Sioux Falls Fatal Accident Attorneys

If another driver’s negligence has resulted in the death of your loved one, it is important that you seek the advice of an experienced wrongful death attorney. You and your loved ones have the right to receive full justice for the losses you have experienced, and the assistance of an attorney can help to ensure a favorable outcome.

At Hoy Law, we represent spouses, children and other family members in wrongful death claims. From our office in Sioux Falls, we handle fatal car accident cases throughout South Dakota.

We know that there is no amount of money that could ever fill the void left by the loss of your loved one. While we can’t ease your sorrow, we can help you find justice with a fair settlement.

Many of the clients we talk to are unaware of their rights under the law in wrongful death cases. We take the time to gain a complete understanding of the contributions that your loved one made to your family and explain the various benefits available to compensate for them. We prepare detailed documentation explaining our settlement proposal to the insurance company.

If a fair settlement cannot be negotiated, we will take the matter to trial.

Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, it may be appropriate to seek compensation for the following considerations:

In addition to compensatory damages, a court may also impose punitive damages. Punitive damages follow a person’s reckless behavior or grossly negligent actions that resulted in a death. These damages serve to punish the offending party and discourage others from similar behavior. We review every case for punitive damages and diligently pursue them when appropriate.

A wrongful death claim is one of the only ways you may have to recover anything after such a loss. At Hoy Law, we offer thoughtful, caring representation for families across South Dakota that have lost someone. We treat our clients like family, with care and respect. We take the time to speak with you and answer any questions you have, such as those below.

South Dakota law limits the possible plaintiffs in a wrongful death lawsuit to close family members of the deceased. This includes:

However, these people may not bring a lawsuit directly. The wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by a “personal representative” of the deceased’s estate.

In most cases, you have up to three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in the state of South Dakota. To be more specific, it is three years from the date of the death. Three years feels like ample time, but it can pass faster than you imagine.

There are primarily two types of damages awarded in any kind of negligence claim, and wrongful death claims are not different. The two types of damages are:

While the wrongful death process requires many steps, it’s hard to know what to do in the immediate aftermath of a loss. That’s why turning to an attorney is an important step. A skilled wrongful death attorney can educate you on your rights and the steps that you need to take. South Dakota’s wrongful death laws are complex, but you can get your deserved compensation.

If your loved one was killed in a car wreck, we will be there to support you through this difficult time. While we can’t ease your sorrow, we can help you find justice.

Contact our office for a free consultation. You can reach us by phone at 605-231-8567 or via email.