Rapid City Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Maximizing Your Compensation is Our Goal

According to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), there were 7,877 total crashes involving alcohol in South Dakota in 2021 alone, resulting in nearly 1,800 injuries and 51 fatalities.

There is no sense in letting a drunk driver off easy after they crash into you and cause you to suffer severe injuries. If you don’t file a claim against them, then they might not learn from their terrible mistake. By suing them for your damages, you can help ensure your financial future is stable while also help reduce the chances that they will hurt someone else in a future drunk driving accident.

When you need to seek justice and you can’t take any chances with an incomplete or unconvincing injury claim, come to Beardsley, Jensen & Lee in Rapid City. We are the legal team that people throughout South Dakota trust for complicated cases with make-or-break outcomes. We know that you need full compensation following your accident that was caused by a drunk driver. It is our top intent to fight for you until every last penny is secured in your name.

Call (605) 777-7466 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Proving the Other Driver was Intoxicated

The liability for your accident can be stacked on the other driver if they were intoxicated because there is no such thing as safe drunk driving. However, proving that they were drunk at the time of the collision can be tricky if you don’t know where to look for evidence. Thankfully, if you hire our drunk driving accident lawyers, then you won’t need to stress it. We already know a variety of useful evidence types, where to get them, and how to use them to your case’s advantage.

Evidence that we can use while building your case includes:

• Police reports: If the police intervened at the scene of your accident, then the reports that the responding officers created could be as good as gold for your case. Insurance companies, courts, and juries all give heavy weight to an officer’s words. If they say that the other driver was drunk and hit you, then they will likely believe them.
• Eyewitness testimony: Other drivers might have seen what happened more clearly from their outside angle. Let us know if anyone stopped to help you after the crash and if they gave you their contact information to use for testimonies later.
• BAC results: A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test can be administered when a driver is suspected of driving under the influence. Any result of 0.08 or greater is considered legally intoxicated. However, a driver can have a BAC level under 0.08 and still be too drunk to drive safely.
• Convictions: If a criminal court is convinced that the driver was drunk enough to warrant a DUI conviction, then it makes sense to argue that the driver owes you money for what they did. A conviction is not guaranteed in a DUI criminal case, of course, but this doesn’t necessarily hurt your case. Even if the drunk driver escaped conviction through a plea deal, for example, we could still find ways to use criminal evidence in your civil claim.

The Lifelong Impact of Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents can have a lasting impact on victims and their families. In addition to physical injuries, victims may suffer from emotional trauma, financial burdens, and a decreased quality of life. Our Rapid City drunk driving accident attorneys understand the long-term consequences of these accidents and are dedicated to seeking justice for our clients.

Some of the lifelong impacts of drunk driving accidents include:

• Chronic pain and disability
• Loss of income and earning potential
• Emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Long-term medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

If you or a loved one has been affected by a drunk driving accident, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.