Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in North Dakota
The deadline to sue after a crash in North Dakota, how fault is shared, when a crash must be reported, how lawyers usually charge (contingency fees), how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in North Dakota: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under North Dakota Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal, litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated; it must identify expenses the client owes whether or not the client prevails. At the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined, including an itemization of expenses. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. |
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North Dakota rules to know first
| Deadline to sue | Most personal injury lawsuits based on negligence must be filed within six years after the claim arises, under the catch-all for "any other injury to the person or rights of another not arising upon contract." Shorter deadlines apply to some claims: two years for assault, battery, false imprisonment, libel and slander. |
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| Fault rule | Modified comparative fault. An injured person's own fault does not bar recovery unless it was as great as the combined fault of all other persons who contributed to the injury (so 50% or more bars recovery); otherwise, damages are reduced by the person's percentage of fault. Liability among multiple defendants is generally several only (each pays its own share), except for persons who act in concert. Source: N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2-02 |
| When to report a crash to police | The driver of a vehicle in a crash causing injury or death, or apparent property damage of at least $4,000, must immediately notify the local police department (inside a city) or otherwise the county sheriff or the State Highway Patrol. The driver must give the investigating officer their insurance carrier and policy number (or the owner's). The fine for not giving notice is $50, and the license can be suspended until the duties are met. A crash with a wild animal that damages only the driver's own vehicle is exempt. If the driver is physically unable, a capable passenger must give the notice. |
| Minimum car insurance | North Dakota is a no-fault state. Owners must carry basic no-fault (personal injury protection) benefits of up to $30,000 per person for economic loss, plus liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. An injured person can sue an insured driver for noneconomic loss (such as pain and suffering) only for a "serious injury," which includes death, serious permanent disfigurement, disability beyond 60 days, or medical expenses over $2,500. Liability limits are stated in the motor vehicle liability policy section: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c16-1.pdf |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar Association of North Dakota's Lawyer Referral Service matches paying clients with lawyers. A referral includes a lawyer's name, phone number and up to a 30-minute consultation with a lawyer in the area of law and town or county you choose. The charge for a referral is $30. Phone: (866) 450-9579. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The North Dakota Court System (Supreme Court) publishes a lawyer search on its website that can be browsed by last initial, license status, city or state, plus a seniority list of currently licensed lawyers by bar admission date. The Disciplinary Board page links to it. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The North Dakota Disciplinary Board, through the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, handles complaints about unethical conduct by lawyers licensed in North Dakota. Send a written, signed and dated complaint describing the conduct, with witness names and copies of relevant documents, to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, 125 Slate Dr., Ste. 2, P.O. Box 2297, Bismarck, ND 58502-2297 (701-328-3925); you do not need a lawyer. Complaints without indications of misconduct are dismissed; others are investigated and referred to a district inquiry committee, which can dismiss, admonish, agree to probation or start formal proceedings that may go to a hearing panel and the Supreme Court. The process may take several months, and you get written notice of the outcome. A complaint does not change the outcome of a case and is not a claim for damages. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Legal Services of North Dakota is a nonprofit that provides free legal assistance to North Dakota residents in a variety of matters based on income, and can check eligibility for the low-cost Volunteer Lawyers program. Call (800) 634-5263 if under age 60 or (866) 621-9886 if 60 or older (9 am-3 pm Central), or apply online. Dakota Plains Legal Services also provides free legal help to low-income people, older Americans and veterans in North and South Dakota, including tribal court matters. LSC lists Legal Services of North Dakota as its North Dakota grantee. LSND: https://lsnd.org/; LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in North Dakota · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.