Home » South Dakota Truck Accident Attorney

Big truck crashes can change your life in a flash. You might be hurt, have lots of medical bills, and feel unsure about what to do next. If you or someone you love was in a truck accident in South Dakota, you're not alone. The team of South Dakota truck accident attorneys from Shunnarah Truck Accident Lawyers is here to help you through this tough time and fight for the money you deserve.

Injured In A Truck Accident?

Why Choose Our South Dakota Truck Accident Lawyers

Our law firm knows all about truck accident cases in South Dakota. We've helped many people get money after truck accidents. Our lawyers know all the rules about trucks, both in South Dakota and in the whole country. This helps us do a great job when we talk to insurance companies or go to court.

We care about our clients. We're proud to be part of South Dakota, and we have offices all over the state to help you. No matter where you are in South Dakota, we're close by to help.

We have an office in Sioux Falls at 123 W. 10th St. This office helps people in the eastern part of South Dakota. We also have an office in Rapid City at 456 Main St. This one helps people in the western part of the state.

We have these offices because we think everyone in South Dakota should be able to get good legal help, no matter where they live. We're always nearby when you need us.

Truck Accident Compensation

After a truck accident, you might wonder, "How much money can I get?" This is a good question, but it's not easy to answer. The amount of money you can get depends on many things, and each case is different.

The main things that affect how much money you can get are:

How badly you're hurt
If you can still work
How the accident will affect your life in the future

If you're hurt really badly, you might get more money. This money can help pay for your medical bills now and in the future. If you can't work because of the accident, you might get money for the pay you've lost and will lose. Some injuries can affect your whole life, and you might get money for that, too.

You might also get money to fix or replace your car. The pain you feel and how upset you are about the accident count, too. How much the truck driver or trucking company was liable can also change how much money you get.

In South Dakota, there's no limit on how much damages you can get for things like medical bills and lost pay. This is good because truck accidents often cause really bad injuries and huge medical bills.

Sometimes, more than one person or company is responsible for the accident. This could be the truck driver, the trucking company, the people who loaded the truck, or even the people who made parts of the truck. This can be good for you because it means there might be more places to get money from.

Trucking companies have to have big insurance policies. This means there's often more money available in truck accident cases than in regular car accident cases.

Our lawyers know all about how to get money for truck accidents in South Dakota. We look at everything about your case, like your medical bills, lost pay, and how the accident has changed your life. We work with expert witnesses to make sure we think about all your needs, now and in the future. We want to get you all the money you deserve.

Remember, insurance companies often try to give you less money than you should get. We fight hard to get you a fair amount. If they won't give you enough, we're ready to go to court. We can't promise exactly what will happen, but we promise to fight as hard as we can for you.

In South Dakota, you usually have three years after the accident to start a lawsuit. But it's best to start as soon as you can. This helps make sure we can get all the evidence we need. Don't wait too long! Call our experienced South Dakota truck accident lawyers today for a free talk about your case.

Where Do Truck Accidents Happen in South Dakota?

Truck accidents can happen anywhere in South Dakota, but some places see more accidents than others. It's important to know about these dangerous spots so you can be extra careful when driving near big trucks in these areas.

One of the most common places for truck accidents is on Interstate 90, also called I-90. This big road goes all the way across South Dakota from east to west. It's always busy with trucks, day and night. Truck drivers can get really tired on this road because some parts of it are long and boring. They might not pay attention as well as they should. The weather on I-90 can also change quickly, which can surprise drivers and cause accidents.

Another dangerous area for trucks is the Black Hills region. The roads in the Black Hills are very different from the flat highways in other parts of South Dakota. They're twisty and go up and down steep hills. This can be really hard for big trucks to handle. Sometimes, their brakes might not work well on the steep roads, or they might tip over if they take a turn too fast. Some truck drivers who aren't used to mountain roads might not be ready for how suddenly the road can change in the Black Hills.

Cities in South Dakota, like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, also see a lot of truck accidents. These often happen where big highways come into the city and meet smaller city streets. Truck drivers have a hard time in cities because they have to make tight turns and deal with lots of cars, people walking, and traffic lights. It's very different from driving on open highways.

The area around Sioux Falls Regional Airport is another place where truck accidents happen a lot. This area is always busy with trucks bringing things to and from the airport. There's a mix of different kinds of traffic here - trucks, regular cars, and people rushing to catch their flights. This mix of different vehicles and people in a hurry can make it a dangerous place to drive.

In the eastern part of South Dakota, Interstate 29 (I-29) is another road where truck accidents are common. This road goes north and south, and many trucks use it for long trips. Truck drivers on I-29 might get very tired because they've been driving for many hours. Tired drivers are more likely to make mistakes or fall asleep at the wheel, which can cause serious accidents.

Out in western South Dakota, there's a road called US-85 that sees a lot of truck accidents. This road is used by many trucks from oil fields. These trucks are often very heavy and can be harder to stop quickly. What makes US-85 even more dangerous is that there are a lot of animals that cross the road. Deer, antelope, and other animals might suddenly run in front of a truck, causing the driver to swerve or brake hard. This can lead to accidents, especially if there are other cars nearby.

