South Dakota Truck Accident Attorneys

South Dakota Truck Accident Attorneys

Helping Victims of South Dakota Truck Accidents Recover for Their Injuries

Commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks and other big rigs operate on South Dakota roadways on a daily basis. Large trucks are capable of causing extremely serious injuries when they are involved in accidents, which is why the trucking industry is subject to significant state and federal regulation. For example, the statutory maximum height allowed within South Dakota is 14’0″ as stated in South Dakota Codified Law 32-22-3. This is just one example of various rules and regulations that are intended to reduce the risks posed by large trucks.

Types of Truck Accidents

While truck accidents can occur much like any other type of motor vehicle crash, commercial vehicles’ size and unique construction can make them susceptible to certain types of accidents in which smaller passenger vehicles are typically not involved. Some of the more common types of serious truck accidents that often result in serious injury include the following:

• Rear-end collisions
• Jackknife accidents
• Rollover accidents
• T-Bone accidents
• Head-on collisions

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can occur for any number of reasons. What is important for victims is that when they are caused by another person’s negligence, South Dakota law generally entitles them to financial recovery for their losses. Some examples of common causes of commercial vehicle accidents that entitle victims to recovery include the following:

• Truck driver fatigue
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Defective vehicle design
• Impaired driving
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Failure to yield
• Ignoring poor weather conditions

Truck Accident Checklist

If you have been involved in a truck accident, there are certain steps you should take to make sure that your rights are fully protected. Some of these include the following.

• Collect Information – If you are able to do so, you should collect information while you are at the scene of the accident. Examples of the kinds of facts of which to make note include the names of the other drivers involved in your accident, the company responsible for the operation of the vehicle, the other driver’s insurance information, and any roadway hazards that may have contributed to your accident.
• See a Physician – Accident victims should always take the time to see a doctor, even if they do not believe that their injuries are particularly serious. Doing so will ensure that your injuries are documents and treated.
• Contact an Attorney – The most effective thing that victims can do to protect their rights is to retain an attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer will investigate your case and negotiate with the insurance company handling your case on your behalf.

Why Hire a South Dakota Truck Accident Lawyer?

As a truck accident victim, it is important to understand that that crashes involving commercial vehicles differ from those involving non-commercial cars and trucks in many important ways. Perhaps one of the most important of these differences is the fact that commercial vehicles are subject to federal regulations known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), which regulation nearly every aspect of the industry, from the health of commercial drivers to the maintenance of vehicles. For this reason, victims should be certain to retain an attorney familiar with helping truck accident victims recover.