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Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney in South Dakota

You may have many questions when you are involved in a truck accident, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by truck accident victims in the state of South Dakota.

What Should You Do If You Have Been Involved In An 18-Wheeler Accident n South Dakota?

If you have ever been involved in an auto accident, you probably understand that it can take quite a toll on your life. From being injured and losing your car, to losing time off of work and the amount of paperwork and calls that come with it, a car accident can upend your life. While every accident is different and may require different things from you, there are a few things that are typically always needed:

  1. Call 911. The very first thing that you should do if you have been involved in an 18-wheeler accident is to call emergency services. Even if you do not feel hurt, it is important to be checked out by emergency medical technicians. Adrenaline and shock are able to hide pain and symptoms of injuries until later, so you may not realize how injured you actually are. An EMT will be able to let you know if you need to go immediately by ambulance to the emergency room, or if a visit to your primary care physician should suffice. In either case, it is important to make sure that you hold on to any documentation regarding medical bills and diagnosis related to the accident. Your personal injury lawyer and your insurance company will need these.
  2. Collect evidence. It is very important to make sure that you document as much as possible the scene of the accident and the series of events that led to the accident. You can take pictures of the cars and the surroundings and videos of traffic and witness statements. It will be vital to collect the police report once it is ready and trading insurance information with the other driver will be necessary. If you have had an accident with a commercial vehicle, take a picture of the logo and the vehicle identification number if there is one.
  3. Call your insurance company. When you call your insurance company, make sure you have your policy number, the other driver’s insurance information and the evidence you collected on hand. The insurance company will want your version of events and will probably have you walk through what happened multiple times. Then, they will contact the other insurance company themselves, you usually will not be responsible for this. Once they have the evidence you collected and they are able to go through both versions of events, they will let you know what their judgment is.

If you are unsatisfied with the quality of the investigation or you feel the verdict is unfair, you can hire a truck accident lawyer to fight for your accident claim. If you feel you do need to go this route, LegalFinders is here to help you! LegalFinders can help truck accident victims connect with personal injury lawyers in their area, leaving the days of stressfully searching and comparing law firms far behind!

What Are Some Of The Common Causes Of Tractor-Trailer Accidents?

Big Truck accidents resulted in two fatalities and 123 crash injuries in 2020. It is important that motorists learn to share the roads with big rigs and understanding what can cause an accident is a great place to start. The following are some of the more common causes of 18-wheeler accidents:

 

  • Blind spot problems
  • Failure to yield
  • Not maintaining a safe following distance
  • Not maintaining a safe speed
  • Driver fatigue

Trucking companies do their part to make sure that they are only allowing alert and competent drivers on the road, such as requiring sleep breaks and CDLs. Understanding that big rigs must make very wide turns and that they have very large blind spots can help smaller vehicles navigate around them safely.

What Types Of Injuries Are Most Commonly Seen After A Truck Crash?

Emergency rooms see all types of injuries that are a result of a large truck accident, from mild injuries to more serious injuries and even death. Any type of vehicle collision is going to have a negative impact on your body, even if it is just causing soreness. The human body is not really made to withstand that type of impact. After an accident your body can mask serious injuries, this is why it is so important to get checked out after being in an auto accident. The following injuries are the most commonly seen injuries in large truck accidents:

 

  • Scrapes and cuts
  • Bruises
  • Broken bones
  • Concussions
  • Internal bleeding
  • Organ damages
  • Spinal Cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Comas
  • Wrongful Death

The only real way to have peace of mind after a car accident is to get checked out by a doctor. Save any of the bills that are generated due to the semi-truck accident. Any of the documentation regarding a diagnosis and doctor’s notes for work or school can also be very helpful for your future truck accident case if you choose to take legal action.

The trucking industry provides an invaluable service to Americans. Truck drivers do the very important work of transporting very needed goods and products from one side of the United States to the other and back again. They spend many days on the roads of America, seeing all sorts of amazing places.

