SD personal injury case & accident info
With 400,000 bikers visiting South Dakota every year for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the state is no stranger to road and car accidents, negligence issues and personal injury cases. Figuring out where to place blame and liability can be a puzzle in and of itself.
Perhaps it was you who was injured; maybe it was a family member or friend. Whatever happens during your South Dakota journeys, if you need help for your personal injury case, Enjuris can offer guidance.
South Dakota personal injury law: the basics
South Dakota statutes online
This is where you’ll find the South Dakota Code of Laws. The website has details about how long you have to bring a case, monetary limits on personal injury cases (which are also known as damage caps), and other important information.
To read:
South Dakota's car accident statutes of limitation
In South Dakota, you have three years to bring both a personal injury and a property damage claim. That means you have three years to file your paperwork with the court, not that your case has to be completed in that time frame.
South Dakota's Statute of Limitations
To read:
Accidents & injuries in South Dakota
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Accident worksheets
Your First Meeting with an Attorney
A worksheet to prepare for your first meeting with a personal injury attorney – what to bring, what they'll ask
Download in PDF format
Documents & Evidence Checklist
Checklist of 30 items to help you prepare for making a personal injury or accident claim
Download in PDF format
Personal Injury Attorney Interview Sheet
Worksheet with questions to ask a personal injury attorney to help determine if he or she will be a good fit for your case
Download in PDF format
Damages/Expenses Worksheet
Damages worksheet to track expenses for your injury claim (medical treatment, property damage, lost wages, prescriptions)
Download in PDF format
Post-Accident Journal Form
Sample accident journal/diary to help you document the effect on your daily life
Download in PDF format
Accident Report Form
Sample post-accident report form to keep in your glove box - fill out at the scene or as soon as you can after a car accident
Download in PDF format
Hiring a lawyer in South Dakota
The first meeting with a personal injury attorney is normally free of charge. (Note that other legal specialties, such as traffic law or domestic relations law, are different.) After that, lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that they will receive a third of the eventual reward, plus whatever office expenses they incur along the way.
If your case proceeds to trial, that percentage could rise to 40% of the eventual reward or judgment. These numbers aren't determined by law, so don't be surprised if your lawyer suggests something else.
Want to hire a lawyer and need some help?
Check out some of our best articles:
Examples of personal injury cases and accidents
Personal injury cases (also known as a tort lawsuit) come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Auto accidents, medical malpractice and premises liability (slip/fall) are a few examples of the most common types of personal injury cases, but there are many more. In fact, torts are among the most common legal actions in the United States. Read more
Read our complete guide to finding the right injury attorney for your case. Read insights from Enjuris attorneys and lawyers across the USA on when and why you need to hire a car accident attorney. Learn more
Need a lawyer?
Law libraries in South Dakota
There are a number of issues you can solve without the help of a lawyer. If you don't know where to begin, a law librarian can help you. They are usually legally trained, and they can help you both with texts or online research engines like LexisNexis or Westlaw.
- University of South Dakota School of Law Library
- South Dakota Supreme Court Law Library