Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. - 1661 Capitol Way, Suite 103 LL, Bismarck, ND 58501

What You Need for Roadside Emergencies

February 29, 2016 By

Roadside emergencies are stressful when they happen but they can also be dangerous.

There are several items you should carry in your vehicle to ensure your safety in the event of a roadside emergency, be it due to a tire problem, or a mechanical failure or even just running out of gas.

You should ensure you have a cell phone to contact roadside assistance, a relative or friend or even the police, and make sure you have a charger for it in your vehicle too.

Often a mechanical failure such as no windshield wipers in the rain or a failed headlamp can be due to something small like a burned out fuse so always carry a spare set. The same goes for headlamp and other bulbs.

A jumper cable is essential if the car will not start due to a flat battery but even more useful is a portable battery booster which you can use without the need for a second car.

Always carry a flashlight in case you have an emergency at night and make sure it is both bright and weatherproof. Try and purchase one with a mounting system or a stand so that you do not need to use one hand to hold it and ensure you have spare batteries and a bulb in the vehicle as well.

To learn more about your rights and potential compensation for your accident in North Dakota, please call the Williston accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today.

Filed Under: Driver safety

Boy Killed in Snowmobile Accident

January 31, 2016 By

On Sunday, January 10, one boy was killed in a snowmobile accident and another seriously injured.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol the accident happened at around 4.15 p.m. in a farm field about a third of a mile from the intersection of Second Avenue Northeast and 30th Avenue Northwest. Ten year old Mason Moen of Thompson and 9 year old Brody Johnson of Hatton were staying at the farm and were riding a 1998 Polaris snowmobile. They were riding east when the driver lost control, jumped over the roadway, crashed and then rolled in a field across the road. It is not known which one of the boys was driving at the time of the accident.

Mason died at the scene of the accident, while Brody was flown to a Sanford’s Children’s Hospital in Fargo with a broken pelvis and a brain injury.

Brody spent three weeks in hospital but was released at the end of January.

To learn more about your rights and potential compensation for your accident in North Dakota, please call the Williston accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today.

Filed Under: Snowmobile accident

Number of Fatal Road Traffic Accidents in North Dakota

December 31, 2015 By

Statistics issued by the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have been looked at for each of the states which make up the United States and ranked as to in which states you are most likely to have a fatal road traffic accident.

It is grim reading for North Dakota which is the third most likely state in which you will suffer a fatal road traffic accident. The state population is around 725,000 people with 514,000 licensed drivers. There were 148 road traffic deaths in 2013, which includes pedestrian and cyclist deaths. The chances of being involved in a fatal car crash are one in 2,436 and the chances of being killed are one in 4,888.

The one good point is that pedestrians in North Dakota are far less likely to be hit and killed by a vehicle in the state compared to the rest of the country.

The two states which are even more dangerous are Mississippi and Montana, with Montana in the unenviable number one position with a one in 4,433 chance of dying in a car crash.

To learn more about your rights and potential compensation for your accident in North Dakota, please call the Williston accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today.

Filed Under: Auto Accident

Stolen Ambulance Involved in Rollover Accident

November 30, 2015 By

On Friday afternoon, November 20, a stolen ambulance was involved in a rollover accident.

According to Minot Police, the ambulance which was outside the emergency room at Minot’s Trinity Hospital was stolen at about 1.15 p.m. At the time it was stolen, Minot Community Ambulance Service crew members were inside the hospital dropping off a patient.

However, the ambulance set off and was pursued by police at speeds of more than 90 mph along Highway 53. The chase eventually ended near Carrington on Highway 281 some 120 miles from Minot. Foster County Sheriff says that the chase ended when the ambulance swerved to avoid the spike strips which had been place on the road by the Highway Patrol and crashed into another vehicle before ending up on its roof in a field.

The driver of the ambulance escaped and ran from the scene but was later captured and the driver of the vehicle he hit had to be extricated and was transported to hospital where his condition is not known.

To learn more about your rights and potential compensation for your accident in North Dakota, please call the Williston accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today.

