If you or someone you know has ever gotten into a car accident in South Dakota, you know how inconvenient it can be. You have to file a claim and deal with your car insurance company. You probably will have to take your vehicle to a shop for repairs. If so, you will have to figure out how to get around while you wait for your car to be fixed.
Those are just car accident-related time inconveniences. If you were to get injured in a car accident in South Dakota, you have a new set of problems. There’s not only potential physical pain to deal with, but your financial situation could suffer as well. You may have to pay for medical expenses such as doctor visits and if you’re paid hourly, you could lose income if you’re too injured to work.
The good news is a financial settlement could help cover these expenses if you’re ever injured in a car accident in South Dakota. The bad news is there’s no guarantee that you will receive that settlement immediately—which is when you probably need it the most.
A pre-settlement advance could solve your money issues much faster. This type of funding, which is also sometimes called a “lawsuit loan”, can help pay for car accident-related expenses such as medical bills, car repairs and lost income if you can’t work.
If you were injured in a car accident in South Dakota and need money right away, consider getting a pre-settlement advance. It can help keep you financially afloat while you wait for your full settlement.
To learn more, please visit Bridgeway’s Guide To Pre-settlement Advances.
What is a pre-settlement advance?
Pre-settlement funding is a cash advance against your pending car accident claim or lawsuit. It’s often called a “lawsuit loan” too, but that term is incorrect because pre-settlement funding is a non-recourse advance, not a loan. In other words, you don’t have to pay the money back if you don’t win your case.
As a South Dakota driver, it’s beneficial to know what financial options you have after an accident—especially if you have suffered an injury. While you may believe you’re a careful driver, how others operate their vehicle is out of your control — car accidents do happen.
For example, there were more than 18,000 car accidents in South Dakota in 2023 and almost 5,000 of those crashes resulted in an injury. That means more than 25% of South Dakota car accidents left at least one person injured. Plus with more than 900,000 registered vehicles in the state, the odds are good you could wind up in an accident at some point, even if you’re a safe driver.
We hope that you’re never in a car accident, and if you are that you don’t get injured. In the event that an incident occurs however, Bridgeway Legal Funding is here to help you resolve the financial issues that may result from the crash.
If you win a settlement after being in a car accident in South Dakota, it could be three years, yes, years, before you see any money.
Bridgeway Legal Funding can help you get your money in a matter of days, however. Not only can you get your money faster, but you can receive what your case is truly worth. A pre-settlement advance can protect you from accepting an offer that’s much less than your case’s value. These advances can also help even the playing field against large car insurance companies that have virtually unlimited resources.
Want to get your pre-settlement advance as quickly as possible? Keep reading to learn how Bridgeway Legal Funding’s process works.
We help our clients access pre-settlement funding in three simple steps:
• Have a brief conversation with the plaintiff (you)
• Review your case and determine what we think it will be worth
• Offer you an advance of up to 10 to 20% of what your case’s estimated value
That’s it! Click here to learn more about our pre-settlement funding process and apply.
Can I really get a pre-settlement advance in a few days?
Yes. Getting funds to you quickly is one of the biggest benefits you can get when you work with Bridgeway Legal Funding. We are set up to provide clients with cash within 24 to 48 hours. The process begins by calling (800) 531-4066 or filling out our questionnaire.
How much can I borrow with a pre-settlement advance?
We typically will advance our clients up 10 to 20% of their case’s value. We base the case’s value on three key factors:
• Liability—Whose fault was the accident? If another driver rear ended your vehicle for example, they would be considered liable for any damages.
• Damages—How much money will be awarded following the accident based on injuries and lost wages? Some of the factors calculated to determine total damages include:
• Medical expenses and treatments (current and future)
• Lost wages (determined by how much work you missed times your current wage)
• Future work status (can you still work at all and/or perform your pre-accident duties)
• Insurance—You can typically use the amount of insurance coverage available at the time of the accident. Drivers are required to carry at least the following amount of car insurance in South Dakota:
• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Remember, these are minimum car insurance requirements for South Dakota drivers. Chances are the person you get into an accident with has additional coverage.
Click here to learn more about how much funding you can get for your pre-settlement advance.
How can I get the most out of my pre-settlement advance?
Bridgeway Legal Funding will do everything we can to help you get the most amount of pre-settlement funding possible. Here are a few things you can do as well to help yourself in the process:
• Hire an attorney that specializes in motor vehicle accidents
• Keep good records of your car accident, medical treatment(s) and injury/injuries
• Request a copy of the police report for your records
Don’t wait to file your car accident lawsuit. In South Dakota the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident.