Top-Rated South Dakota Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

You have to call the police after a motorcycle collision accident if you want to file a claim with a higher probability of success. The arrival of local authorities will help you document the circumstances of the accident such as the cause and who the at-fault party is. However from time to time you may get into an accident that doesn’t have an at-fault party, and is instead caused by external factors such as hazardous road conditions.

After you call the police, seek out medical attention for an examination immediately. Police that arrive at the scene of the accident usually call on paramedics to treat injured motorcyclists and automotive vehicle victims, then they are taken to the hospital for further examination. It doesn’t really matter how you feel after the motorcycle collision, you still have to be taken to the hospital and be treated. Shock could be affecting you, making it so you do not feel the full impact of your injuries in that moment.

Whiplash is one such injury that doesn’t always show itself immediately after a motorcycle collision and could take hours or days to appear. By being medically treated you are making sure to treat your serious injury before it gets worse. Being treated also becomes more evidence of the fact that your injuries were specifically caused by the crash.

Experiencing pain and suffering and an injury caused by a motorcycle or automotive collision is known as a personal injury. Any injury from the crash can be considered a personal injury, regardless of its severity, so you should have your injuries examined by a medical professional.

Personal injuries have a dramatic impact on a person’s quality of life. Many factors contribute to a good way of life but due to an accident some may be unable to work and support their loved ones. Such factors are considered by insurance providers when they review your claim.

Injuries from a motorcycle accident can be mild, severe, or somewhere in between. There are common injuries after an accident which include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Back injuries
• Broken bones
• Fractures
• Road rash
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Wrongful death
• Head injuries
• Lacerations and cuts
• Concussions
• Whiplash

South Dakota is an at-fault state, so fault is determined by the local authorities’ investigation of the scene of the accident. The at-fault party’s insurance provider must pay the cost of damages and injuries sustained in the collision. Filing a claim is therefore necessary when you’re in an accident regardless of who was at-fault. South Dakota also requires that all parties have liability insurance in case of accidents.

In South Dakota, the minimum liability coverage for insured drivers is $25,000 of bodily injury protection per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 of property damage protection. Uninsured motorists’ minimum liability coverage is set at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

It’s a wise move to contact a South Dakota attorney immediately following your accident to make sure you are supported legally. A good lawyer will provide you with valuable legal advice and give you guidance while going through the claims process.

A lot of people don’t take action until they realize that their claim was underpaid or not at all to contact an attorney for fair settlement. Your payout may not cover the cost of your losses, medical expenses, and other damages if your insurance company doesn’t adequately settle your claim so it’s best to contact an attorney to defend your rights and help you settle properly.

In South Dakota, the statute of limitations is 3 years to file a complaint for any personal injury or 6 years for damage to your vehicle/personal property. Basically if you don’t file your civil suit within 3 years (or 6 years depending on the circumstances) then the courts will throw your case out and you will be unable to seek compensation. Insurance companies know the time constraints you have to file within so it’s important that you file a claim immediately after the accident.

Selecting a personal injury attorney can be difficult with the many options in your area. The most important consideration when hiring a personal injury attorney is whether or not their firm has a lot of experience with motorcycle accidents and personal injury law. You should find that the firm and its attorneys have a proven track record of success in winning personal injury lawsuits like yours.

Your attorney should practice in the local area so that you know they are familiar with South Dakota motorcycle accident law and personal injury claims. If you are unsure of your attorney options then LegalFinders is here to get you in touch with the proper attorney for your case. One of the attorneys in our extensive network can provide a free consultation and lead you through the next steps of your case.