Bicycle Accident Claims in North Dakota
Bicycle rules in North Dakota (passing distance, helmets, riding rules), how fault is shared after a bike crash, and the deadline to sue.
Short answer: A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, and must ride as near the right side as practicable, no more than two abreast. N.D. Cent. Code §§ 39-10.1-02, 39-10.1-05, 39-10.1-09(7), 39-10-11.1
| Bicycle laws | A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, and must ride as near the right side as practicable, no more than two abreast. Drivers passing a bicycle going the same direction must leave at least three feet of clearance until safely past. The bicycle chapter has no general bicycle helmet requirement; riders under 18 must wear a helmet on a class 3 electric bicycle. The bicycle chapter does not address riding on sidewalks. Passing distance: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c10.pdf . Reviewed N.D. Cent. Code ch. 39-10.1 on 2026-10-28 for helmet and sidewalk provisions. |
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| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | 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 |
| 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 |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | 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. |
More North Dakota personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in North Dakota
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in North Dakota
- Medical Malpractice Rules in North Dakota
- Car Accident Claims in North Dakota
- Dog Bite Liability in North Dakota
- Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in North Dakota
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in North Dakota
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in North Dakota
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in North Dakota
- Truck Accident Claims in North Dakota
- Construction Site Injuries in North Dakota
- All North Dakota personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
What are the bicycle laws in North Dakota?
A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, and must ride as near the right side as practicable, no more than two abreast. Drivers passing a bicycle going the same direction must leave at least three feet of clearance until safely past. The bicycle chapter has no general bicycle helmet requirement; riders under 18 must wear a helmet on a class 3 electric bicycle. The bicycle chapter does not address riding on sidewalks.
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in North Dakota?
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.
What is the minimum car insurance required in North Dakota?
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.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in North Dakota?
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.
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.