It's important to remember that while these are some of the most common places for truck accidents in South Dakota, they can really happen anywhere. Always be extra careful when driving near big trucks, no matter where you are. Keep your distance, don't cut in front of them, and remember that truck drivers might not be able to see you if you're too close. By being aware of these dangerous spots and driving carefully, you can help keep yourself and others safe on South Dakota's roads.

Understanding Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can happen in different ways. Here are some common types:

Jackknife: This is when the trailer swings out to the side, making an L-shape with the truck.
Underride: This is when a smaller car slides under the trailer.
Rollover: This is when the truck tips over onto its side.

People often get hurt really badly in truck accidents because trucks are so big and heavy. You might get a head injury, hurt your spine, or damage organs inside your body. You might break bones, get big cuts, or even get burned. It can take a long time to get better from these injuries.

Fighting the Insurance Company

Dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident can be really hard. These big companies want to pay you as little money as possible. It often feels like you're fighting a giant all by yourself.

Insurance companies might try to:

Offer you a small amount of money right away
Say you're not as hurt as you really are
Blame you for the accident
Take a long time to deal with your case
Use tricky words to get you to say things that hurt your case

Our lawyers know all about these tricks. We've spent years learning how to deal with them. We know all about truck laws and insurance rules in South Dakota.

When you hire us, we do all the talking with the insurance companies. This keeps you from saying something they could use against you. We know how to understand and answer what the insurance companies say.

We look into the accident ourselves. We get police reports, talk to people who saw what happened, and work with experts to understand how badly you're hurt. We use all this to build a strong case.

If the insurance company says you're not really hurt, we bring in doctors to explain your injuries. We make sure all your injuries are written down and explained well.

When we talk about money, we don't just take the first settlement offer. We know how much your case is really worth. We fight hard to get you a fair amount of money.

If the insurance company tries to blame you, we fight back. We use evidence from the accident, what people saw, and what experts say to show it wasn't your fault.

If the insurance company won't give you enough money, we're not afraid to go to court. Sometimes, just saying we'll go to court makes them change their mind. If we do go to court, you'll have experienced lawyers on your side.

We keep you informed about what's happening with your case. We explain what we're doing, what the insurance company is offering, and what might happen next. We want you to understand everything so you can make good decisions.

With us helping you, you can focus on getting better. We handle all the hard stuff, like fighting the insurance company, trying to get a fair amount of money, and getting ready for court if we need to. We work hard to make sure you get all the money you deserve, both for now and for the future.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in South Dakota

If you've been in a truck accident in South Dakota, there are important steps you should take to protect yourself and strengthen your case, even if some time has passed since the accident happened. These steps can make a big difference in how your case turns out.

First and foremost, it's crucial to keep all your medical records safe. This includes everything from the initial emergency room visit to follow-up appointments with doctors and specialists. These records are like a story of your injuries and recovery. They show how badly you were hurt and what kind of treatment you needed. Make sure to follow all your doctor's instructions carefully. This is not only good for your health but also shows that you're doing everything you can to get better. If you ignore your doctor's advice, it might look like your injuries aren't as bad as you say they are.

It's also really helpful to write down how the accident has changed your daily life. Keep a journal where you talk about your pain levels each day, what activities you can't do anymore, and how you're feeling emotionally. For example, you might write about how you can't pick up your kids anymore or how you had to miss your favorite hobby because of pain. This journal can be strong evidence of how the accident has affected your life beyond just the medical bills.

Another important thing to do is get a copy of the police report about your accident. This report has lots of important information like where and when the accident happened, who was involved, and what the police officer thought caused the crash. Sometimes, this report can have mistakes, so it's good to get a copy and check it carefully. If you find any errors, let your lawyer know right away.

Once you have all this information - your medical records, your personal journal, and the police report - it's time to bring everything to a law firm like ours. We have a lot of experience with truck accident cases in South Dakota, and we know exactly what to look for in all these documents. We can spot important details that you might not notice, and we know how to use this information to build a strong case for you.

Remember, the sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better. Even if it's been a while since your accident, don't think it's too late to get help. We can still do a lot to help you. When you come to us, we'll carefully look at everything you bring. We'll read through your medical records, listen to your story about how the accident has changed your life, and study the police report.

But we don't stop there. We'll also do our own investigation to find more evidence. This might mean talking to witnesses, looking at photos of the accident scene, or working with experts who can recreate how the accident happened. All of this helps us build a really strong case for you.

We understand that dealing with all of this after a truck accident can feel overwhelming. You're trying to recover from your injuries, manage your medical appointments, and maybe even figure out how to pay your bills if you can't work. That's why we're here to help. We can take on the legal side of things, giving you the time and space you need to focus on getting better.

So, even if your truck accident happened a while ago, don't think it's too late to take action. Keep gathering information, keep following your doctor's advice, and don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to guide you through this difficult time and fight for the compensation you deserve. The more information you can provide us, and the sooner you contact us, the better we can help you navigate the aftermath of your truck accident in South Dakota.