Auto Accident Injury in Sioux Falls, SD

Have you suffered an injury from a car accident in Sioux Falls? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability to work and enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Sioux Falls, SD that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents, and an estimated 38,000 were killed. Sioux Falls has an average of 4,500 accidents annually, and 8.3% of those crashes cause injury. According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the most common times for accidents were traditional rush hours: 7-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. In addition, the factor that contributed to crashes the most was speeding.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared if you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one is injured, you should still call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When the officers arrive, make note of their names and badge numbers. Answer their questions truthfully but avoid offering any unsolicited information, especially opinions about what caused the accident. Be sure to ask for the police report number, as well as details on where and when you can obtain a copy, including any associated costs.

South Dakota Department of Public Safety requires that You must immediately notify the police following an accident when a person is injured or killed as a result. Or if there is $1,000 or more in property damage to any one person and/or a total property damage of $2,000 or more. In addition, the Sioux Falls Police Department says if a parked vehicle is damaged and the owner can’t be immediately contacted or if the unattended property is damaged in an accident, you are supposed to call the police. With them, you can also file an online report.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your phone to take clear photos of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and all other vehicles involved in the accident. It’s important not to rely solely on verbal exchanges; having detailed documentation will strengthen your case later on. Keep the interaction calm and polite, but refrain from apologizing or implying any fault on your part.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

In 2019 the Capital Journal reported that South Dakota hit a record low number of fatalities caused by auto accidents. However, those accidents still cost $177 million according to data accumulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national average cost of an accident involving injuries is over $60,000. Even though South Dakota is one of the nation’s least populous states, damages and costs surrounding auto accidents can still easily become astronomical.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in South Dakota

Liability Laws for Sioux Falls

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation utilizes liability insurance and states that there are mandatory minimum coverages for bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage.

Statute of Limitations in Sioux Falls

Each state has its tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. The statute of limitations for South Dakota car accident victims is three years.

The statute begins to run on your accident date, so if you miss the statute of limitations deadline, you could lose your legal right to pursue your claim with the negligent driver or the driver’s insurance company. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Sioux Falls, SD

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in South Dakota!

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.