What You Should Know: Accident Stats from an Injury Lawyer in Rapid City, SD

An injury lawyer in Rapid City, SD, can help if you have been injured in an accident. Whether you were in a serious car accident or a minor fender-bender, it is wise to seek legal help in ensuring that your rights are protected.  You could be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries but you only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit, so schedule a consultation as soon as possible.

To protect yourself from getting in another accident, it helps to understand some of the basic accident data.  Knowing who is the most likely to be in a fatal car crash can help you to avoid one.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Safety Administration in 2014:

• 2.3 million people were injured in a car accident
• 32,675 people were killed
• 49 percent of passengers killed in a car crash were not wearing a seatbelt
• 31 percent of fatal car wrecks involved alcohol
• In 28 percent of fatal car crashes, the driver was speeding
• 6.1 million car crashes were reported to the police

Good news from an injury lawyer in Rapid City, SD!  The number of people dying in a car crash has been steadily declining.  From 2005 to 2013 there was a 25 percent decrease in the number of crash fatalities.  That means that car safety measures, the higher use of seatbelts and driver education have been helping to make the roads safer for everyone.

As an injury lawyer in Rapid City, SD, I recommend doing specific things to increase the likelihood of you remaining safe if you are in an accident, or avoiding one altogether.  First, it is necessary to follow the rules of the road.  Things like driving the speed limit, using your turn signals, using your lights from dusk on, and staying off the road after midnight, will all decrease the likelihood of you being in a car wreck and becoming seriously injured if you are.  You will also want to remember to wear your seatbelt and ensure that your passengers do as well.

During the holidays, it is more important to be diligent while driving.  Statistically, more people are in alcohol-related accidents during the holiday season.  With meetings and parties turning festive, people tend to drink more and earlier in the day.  The police simultaneously increase their patrols but, still, you need to practice defensive driving in order to stay safe.  Watch for any cars that are speeding up and slowing down, swerving in and out of lanes, stopping suddenly or driving erratically.  When you see them, slow down and stay far enough behind the vehicle to stop suddenly or to move out of the way if needed.  You may even want to get off the road and call 911 if there is no way to safely drive on the same road as them.  It is better to be late to wherever you are going than to be in a car wreck.

If, after being diligent, you are still in a wreck, speak with an injury lawyer in Rapid City, SD.

As injury lawyers in Rapid City SD, we work hard to help individuals and families receive quality legal representation.  If you have been a victim of another persons’ intentional, reckless, careless, or negligent actions, and you need help recovering the compensation and damages you are entitled to under the law, look no further, we are a skilled and experienced injury lawyers in Rapid City SD. At our law office, we sincerely understand that the effects of injuries on accident victims and their families can often be, to say the least, overwhelming. Our attorneys will guide you safely through the insurance claim and/or litigation process, and make sure that your best interests are represented at all times.

Personal injury insurance claims and personal injury law is complicated and, to a certain extent, confusing for most people, however, our experienced legal staff are equipped to handle any type of injury lawsuit.  Put our legal experience to work, and let us advocate on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery. It is especially important for you to consider consulting an experienced lawyer prior to accepting any offers made by the other party's insurance company since, generally, once you release the other party and their insurance company, you cannot later ask for additional money.

Protect Your Rights
Not only do we aggressively negotiate with responsible parties and their insurance companies, if necessary we don't hesitate to take a case to trial if the other party or their insurance company is unwilling to offer you a fair settlement.  We often rely upon our clients’ doctors, and other experts such as accident reconstructionists, engineers, vocational experts, life care planners, and economists to explain what happened and demonstrate what will be required to ensure that our clients' current and future financial and medical needs are met.

Financial Compensation 
Regardless of how you were injured, and whether the injury is mild, moderate, or severe, we will focus on seeking compensation for your past and future medical expenses, your past and future lost wages, and your loss of enjoyment of life and pain and suffering.

Often times, insurance companies challenge the damages you allege you have sustained and will attempt to avoid having to pay you what you believe you lost or were damaged. Keeping records in order from your accident is therefore very important, such as medical bills, lost wage information, receipts for other accident related expenses, and any other documentation linked to the incident.  We can help you with this process, and many of our clients actually have us obtain and organize their medical records and bills. One of our injury lawyers will also examine your insurance policy, to see exactly what coverage is available under your policy, and work with you in calculating the amount that it will take to reimburse you for all of the damages that you have incurred. Once we have reached a figure you are comfortable with, we will pursue it on your behalf with the negligent party's insurance company.  We make every effort to ensure that our clients recover the damages they have sustained.

Don't Hesitate
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, don't hesitate to call an injury lawyer in Rapid City SD to discuss your rights. We welcome your call and look forward to helping you understand how the law provides for compensating you for injuries caused by the negligence of others.