Spearfish Personal Injury Blog

Many South Dakota families have laid loved ones to rest. If an elderly person passes away of natural causes, you no doubt feel sorrow in saying goodbye to your beloved family member. However, it's an entirely different type of grief than you might experience if you lose a loved one in a fatal motor vehicle collision. Even if your family member survived the initial impact of the crash, if he or she later dies, you may have a difficult time coping with the shock and grief that hits you.

Maybe you were traveling in the same car as your loved one and struggle with thoughts about why you survived, but he or she did not. Then again, you might have been miles away from your loved one at the time of the accident but still feel like you should have been able to do something to prevent it. Others who have experienced similar loss have been better able to cope by putting certain ideas into practice. Knowing where to seek support is a key factor.

There is no escape from the cold winter weather in South Dakota, except for the comfort provided by heating equipment. If you are a homeowner or if you rent an apartment or home, you would be wise to heed the warnings issued by the National Fire Protection Association. It reminds everybody of the dangers associated with space heaters, fireplaces and wood burning stoves.

NFPA says misuse of heating equipment causes most of the residential fire fatalities nationwide, with the majority occurring from December through February. Further reports indicate that most such fires originated from circumstances that involved flammable objects dangerously close to equipment that provides heat. You might not even realize the risks when you place bedding, blankets, clothing or upholstered furniture near heat sources.

Losing a loved one in an accident is a traumatic event. There is nothing that can prepare you for the difficulties of navigating the aftermath of a fatal accident, including the financial losses that often accompany this kind of event. South Dakota families often experience devastation in many areas of their lives and are unsure of how to move forward. 

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one after a fatal accident or other type of personal injury incident, you could be entitled to damages through a civil claim. This will allow your family to recoup certain losses and move forward. These types of claims, however, are time-sensitive, and it is in your interests to move quickly to learn more about how this specific option can benefit your family.

You already know that drunk driving is dangerous. South Dakota drivers who get behind the wheel while intoxicated usually face steep criminal penalties for their actions, but did you know that other drivers could be just as dangerous? Drowsy drivers are often just as likely to cause a serious accident as someone who is drunk.

This problem is widespread and largely unnoticed. Unlike drinking and driving, you may not associate being sleepy with also being dangerous. After all, most people would take the keys away from an intoxicated friend. But a sleepy friend? Maybe not.