Call the Rapid City, SD accident hotline 24/7 at (888) 577-5988 for a free, no obligation consultation. We are here to help. Call right now! We can answer any accident related questions!
As with any mid-sized city in the United States, Rapid City, South Dakota, is not free from accidents, lawsuits, and settlements. However, while some accidents can be easily resolved, others lead to long and complex litigation processes. In this article, we analyze the most noteworthy cases that have affected the city in recent years.
One of the most significant cases reported in Rapid City, SD, was in 2018 when a bus owned by Coca-Cola Bottling Company overturned on the I-90, leaving a teenage passenger paralyzed. The plaintiff argued that the company’s negligent maintenance of the vehicle led to the accident. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.
Another highlight case was Kelcey Lee v. State of South Dakota, in which the State was sued over the death of Lee’s husband, who was fatally shot by a State Game, Fish, and Parks (GF&P) Officer in 2019. According to Lee, the officer used excessive force, and the State was liable for failing to train its law enforcement appropriately. The case is currently ongoing, awaiting trial.
In another case, the Rapid City Police Department was sued in 2017, accused of violating a man’s rights during an arrest. The plaintiff argued that he suffered severe injuries and psychological damage from the ill-treatment he received. The city settled for a sum of $60,000, but the incident sparked a wider public debate about police brutality in the area.
Similarly, another incident in Rapid City sparked controversy when an off-duty police officer crashed his car while drunk and caused significant damage to a woman’s property. The officer later pled guilty to the charges, but the woman filed a lawsuit, alleging that the City of Rapid City and the officer’s employer, the Rapid City Police Department, violated her civil rights. The case is also ongoing.
More recently, in 2020, a child was badly injured when he fell from playground equipment in Rapid City. The boy’s family sued the manufacturer, arguing that they were negligent in designing and manufacturing the equipment without proper safety features. The lawsuit is still ongoing, and no settlement has been reached yet.
Overall, Rapid City, SD, has had its fair share of accidents and lawsuits over the years, with some leading to significant settlements and legal precedents. While some cases may be resolved quickly, others can take years of litigation and cause widespread public debate within the community. It is always advisable to seek legal counsel when involved in any accident or dispute to understand one’s rights and obligations.