Filed Under: Auto Accident

Driving in Snow

October 31, 2015 By

There are over 1.5 million accidents a year due to snow, sleet or ice with winter conditions making up 17% of weather related crashes and fatalities.

Being prepared to drive in the snow is the key. If you are fortunate enough to have a choice of vehicles a 4 wheel drive truck or SUV are superior in winter conditions, stopping approximately four metres before a sub compact or minivan. Adding snow tires to your truck or SUV will give your maximum traction. If you live in, or are travelling through an area with heavy snowfall consider investing in a good set of snow tires and always make sure you have the proper tire pressure and good tread depth.

Always keep your fuel tank full. You don’t want to run out of gas in bad weather and half empty gas tanks can also cause ice in the fuel lines. Check your headlights and taillights are in working condition and the glass clean and that the fluid levels such as oil and antifreeze are at the correct levels.

The safest thing for driving in snow is to slow down and be patient. Driving in snow changes how your vehicle interacts with the road and coming to stop in snow will take twice as long as it would on a dry road, while stopping in icy conditions will take three times the distance.

In addition to watching your speed, avoid sudden breaking, accelerating, sharp turns of wheel and unnecessary lane changing as most accidents are caused by drivers travelling too fast. Look ahead as far as possible to watch for any obstacles or incidents, stay well back from snow plows and never pass a snow plow on the right hand side.

To learn more about your rights and potential compensation for your accident in North Dakota, please call the Williston accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today.

Filed Under: Driver safety

Teenage Boy Seriously Injured During a Hayride

September 30, 2015 By

On Saturday, September 26, a teenage boy was seriously injured during a hayride in Hankinson.
According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the accident happened on Saturday afternoon when an Oktoberfest celebration was underway.

Two flatbed hay trailers had around 25 riders on them, and they were being pulled by an Allis Chalmers tractor through the streets of Hankinson at around 5 mph. Thirteen year old Ethan Peterson fell off the first trailer for an unknown reason and was then run over by the second one.

He was transported first by Hankinson ambulance and then airlifted to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo with what are said to be very serious injuries. Donald Buckhaus, aged 59 and of Hankinson was driving the tractor and he was uninjured.

The investigation is ongoing and this is indeed a sad time for the family as the teen lost his father a little over a week ago due to heart disease.

To learn more about your rights and potential compensation for your accident in North Dakota, please call the Williston accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today.

Filed Under: Trailer accident

Underwood Woman Died in Crash

August 24, 2015 By

On Tuesday night, August 18 an Underwood woman died of her injuries in a crash in McLean County.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the accident happened just before 10 p.m. on a road made of gravel, about four miles to the west of Underwood.

A Ford Excursion, being driven by a 14 year old girl was travelling eastbound at high speed on Second Street Northwest when she lost control and the car ended up in the ditch. She tried to over correct and the SUV rolled and ended up on the passenger side.

Randi Backer, aged 33 was the front seat passenger and she was ejected from the vehicle and critically injured. She was taken to a Fargo hospital where she died. The rear seat passenger was a 16 year old girl and she was also ejected and taken to hospital along with the driver.

The SUV was totaled and police said that alcohol was present in the vehicle. They are still investigating but say charges are pending against the driver.

To learn more about your rights and potential compensation for your accident in North Dakota, please call the Williston accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today.

Filed Under: Auto Accident

Two Women were Killed in Car Accident

August 11, 2015 By

On Wednesday morning, July 15, two women were killed in a car accident in Walsh County.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the accident happened shortly before noon about five miles west of Park River.

A 2014 Toyota Avalon was driving northbound with four women all in their eighties. It then ran a stop sign at the intersection of Highways 32 and 17 and was hit by a westbound 2015 Kenworth semi. The two women in the back seat, who were an 81 year old from Bismark and an 84 year old from Glendive both died at the scene.

The driver, an 80 year old from Bismark had minor injuries and was taken to First Care Health Center in Park River and released following treatment. The 86 year old front seat passenger was severely injured and taken to Altru hospital in Grand Forks.

The semi driver, a 62 year old male from LaBroquerie, Man. was uninjured.

To learn more about your rights and potential compensation for your accident in North Dakota, please call the Williston accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today.

Filed Under: Auto Accident