Car accidents can be overwhelming and confusing, especially when dealing with legal and financial issues that may arise. In South Dakota, it is important to hire a lawyer following a car accident to protect your legal rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

One reason to hire a car accident lawyer in South Dakota is to navigate the state’s unique laws and regulations. For example, South Dakota is a “fault” state, meaning that the person who is at fault for the accident is responsible for paying damages. An experienced lawyer can help you understand the state’s laws and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Another reason to hire a lawyer is to deal with insurance adjusters. In South Dakota, insurance companies are required to act in good faith and settle claims fairly. However, insurance adjusters may try to minimize the amount of money that the insurance company pays out, and may use your statement against you later on. A lawyer can help you navigate these issues and ensure that your rights are protected.

In addition, South Dakota has specific laws related to medical bills following a car accident. For example, South Dakota law allows healthcare providers to place a lien on any settlement or judgment that you receive in a personal injury case. An experienced lawyer can help you negotiate with healthcare providers to reduce your bills or work with your insurance company to ensure that your bills are covered.

If you are unable to work due to your injuries, a lawyer can also help you understand your options for disability or workers’ compensation benefits. In South Dakota, the state’s Division of Labor and Management oversees workers’ compensation claims.

In summary, hiring a car accident lawyer in South Dakota is important to protect your legal rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the state’s unique laws and regulations, deal with insurance adjusters, manage medical bills, and understand your options for disability or workers’ compensation benefits.

 

Being injured in a car accident can leave you with a lot of questions, including whether your case will go to trial. The idea of going to court can seem scary to some, as the outcome is not guaranteed. Hiring an experienced trial attorney is your best bet at getting the compensation you deserve.

In car accident cases, there are two ways that you may receive compensation: a settlement or a victory at trial.

TRIAL VS. SETTLEMENT

A settlement is when the injured victim (the plaintiff) and an insurance company (representing the defendant) agree to a set amount of compensation that the insurance company is willing to pay for injuries that the car accident victim sustained. Settlement ensures that the injured victim walks away with actual compensation. In reality, however, settlement is not always an option. Sometimes, the insurance company will refuse to pay an injured party proper compensation or anything at all. When the two parties cannot agree on a settlement amount, your case will need to go to court.

TRIAL

Just because your case goes to court, does not necessarily mean that it will end in trial. Settlement may happen after a lawsuit is started. If settlement does not occur, you should have an experienced trial attorney advocating on your behalf. The most critical part of going to court is presenting the evidence of your case to a judge or jury. Evidence that may be presented in court includes medical records, police records, photos of the accidents, witness testimonies and expert testimonies.

The defendant will also present evidence in court to prove their own side. Presenting your case is an intricate process and requires looking at evidence with the utmost detail and explaining how the evidence proves the car accident directly caused your injuries.

GET A TRIAL ATTORNEY ON YOUR SIDE

The lawyers at Olivier Miles Holtz are passionate advocates who have gotten proven results on behalf of injured plaintiffs. When clients come to OMH, they can rest assured knowing the are in the hands of legal advocates who are committed to fighting for justice against large insurance companies and corporations.