Injured During the 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally? What Riders Need to Know

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws hundreds of thousands of bikers to the Black Hills each August. In 2025, the Rally brought in even more visitors, filling highways and city streets across western South Dakota. While the event celebrates motorcycle culture, unfortunately it also brings a sharp increase in crashes, many resulting in serious injury.

If you’re hurt in a motorcycle accident during the Rally, whether you’re a local rider or visiting from out of state, it’s important to understand your legal rights and next steps. Reach out to Thomas Braun Bernard & Burke, LLP today to discuss your legal options.

Motorcycle Accidents Are Common During the Sturgis Rally

Motorcycle crashes spike during Rally week. According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, rally-related injuries and fatalities occur every year. The causes vary, but most fall into a few common patterns:

Drivers failing to see motorcyclists
Speeding and unsafe lane changes
Drunk or distracted driving
Riders unfamiliar with the roads
Poor visibility or road conditions

The mix of heavy traffic, winding roads, and distracted drivers creates real risk. Even the most careful rider is vulnerable when others are not paying attention.

Common Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes

Unlike drivers in cars, motorcyclists have little protection in a crash. Even with a helmet and proper gear, injuries are often severe. Some of the most common include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Back/spinal cord injuries
Fractures and broken ribs
Road rash and skin abrasions
Internal bleeding
Shoulder, knee, and hip trauma

These injuries often require emergency care, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation. Medical bills can climb quickly, and many riders are unable to work–and therefore lose income–while recovering.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in South Dakota

If you’re involved in a motorcycle crash during the Rally, stay calm and follow these steps:

Call 911 and report the crash.
Get medical care and/or checked out by a doctor, even if injuries may seem minor at first.
If you are able to do so safely, document the scene by taking photos of vehicles, damage, road conditions, and injuries.
Exchange information with the other driver, including insurance details and license plate numbers.
Speak to witnesses and get their contact information.
Avoid discussing fault at the scene.
Call a local attorney who has handled motorcycle injury claims before.

Even if you’re from out of state, you’ll want to speak with someone familiar with South Dakota’s traffic laws, unique negligence laws, and court system. At Thomas Braun Bernard & Burke, LLP our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases throughout South Dakota.

South Dakota Motorcycle Accident Laws

South Dakota’s comparative negligence rule is different from other states. In South Dakota, if you contributed to the accident, the question is whether your negligence was more than “slight” when compared to the negligence of the other party. If your negligence was more than “slight,” you may not recover any damages from the other party–even if he/she was mainly at fault.

However, if your negligence was “slight” or less than “slight” when compared with the fault of the other party, you can still recover, but your damages will be reduced in proportion to the amount of your contributory negligence. This system differs from standard comparative negligence models, where the injured party’s damages are simply reduced based on his/her portion of fault.

Due to South Dakota’s unique–and sometimes harsh–rule, it is important to talk with an an attorney that is experienced with South Dakota negligence rule and knows how to gather the facts necessary to prove that you were not at fault for the accident–or at least that any fault on your part was less than slight when compared with what the other party did wrong.

Why You Need Legal Help After a Rally Crash

Accidents during the Sturgis Rally often involve out-of-state drivers, uninsured or underinsured motorists, and disputes about fault. Insurance companies move quickly to protect their own interests. Without a lawyer, it’s easy to make mistakes that harm your claim. An experienced personal injury attorney can:

Investigate the crash and ensure that evidence is preserved
Work with accident reconstruction experts and other experts
Handle communications with the other party’s insurance company, your insurance company, and the various medical providers
Fight for full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering

Choosing a local firm, like Thomas Braun Bernard & Burke, LLP, means working with someone who knows the area and the unique issues that come up during Rally week.

FAQs About Motorcycle Accidents During the Sturgis Rally

What if I was visiting South Dakota for the Sturgis Rally, but living in another state?

You can still bring a claim in South Dakota. A local lawyer can represent you and handle the legal process while you recover at home.

Do I need an accident/police report?

An accident report is not required to pursue a personal injury claim; however, it often provides important evidence, including witness statements, diagrams, and an initial assessment of fault. Always call law enforcement after a crash, no matter how minor it may seem.

What if the other driver left the scene?

If the other driver fled, you may still have options through uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy. An attorney can help you explore all possible sources of compensation.

Will wearing or not wearing a helmet affect my case?

South Dakota does not require adult riders to wear helmets. However, if you are not wearing a helmet and sustain a head injury, the insurance company may nevertheless try to argue that a helmet might have prevented your injury or perhaps lessened your injury. For that reason, it is important to hire an attorney that is familiar with such tactics and prepared to argue that the lack of a helmet should not be considered.

How much is my motorcycle injury case worth?

Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on a host of considerations, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, your time away from work, and whether you have lasting impairments. A lawyer can give you a better estimate after reviewing the facts.

Injured During the 2025 Sturgis Rally? Know Your Rights

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a major event for South Dakota, but it also leads to more crashes and serious injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident during the Rally, whether you’re a local rider or traveling through the Black Hills, take the time to protect your health and your legal rights. Our dedicated motorcycle attorneys at Thomas Braun Bernard & Burke, LLP are here to help. Contact our Rapid City office to speak with us today.

Sturgis: Sharing The Road With Hundreds of Thousands of Bikers

As a biker, you probably wait all year for August to come around so that you can get to Sturgis. Whether you have a new bike or fresh ink to show off, you likely look forward to rolling into town for a party unlike no other.

Most of the motorcyclists at the Rally come from other states for the experience – whether it be the satisfaction of the journey, meeting hundreds of other bikers, checking out other bikes, sightseeing, attending concerts, playing poker or having a few drinks. While your goal is to have a good time during your visit to South Dakota, you should also focus on doing so safely, so you can return next year.

Three ways you can increase your safety during a motorcycle rally.

Bikers have a reputation for being adventurous and carefree. No matter how you spend your time the rest of the year, you might feel like that describes you perfectly. However, no matter how badly you might want to be bold and daring while you are in Sturgis, you should understand and abide by the laws designed to ensure your safety during your ride.

Naturally, you should never ride if you are under the influence. Aside from being against the law, you likely agree that it is clearly unsafe and that it is not worth risking your or someone else’s life, especially during a time designated to embrace the biker lifestyle.

Some of the other ways you can protect yourself from injury during the Rally include:

Light it up. Your headlight, that is. Your bike must have at least one headlamp (but no more than two). If you want, you can use a modulating headlight during daytime hours.
Wear a helmet. You already know the dangers associated with letting the wind flow freely through your hair. While a helmet is not legally required for riders age 18 and over, it is still in your best interest to wear one. The proper use of a helmet could be instrumental in saving your life – or dramatically lessening your injuries – during a crash.
Stay in your lane. Regardless of how many bikes you share the road with, or whose is faster, you must exercise caution. Riding more than two abreast in a single lane is not only against the law, but could result in severe injuries to yourself and others.

No matter how you choose to spend your time at the Rally, being aware of the potential dangers around you could help keep you coming back for more in the years to come.

Unfortunately, in some cases, you could suffer injuries despite your efforts to protect yourself. But, if another biker’s negligence causes you harm, you have the right to hold him/her accountable.