligence can be overwhelming. We understand the challenges you face, and we are dedicated to helping you recover.
With over 35 years of experience, our attorneys at Reitan Law Office, PLLC, provide skilled and compassionate legal representation to those who have suffered a personal injury in Fargo and throughout North Dakota. As an established law firm, we have a deep understanding of personal injury law and a proven track record of success. We are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Cases We Handle
Our personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of cases, including:
- Car accidents: We represent individuals injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck and motorcycle accidents.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises. We help those injured due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property.
- Medical malpractice: We represent clients who have been harmed by the negligence of doctors, nurses and other health care providers.
- Wrongful death: We help families who have lost loved ones due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of others.
- Dog bites: Dog owners are liable for injuries caused by their animals. We help victims of dog bites secure compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering.
Our legal team is ready to help you seek compensation while you focus on healing from your injury.
Your Advocate In The Legal Process
When you work with our Fargo team, you gain an advocate who protects your rights and fights for your best interests. We will handle all aspects of your case, from investigating the accident and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, litigating your case in court. We aim to secure the maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.
Understanding Personal Injury Law
Navigating the legal system after an injury can be daunting, especially when you are dealing with physical pain, emotional distress and financial uncertainty. We are here to guide you through the process and help you understand your rights.
Here are answers to some common questions we receive about personal injury law.
What should I bring to my initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer?
The more information you can provide about your accident and injuries, the better we can assess your case and advise you on your legal options. It’s helpful to bring the following documentation to your initial consultation:
- Medical Records: Bring copies of any medical records related to your injuries, including doctor’s notes, hospital records, physical therapy records and bills for medical expenses. This helps us understand the extent and nature of your injuries.
- Police Reports: If the police responded to your accident, obtain a copy of the police report. This report often contains essential details about the accident, including witness statements and the officer’s observations.
- Insurance Information: Bring your insurance information and the insurance information of any other parties involved in the accident.
- Photos and Videos: If you have any photos or videos of the accident scene, your injuries or anything else relevant to your case, bring copies of those as well.
Any other documents related to your case, such as pay stubs (if you are claiming lost wages), witness contact information or correspondence with insurance companies, can be helpful.
What is the process of a personal injury lawsuit?
While every personal injury case is unique, a typical lawsuit follows these general steps:
- Initial consultation and investigation: You will meet with an attorney to discuss your case. The attorney will gather information, review your documentation and investigate the accident.
- Demand letter: Your attorney will send a demand letter to the at-fault party or their insurance company, outlining your claims and demanding compensation.
- Negotiation: Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
- Filing a lawsuit: If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit in court.
- Discovery: Both sides will exchange information and evidence through depositions, interrogatories and document requests.
- Mediation: The court may order mediation in an attempt to settle the case before trial.
- Trial: If the case is not settled, it will go to trial, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome.
Our team will remain by your side as you go through this process. There are important deadlines as you move forward, and our skilled attorneys can give you the support you need.
How is fault determined in a personal injury case?
North Dakota follows a “comparative negligence” rule. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but are found to be 20% at fault, your award will be reduced by $20,000.
It’s important to note that North Dakota follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 50% bar. This means that if you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, you cannot recover any damages.
Proving fault in a personal injury case requires establishing negligence. To prove negligence, you must show that the other party:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Breached that duty of care
- Their breach of duty caused your injuries
- You suffered damages as a result of your injuries
We understand that this is a lot of information to take in. If you have been injured in an accident, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Ready to Discuss Your Case? Contact Us.
If you have been injured in an accident in Fargo or anywhere in North Dakota, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your legal options. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and answer your questions. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Our office is conveniently located in Fargo. Call us at 701-581-7854 or complete our online form to schedule an appointment.