Legal•Info

South Dakota Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Finding accurate numbers on the amount of motorcycle accidents across the country can be challenging. But in South Dakota, where helmet laws are strictly enforced, and there are more than 25,000 registered motorcycle owners, it is estimated that nearly a dozen South Dakotans die in motorcycle accidents each year, and more than 300 are injured annually. While statistics vary greatly depending on the source, one definitive fact remains: Thousands of motorcyclists die each year in fatal collisions around the country, and tens of thousands suffer injuries some more severe than others from motorcycle accidents every year. Despite heightened training and safety initiatives, several reports claim that roughly 2,000 to 3,000 motorcyclists die each year in the US in single-vehicle motorcycle crashes, and some 80,000 to 130,000 non-fatal motorcycle accidents occur each year.

Because of the dangerous nature of a motorcycle, accidents are a common hazard, and the likelihood of suffering a fatality is much higher when driving a motorcycle instead of a car. It is reported that anywhere from 70 to 80 percent of all reported motorcycle accidents result in injury or death, while the injury/fatality rate of passenger vehicles is right around 20 percent. There are several reasons for this discrepancy: Motorcycles offer no protective barrier between the rider and outside elements, like the road, roadside hazards, and other cars. Recent statistics show that per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the number of reported motorcycle accidents was 776.57, while the number for passenger cars involved in accidents per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 423.13.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in South Dakota, or you are a family member of a loved one who was killed in a motorcycle accident, you need to hire a South Dakota motorcycle accident lawyer to give you the best chance of winning your case. An experienced South Dakota motorcycle accident lawyer or personal injury attorney will be well-versed in South Dakota's motorcycle laws at both the state and local levels. Furthermore, they will understand South Dakota's personal injury laws, and they can help you recover monetary compensation for accident-related costs, such as medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, damages to the motorcycle, and much more.

When searching for motorcycle accident lawyers in South Dakota, it's best to seek out attorneys who are also very familiar with the different types of bikes, are not biased towards motorcyclists, and have an understanding of motorcycle culture. In general, personal injury attorneys will be able to help you with your case, but be sure to ask certain questions related to motorcycle accident cases they have handled. Most experienced attorneys will have handled a great deal of cases, some of which may be very similar to the one you are involved with.

One thing your attorney will want to know is what type of insurance you are covered under. For motorcyclists, there are a couple of different types of coverage; one is uninsured motorist coverage, which is coverage on your policy, and this pays for your injuries when someone who doesn't have any coverage causes the accident and subsequent injury. Then there is underinsured motorist coverage, which pays you for your injuries when the person who is at fault has insurance coverage with a limited liability, meaning they will not be able to fully compensate for your injuries.

In recent South Dakota motorcycle accident news, a married couple of 44 years died in a motorcycle crash. It had been the first time the husband had convinced his wife to go with him to a motorcycle rally. While riding down the road, a truck made a sudden left turn while fishtailing. The end result was a head-on collision between the bike and the truck. The husband was dead at the scene, while the wife was pronounced dead at the hospital. The trailer driver was charged for failing to yield.

If you are ready to hire a South Dakota motorcycle accident lawyer or attorney, it's in your best interest to seek counsel right away. In South Dakota, your claim must be filed within three years of the motorcycle accident.