Need An Injury Lawyer After A DUI Accident in South Dakota?
When a person decides to drive drunk, they have just made an extremely poor choice which carries severe consequences. It is illegal in South Dakota to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08% or above. Like many states, South Dakota law provides that if you operate a vehicle in this state, you have already given your implied consent to submit to law enforcement tests for drugs or alcohol. Drivers who refuse such tests may face a license suspension of up to one year.
A first offense of drink while intoxicated carries minimum penalties of imprisonment from 30 days to a year, and a restricted license up to one year. Subsequent offenses can lead to increased prison time, a mandatory 24/7 sobriety program, and license revocations of up to three years.
How Will the Drunk Driver Be Held Accountable to You?
If you are a victim of a drunk driver’s criminal choices, you probably have new financial needs which you never expected. And these are needs which will likely not be addressed in any criminal proceeding against the drunk driver. To ensure you obtain the financial compensation you need, it is time to hire a personal injury attorney who specializes in accidents caused by drunk drivers.
Why You Need an Experienced Trial Attorney
The trial process is not for everyone – it’s not even for every lawyer. Certain attorneys have carved out great livelihoods for themselves in which they never see the inside of a courtroom.
But those attorneys are not for you, because you are now in a situation where you need an attorney who is prepared to fight in the ultimate legal forum – the trial. It matters whether your attorney is a trial attorney or not, including when dealing with the insurance company. First of all, personal injury attorneys have experience in dealing with insurance companies and their negotiation tactics. Second of all, personal injury attorneys carry even more clout with the insurance company if they are known as trial attorneys.
The insurance company knows it is much more likely to get away with offering a lower settlement to you if a trial counsel does not represent you. Because then it is the insurance company who could be controlling the case. You do not want to be in the position of taking a settlement which is far less than you deserve, all because your attorney can’t or won’t take your case to trial.
On the other hand, when your attorney has a reputation for being a trial lawyer, this commands respect, including from the insurance company. Trial attorneys can often demand higher settlements because the insurance company frequently does not want to go to trial. The insurance adjusters who denied your claim could easily see their initial payout rejected as the court overrules their decision.
So, choose an attorney from Need An Injury Lawyer South Dakota, where you will find many skilled and experienced lawyers who know how to recover the compensation you deserve. Please contact us today!