Car accidents are a serious concern in every city and state, including Sioux Falls, and can result in property damage, injuries, and fatalities.
Â
According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, there were 14,742 reported crashes in South Dakota in 2019, resulting in 4,487 injuries and 141 fatalities. In Sioux Falls specifically, there were 4,425 reported crashes in 2019, resulting in 1,176 injuries and 12 fatalities.
Â
According to local news reports and statistics from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, some of the most common causes of car accidents in Sioux Falls include speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and failure to yield the right of way.
Â
In recent years, there has been a focus on improving road safety in Sioux Falls through various initiatives, including increased enforcement of traffic laws, public education campaigns, and road infrastructure improvements. For example, in 2019, the city of Sioux Falls launched a Vision Zero initiative with the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on city streets by 2040.
Â
Despite these efforts, car accidents remain a significant issue in Sioux Falls and across South Dakota. It’s important for drivers to stay alert and cautious while on the road and to take steps to reduce their risk of being involved in a car accident.
Here are some additional statistics about car accidents in South Dakota:
- In 2020, there were 13,314 reported crashes in South Dakota, resulting in 3,929 injuries and 140 fatalities. This is a slight decrease from 2019, when there were 14,742 reported crashes in the state.
- The majority of car accidents in South Dakota occur on rural roads. In 2020, 62% of fatal crashes and 80% of serious injury crashes happened on rural roads.
- The most common contributing factors to car accidents in South Dakota are driver inattention/distraction, driving too fast for conditions, failure to yield right-of-way, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Males are more likely to be involved in car accidents than females in South Dakota. In 2020, males were involved in 61% of all reported crashes in the state.
- Young drivers are also at a higher risk of being involved in car accidents. In 2020, drivers between the ages of 15-24 accounted for 28% of all reported crashes in South Dakota.
Table of Contents
What should I do immediately after a car crash in South Dakota?
If you are involved in a car accident in South Dakota, it’s important to take certain steps immediately to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:
1. Check for injuries: Check yourself and any passengers in your vehicle for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately to request medical assistance.
2. Move to a safe location: If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location off the roadway to avoid any further accidents or hazards.
3. Call the police: Call 911 to report the accident and request police assistance. The police will prepare a report of the accident, which can be helpful for insurance and legal purposes.
4. Exchange information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Be sure to get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
5. Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to vehicles, property, or injuries. This can be helpful for insurance claims and legal purposes.
6. Contact your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process.
7. Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t feel injured immediately following the accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure there are no underlying injuries.
Â
It’s important to remember that you should never admit fault or discuss liability with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Let the police and insurance companies handle these matters. Finally, consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer if you have been injured in the accident to help protect your legal rights and seek compensation for damages.
When is it necessary to hire a car accident lawyer in South Dakota?
1. Serious injuries: If you or anyone involved in the accident has sustained serious injuries, it’s important to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help ensure that you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
2. Liability disputes: If there is a dispute about who is at fault for the accident, it may be necessary to hire a lawyer to help investigate the accident, gather evidence, and determine liability. This is especially important if you are being wrongfully accused of causing the accident.
3. Insurance company disputes: If you are having trouble dealing with the insurance company or feel that you are not being offered a fair settlement, a car accident lawyer can help negotiate on your behalf and fight for your rights.
4. Multiple parties involved: If there are multiple parties involved in the accident, such as other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians, it can complicate matters and make it more difficult to determine liability. In this case, it’s important to seek the help of a lawyer who can help navigate the legal process.
5. Fatal accidents: If a loved one has been killed in a car accident, it’s important to seek the help of a lawyer who can help you file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation for damages.
Overall, it’s important to remember that hiring a car accident lawyer can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation for any damages or injuries sustained in the accident.
Laws and statutes governing car accidents in South Dakota:
1. Statute of Limitations
- The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in South Dakota is three years from the date of the accident.
- The statute of limitations for filing a property damage claim is six years from the date of the accident.Â
2. Comparative Fault
- South Dakota follows a modified comparative fault rule for car accidents. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
- However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any damages at all.Â
3. Mandatory Reporting
- In South Dakota, you are required to report any car accident that results in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more to the South Dakota Highway Patrol or local law enforcement within 15 days of the accident.Â
4. Seat Belt Laws
- South Dakota has a primary seat belt law, which means that law enforcement can pull you over and ticket you for not wearing a seat belt, even if you have not committed any other traffic violations.
- Children under the age of five must be properly secured in a child safety seat.Â
5. DUI Laws
- In South Dakota, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
- If you are under the age of 21, the legal limit is 0.02%.
- Penalties for a DUI conviction in South Dakota can include fines, jail time, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol education/treatment programs.
- South Dakota requires all drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
- However, South Dakota also requires insurers to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to all policyholders, which can help protect you in the event that you are in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
It’s important to note that these laws and statutes are subject to change, and you should consult with a qualified attorney or the South Dakota Department of Public Safety if you have any questions or concerns about car accident laws in South Dakota.
Â
5 major benefits of talking to a car accident lawyer in South Dakota:
1. Legal expertise and guidance: A car accident lawyer can provide you with legal expertise and guidance throughout the entire process of dealing with a car accident. They can help you understand your legal rights and options, and can advise you on the best course of action to take in order to protect those rights.
2. Maximizing compensation: A car accident lawyer can help you maximize the compensation you are entitled to for any damages or injuries sustained in the accident. They can help you gather evidence, calculate your damages, and negotiate with insurance companies or other parties involved in the accident to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
3. Handling paperwork and legal procedures: Dealing with the paperwork and legal procedures involved in a car accident can be overwhelming, especially if you are recovering from injuries or dealing with the emotional aftermath of the accident. A car accident lawyer can handle these tasks for you, including filing paperwork, communicating with insurance companies and other parties, and representing you in court if necessary.
4. Protection from unfair insurance practices: Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always have your best interests in mind. A car accident lawyer can help protect you from unfair insurance practices, such as denying a legitimate claim or offering a low settlement amount.
5. Peace of mind: Dealing with a car accident can be stressful and overwhelming, but having a car accident lawyer on your side can provide you with peace of mind. Knowing that you have an experienced legal professional handling your case can help you focus on your recovery and move forward from the accident with confidence.
Table of Contents
Cities We Serve in New Jersey
Newark, NJ
Jersey City, NJ
Elizabeth, NJ
East Orange, NJ
Linden, NJ
New Brunswick, NJ
Mount Laurel, NJ
Sayreville, NJ
West Orange, NJ
South Plainfield, NJ
Bergenfield, NJ
Cresskill, NJ
Demarest, NJ
Rochelle Park, NJ
Hackensack, NJ
East Orange, NJ
Fort Lee, NJ
Guttenberg, NJ
Harrison, NJ
Irvington, NJ
North Bergen, NJ
Palisades Park, NJ
Paramus, NJ
Paterson, NJ
Teaneck, NJ
Tenafly, NJ
Union City, NJ
West New York, NJ