Auto Accident Injury in Rapid City, SD

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, you may already be facing more than just pain. Emergency care, follow-up treatment, and time off work add up quickly. Meanwhile, insurance adjusters may offer low settlements or try to pin part of the blame on you.

This article gives Rapid City residents a step-by-step guide to managing the aftermath of a car accident. From local crash trends to state-specific legal rules, you’ll learn what to do, what to avoid, and how to pursue the financial recovery you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City’s location along I-90, combined with its role as a tourism hub, makes it one of the busiest traffic zones in western South Dakota. According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, there were 2,625 total motor vehicle crashes in Pennington County in 2022, resulting in 762 injuries and 21 fatalities, making it the county with the second-highest number of crashes in the state (SD DPS Crash Statistics).

Within Rapid City itself, common contributing factors included failure to yield, driving too fast for conditions, and distracted driving—especially along routes like Omaha Street, Rushmore Road, and SD Highway 44. Rural areas just outside city limits also see a high volume of high-speed and head-on collisions due to limited lighting, wildlife crossings, and icy road surfaces in the winter months.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

A car crash is always unexpected, and when it happens on the streets of Rapid City or the highways surrounding the Black Hills, the aftermath can be disorienting. The steps you take immediately after the crash can significantly impact your recovery and your legal options.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

First and foremost, check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt—even slightly—call 911 right away and request emergency services. Paramedics may transport you to local facilities such as Monument Health Rapid City Hospital. Keep in mind that not all injuries are obvious immediately. Conditions like concussions, whiplash, and internal bleeding often develop hours or even days after the crash.

File a Police Report

Under South Dakota law, you are required to report any crash that results in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more (SD Codified Law § 32-34-7). In most cases, Rapid City Police or Pennington County Sheriff’s deputies will respond to the scene and complete an official accident report.

When officers arrive, provide factual answers but avoid speculation or opinions about who was at fault. Be sure to get their names, badge numbers, and ask how you can obtain a copy of the crash report—often available through the South Dakota Accident Records portal. This document will serve as critical evidence for any insurance claim or legal action you take.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

If it’s safe to do so, begin collecting information from the other driver(s) and any witnesses:

• Full names, phone numbers, and addresses
• Driver’s license numbers and issuing states
• Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate numbers
• Auto insurance provider and policy number
• Contact details for eyewitnesses

Use your phone to take comprehensive photos of the scene: vehicle damage, road signs, traffic signals, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. If the crash involved icy conditions, wildlife, or poor visibility—all common in Rapid City—make sure to document that as well. This evidence can play a pivotal role in determining fault and the severity of damages.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

South Dakota follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning that you can recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault (SD Codified Law § 20-9-2). For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re found to be 20% at fault, your recovery would be limited to $80,000. If you’re found to be 50% or more responsible, you cannot recover anything.

In cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, such as drunk driving or fleeing the scene, South Dakota courts may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. These are intended to punish egregious behavior and deter others from similar conduct. Although less common, punitive damages can significantly increase the total value of a claim.

Auto Accident Laws in South Dakota

Liability Laws for Rapid City

South Dakota is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident is legally responsible for paying damages. Victims of car accidents can pursue compensation by:

• Filing a claim with their own insurance company (which may then pursue subrogation against the at-fault driver)
• Filing a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver

To legally drive in South Dakota, motorists must carry minimum liability coverage of:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage
• Uninsured motorist coverage matching bodily injury minimums is also required (source: SD Department of Labor and Regulation)

Statute of Limitations in Rapid City

In South Dakota, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims—including those arising from auto accidents—is three years from the date of the accident (SD Codified Law § 15-2-14). That means you must file a civil lawsuit for injuries or property damage within those three years. If you fail to do so, the court will likely dismiss your claim, and the at-fault driver or their insurer will no longer be legally obligated to compensate you.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Rapid City, SD

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Rapid City, don’t wait to take the next step. The longer you delay, the harder it becomes to gather critical evidence and meet legal deadlines. Reach out today for a free consultation with a local personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle your type of case—and is ready to fight for the compensation you need to move forward with confidence.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.