{"id":375519,"date":"2016-10-19T18:18:31","date_gmt":"2016-10-19T23:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/north-dakota-law\/north-dakota-car-accident-compensation-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-10-30T13:07:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T18:07:22","slug":"north-dakota-car-accident-compensation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/north-dakota-law\/north-dakota-car-accident-compensation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"North Dakota Car Accident Compensation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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North Dakota Car Accident Compensation Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

North Dakota’s car accident compensation laws follow a modified no-fault system, meaning your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your initial injury costs regardless of fault. This policy pays for economic losses like medical bills and lost wages up to your policy limit. To recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering from the at-fault driver, you must meet the state’s serious injury threshold.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Figuring out what to do after a North Dakota car accident can be overwhelming, especially if<\/span> you were injured<\/span><\/a>. Whether the wreck was in Fargo, Bismarck, or anywhere else in the state, navigating North Dakota\u2019s car accident compensation laws can be tricky. However, it\u2019s key to protecting your rights and recovering for your losses.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve recently been in an accident, consider speaking with a <\/span>car accident attorney<\/span><\/a>. They can help you understand your options and responsibilities under North Dakota\u2019s modified no-fault system.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we review how parties are compensated for various losses from a North Dakota auto accident. We\u2019ll also cover some of the main legal concepts involved and help you avoid common mistakes people make in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with what to do immediately after a collision.<\/span><\/p>\n

After An Accident<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the first things you should do <\/span>after a car accident<\/span><\/a> is seek medical attention. Car accident injuries don\u2019t always show up right away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you think you\u2019re uninjured, an early examination by a healthcare provider is a good idea. It creates a medical record linking your potential injuries to the accident. This can be critical for recovering costs of medical bills and other expenses later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Auto Insurance Claims<\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll need to <\/span>file a claim<\/span><\/a> with your insurance soon after the accident. If possible, consider speaking with a car accident attorney first. They can help you avoid traps that people often fall into when <\/span>dealing with insurance companies<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Car insurance companies work hard to pay you the minimum amount necessary to close your claim. To that end, they employ various strategies when dealing with claimants. An attorney well-versed in these practices can help protect you from saying things that might hurt your claim.<\/span><\/p>\n

North Dakota\u2019s No-Fault Insurance System<\/span><\/h2>\n

North Dakota is a \u201cno-fault\u201d state. Regardless of who\u2019s at fault, each driver\u2019s own insurance company first covers their injury-related losses through their personal Injury protection (PIP) policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

PIP coverage pays for initial medical expenses, <\/span>lost wages<\/span><\/a>, and other economic losses. North Dakota law requires motorists to carry a minimum of $30,000 in PIP coverage per person. The state\u2019s insurance department and <\/span>department of transportation<\/span><\/a> enforce its mandatory insurance laws.<\/span><\/p>\n

Liability Insurance<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to PIP, state law requires liability insurance. North Dakota drivers must carry liability coverage, sometimes called fault coverage, with the following minimum limits:<\/span><\/p>\n