Sioux Falls Truck Accident Lawyers Protecting Your Right To Compensation

Last updated on July 8, 2026

While large trucks are essential to the American economy, semis can be dangerous vehicles to share the road with. These enormous vehicles can weigh over 10,000 pounds and are 70 feet long. Their substantial size means that a driver’s mistake can lead to a devastating accident.

Since there are typically several parties involved in a truck accident, it is essential to have experienced legal support. Our Sioux Falls attorneys at HPS Law Firm have over 100 years of combined legal experience. They can offer skilled advocacy as you navigate your injury claim.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Truck Accidents?

Driving a large commercial vehicle is a difficult job. Often, truck drivers are overtired and spend many hours on the road. In addition to long hours, truck drivers face other hazards, such as:

• Improperly loaded or overloaded trucks
• Tight deadlines
• Distracting consoles
• Changing weather and road conditions

These factors can significantly impact a driver’s ability to react to changes in traffic or road conditions. Unfortunately, when a truck driver loses control of a semi, it can have a catastrophic impact on the surrounding vehicles.

Why Are Truck Accidents Complicated?

Unlike an accident with a car, a collision with a commercial vehicle involves more than the driver. In addition to the driver, there may be other people or entities involved in settling a personal injury claim with a commercial vehicle, such as:

• The insurance company for the truck company
• The trucking company
• The insurance company for the driver (if the driver has a separate policy)
• The truck manufacturer

Insurers and trucking companies can sometimes make these situations complex by passing blame for the accident. It is essential to have skilled representation so that you have the legal support you need.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Truck Accidents?

All trucking accidents, even minor ones, can do serious damage to other vehicles and cause catastrophic injuries to drivers and passengers. Some of the most common types of trucking accidents include:

• Jackknife accidents: These accidents are especially dangerous because the trailer swings into traffic, causing collisions with other vehicles and sometimes trapping smaller ones under the trailer.
• Head-on collisions: Truck drivers can hit other vehicles straight on if they are drowsy, distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Any of these issues can cause them to swerve into oncoming traffic.
• Rear-end accidents: When traffic slows or stops, and the truck driver cannot stop the truck, rear-end accidents occur. Given the size difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, it only takes a minor rear-end accident for other people to be seriously injured.
• Rollover accidents: If a truck driver has to swerve to avoid an object or if the cargo load shifts suddenly, the truck can tip over on its side or roof. Other causes of rollovers include icy road conditions, speeding and sharp turns.
• Sideswipe accidents: Swerving into other lanes can lead to trucks causing T-bone accidents or to running another vehicle off the road. Either situation may result in the other vehicle being crushed or rolling over.
• Brake malfunction accidents: Brake failure in commercial trucks can cause fatal accidents for other drivers and passengers on the road. The truck often goes out of control, colliding with other vehicles. Faulty brakes can be the result of driver negligence, manufacturing defects or lack of maintenance/replacement.
• Tire blowout accidents: When a truck’s tire ruptures, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. This is particularly dangerous when the truck is traveling at high speed.

These are not all of the kinds of trucking accidents. If your accident was caused by another factor, please contact us for a free consultation.

What To Do After A Truck Accident In Sioux Falls

Knowing what to do after a truck accident in Sioux Falls can make a significant difference in protecting your legal claim. So, immediately after a semi- truck accident in South Dakota: 

• Call 911 
• Document the accident scene by photographing 
• Seek medical care at facilities such as Sanford USD Medical Center or Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center.
• Notify your insurance company, but avoid giving recorded statements before speaking with an attorney.
• Consult our personal injury lawyer.

These Sioux Falls truck accident steps can help ensure you preserve evidence before it is altered. We can help you obtain and preserve ELD records, black box data and dash cam footage. 

Who Can Be Held Liable In A Sioux Falls Truck Accident?

Truck accident liability in South Dakota can be complex to determine. So, who is responsible after a truck accident in Sioux Falls? 

• The truck driver because of negligent actions
• The trucking company for negligent hiring
• Cargo loading company for improperly loaded cargo
• Maintenance contractors for negligent repairs
• Truck manufacturer for equipment failure 
• Truck parts manufacturer for faulty parts

Truck accident liability can involve multiple parties simultaneously. For example, if a truck driver causes an accident due to fatigue, and the trucking company had encouraged him to exceed federal hours-of-service, both the driver and the trucking company can be liable for the accident. 

Under South Dakota’s “slight/gross comparative negligence” rule, injured people may recover damages only if their own negligence is slight compared to the defendant’s negligence. Also, compensation is reduced based on their percentage of fault. 

What Compensation Can You Recover After A Truck Accident?

Many clients come to us with a similar question: “What damages can I recover in a South Dakota truck accident?” Truck accident compensation in Sioux Falls can cover economic damages (medical expenses, future care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity) and non-economic damages (physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). 

Severe injuries such as spinal cord damage and TBI increase the claim value because of their lifelong impact. Settlements can be influenced by factors such as the clarity of liability, insurance coverage and the severity of injuries. Also, South Dakota does not impose statutory caps; injured victims can seek the full value of their losses.

In the case of a wrongful death, surviving family members can recover damages, including funeral expenses. 

Talk To A Sioux Falls Truck Accident Lawyer Today

After an accident with a semi, getting support from one of our skilled attorneys, who will understand your case, is essential. To schedule a consultation at our Sioux Falls office, fill out the online contact form or call us at 605-252-9277.