You have certain obligations if you get into a car crash in North Dakota, such as the duty to exchange information, render aid, and more.
No driver expects to get in a crash, but they happen every day. That’s why understanding North Dakota’s laws about accidents is critical. By knowing your responsibilities and the actions you need to take, you can safeguard yourself from legal repercussions.
This page explains your obligations after a car crash in North Dakota. You can also review Chapter 39-08 of the North Dakota Motor Vehicle Code for more detail.
1. North Dakota Driver Exchange of Information Law
After an accident that results in injury or death, North Dakota law requires you to stop at the scene and identify yourself to the other party. You must provide your address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information, and show your driver’s license upon request.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death shall immediately stop and remain at the scene of the accident until that driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 39-08-06. Every stop required by this section must be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to any vehicle shall give the driver’s name and address, and the name of the motor vehicle insurance policy carrier, as well as the registration number of the vehicle.
Upon request, and if available, the driver of any vehicle involved in the accident shall exhibit the driver’s operator’s license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any other vehicle involved in the accident.
2. North Dakota Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
According to North Dakota law, if you are involved in an accident, you have a duty to render aid to anyone injured in the crash.
This assistance might include providing transportation to a hospital if it’s clear that medical attention is necessary or the injured person asks to go. You can also satisfy your duty by arranging another form of transportation, such as calling an ambulance.
The driver involved in an accident shall render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of the person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if the carrying is requested by the injured person.
3. North Dakota Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
In North Dakota, the law requires you to immediately report any accidents that involve injury, death, or property damage of $4,000 or more, to the local authorities. Report to the local police department if the crash occurred within a municipality, or the office of the county sheriff or state highway patrol if you are outside the city.
This reporting requirement does not apply to anyone who is incapacitated. If the driver cannot notify the police, a capable occupant must do so. Or, if the driver is incapacitated and does not own the vehicle, the vehicle’s owner must report the accident within 5 days of learning about it.
The driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or property damage of at least four thousand dollars shall immediately give notice of the accident to the local police department if the accident occurs within a municipality, otherwise to the office of the county sheriff or the state highway patrol.
A crash notice is not required from any person who is physically incapable of making the report during the period of such incapacity.
Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of giving an immediate notice of a crash and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the crash capable of doing so, the occupant shall make or cause to be given the notice not given by the driver.
Whenever the driver is physically incapable of giving notice of a crash and the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, then the owner of the vehicle involved shall within five days after learning of the crash give the notice not given by the driver.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in North Dakota?
Failing to report an accident in North Dakota can result in a $50 fine. You can also have your license suspended until you report the accident, and then for an additional thirty days after that.
A driver who violates this section must be assessed a fine of fifty dollars.
The director may suspend the license or permit to drive and any nonresident operating privileges of any person failing to comply with the duties as provided in section 39-08-09 until those duties have been fulfilled, and the director may extend the suspension not to exceed thirty days.
4. North Dakota Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
Under North Dakota law, if you are involved in a car accident that results in property damage to a vehicle, you must stop immediately. You must remain at the scene until you have exchanged information with the other driver.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting only in property damage to the driver’s vehicle or any other vehicle shall immediately stop and remain at the scene of the crash until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 39-08-06. Every such stop must be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver involved in an accident resulting in damage to any vehicle shall give the driver’s name and address, and the name of the motor vehicle insurance policy carrier, as well as the registration number, of the vehicle.
Upon request, and if available, the driver of any vehicle involved in the accident shall exhibit the driver’s operator’s license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any other vehicle involved in the accident.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in North Dakota?
If you hit a parked car in North Dakota and damage it, the law requires you to immediately stop. You then must either find the owner of the vehicle or leave a note on the vehicle you hit. Either way, you must provide your name, address, and insurance information, as well as the same details for the owner of the car if it is not yours.
The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of the vehicle of the name and address, as well as the insurance policy carrier, of the driver and owner of the vehicle or shall leave in a conspicuous place a written notice.
As a North Dakota driver, it’s imperative that you know your responsibilities under the law should you get into a car accident. By understanding and complying with these duties, you can avoid serious penalties such as fines, license suspensions, and even criminal convictions.
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