Were you injured in an accident in South Dakota? If so, you might be able to recover compensation by pursuing a personal injury claim. You should consult with a personal injury attorney about your accident.
You would pursue the claim against the party who is responsible for your accident. You will be holding the negligent party liable for any actions or inactions that led to the damages that were suffered. Most accidents could have been prevented, but if someone fails to hold up to their responsibilities or there is wrongdoing, often the negligence is obvious and easily proven.
At other times it might be more challenging to prove fault. Your attorney can do investigative work and gather up the evidence and documentation to show what caused your accident and what damages you suffered.
How Many Personal Injury Attorneys Are In South Dakota?
You should consult with a South Dakota personal injury attorney if you have been injured and are interested in pursuing a personal injury claim. You have a choice of personal injury lawyers in South Dakota. As of April 2018, Avvo reported 38 personal injury attorneys were in the state but the number was probably higher.
When you enlist the help of a lawyer, you want to get one who is licensed in the state where the accident took place so he or she is familiar with state and local laws. Also, you need an attorney who is licensed to represent you in court should the case advance that far. You don’t have to worry about upfront costs because personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they won’t be paid until you get compensated for your damages.
Personal injury lawyers have strong negotiation skills, so they can often reach a settlement with the insurance company. If the claim must advance to court, your lawyer can build a strong case and gather up the evidence and documentation needed to prove your case. The documentation that is needed might include an accident report, medical records, medical bills, documentation showing missed work and lost wages, statements from any witnesses, photographs, and estimates for repairs.
Your lawyer will gather up everything to show the losses you suffered as a result. Your attorney will also calculate your losses and come up with a fair settlement amount.
How Can A South Dakota Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
Even a minor accident can lead to long-term damages and injuries that affect you for years to come. Accidents cause both economic and non-economic damages. While there are numerous kinds of damages that can result from an accident, some of the more common accidents that can be suffered include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, future loss of earnings, mental and emotional trauma, permanent scarring and disfigurement, disabilities, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and more. Your attorney will assess your situation, determine which damages you suffered, and then come up with a fair settlement value for your claim.
Sometimes it is easy to determine who is at fault for an accident and who is liable for the claim. At other times, it might be more difficult to determine liability. As an example, you were in an accident that involved a tractor-trailer. You might not know whether to pursue a claim against the truck driver, the company leasing the truck, or the truck owner. Your attorney will assess the situation and make sure the claim is filed against the right entity.
Courthouses in South Dakota
Different cases are pursued in different courts. As an example, some cases are pursued in a small claims court while others are filed in a higher court. Here are some South Dakota courthouses:
US District Court
102 4th Avenue SE #408
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Vermillion County Courthouse
211 W Main Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Tripp County Courthouse
200 E 3rd Street
Winner, SD 57580
Your attorney will ensure your claim is filed in the right court, so time and resources aren’t wasted.
Speak With An Attorney Today!
Time is of the essence. In South Dakota, there is a three-year statute of limitations when it comes to filing a personal injury claim against the liable party in an accident injury case. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page so your details can be shared with an attorney and your claim can get on track!
Helpful Resources
South Dakota’s Driving Laws
Personal Injury Claims in South Dakota