Big rigs are not the only vehicles on the road, they must also share these highways with passenger vehicles like cars, motorcycles and other commercial vehicles. Unfortunately, with the increased amount of traffic on the road, accidents are bound to happen. If you or a loved one have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you may need the services of a personal injury attorney. LegalFinders is here to help!

Connect With Experienced And Qualified Personal Injury Attorneys In Your Area

Personal injury lawyers specialize in an area of the legal system known as tort law. They provide representation for people who are claiming physical or psychological injury due to negligence on the behalf of a person, an organization or another type of entity.

If you have been injured in a tractor trailer accident, you may want to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. They can be more than beneficial for your accident lawsuit, they provide stress relief so that you can try and get back to your normal life a lot sooner.

The attorney-client relationship is important and valuable and finding a personal injury attorney that listens to your needs is immeasurable, it can be all the difference. LegalFinders can help you find an attorney that will work their hardest to get you the financial compensation that you need and deserve.

When you are involved in any type of accident, there is a statute of limitations on how long you have to file a case or a suit. Personal injury lawyers are extremely knowledgeable about the accident laws of their state and how long you have to file. Hiring a personal injury attorney can help with keeping track of important dates and filing deadlines that you cannot miss.

In the tragic event that you lose a loved one in an 18-wheeler accident, a personal injury attorney will be there to walk you through the often emotionally challenging process of filing a wrongful death claim. They will handle as much as they can on their end so that you can focus on mourning with your loved ones.

LegalFinders has been designed to connect truck accident victims with top rated, experienced personal injury attorneys in their area. They offer testimonials from real people, contact information for law offices near you, reviews and the opportunity to set up a free initial consultation and free case evaluations. Check out LegalFinders today!

South Dakota Vehicle Accident Statistics

Total South Dakota Crashes in 2020

17559

Total Injuries during the course of this accident

4462

Crash Facilities

141

Rural area Interstate Auto Accidents

1928

with 17 fatalities

City Interstates Auto Accident

715

with 3 fatalities

The two largest cities in South Dakota, Sioux Falls and Rapid City accounted for all of the fatal and injury crashes

72.7%

occurring in the cities of South Dakota

Most Dangerous South Dakota Roadways

While it is true that every road has the potential to be a dangerous road if the drivers on the road are not paying attention, or if the road and weather conditions are not up to par, there are some roads that can be considered more dangerous than others. The following roads have been deemed the most treacherous in South Dakota:

Roadways Descriptions
Catron Boulevard 16 This is considered a very dangerous intersection due to the sheer amount of injuries and fatalities that occur here. This intersection is in Rapid City, which is surrounded by numerous national parks and draws lots of tourist traffic.
Interstate 90 This is the deadliest stretch of highway in South Dakota due to it being a major travel route and its tendency to be covered in snow in the winter months.
Iron Mountain Road This is considered to be a dangerous road because of its many very sharp turns and small, narrow bridges.
Needles Highway Due to the stunning scenery and very sharp turns, this highway can become very dangerous if you are not paying attention to the road in front of you.
Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway This is a dangerous road to take due to the fact that wildlife, mainly bison, block traffic and even charge cars at times.

South Dakota is a beautiful state with lots of gorgeous scenery that should be viewed, however, it is important to make sure you are paying attention to the road that you are on and that you are aware of your surroundings as well!

LegalFinders Wants To Help You Find A Personal Injury Attorney That You Can Rely On

Being involved in an accident with a large truck can be frightening and life-altering and you need someone you can trust to handle your truck accident case. LegalFinders can connect you with a truck accident lawyer for a free consultation and legal advice about your case. Disclaimer: LegalFinders cannot promise that you will receive the outcome in your case that you desire, on the opportunity to meet experienced, qualified personal injury attorneys in your area. If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in South Dakota, allow LegalFinders to help connect you with a legal team that best fits your needs!

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Published: 6 June 2022

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