IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE [____] JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
[______] COUNTY, STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,
v. Civil No. __
[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.
COMPLAINT AND JURY DEMAND
[// GUIDANCE: Replace bracketed items with the appropriate information before filing. Verify the correct judicial circuit (e.g., “Fourth Judicial Circuit”) and county where venue is proper.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Parties
- Jurisdiction and Venue
- General Allegations (Background Facts)
- Cause of Action – Negligence
- Comparative Negligence Allegation
- Damages
- Prayer for Relief
- Jury Demand
- Verification
- Certificate of Service
1. PARTIES
1.1 Plaintiff. [PLAINTIFF NAME] (“Plaintiff”) is an individual and resident of [COUNTY], South Dakota, who at all relevant times was operating a motor vehicle lawfully on [ROAD/HIGHWAY].
1.2 Defendant. [DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”) is an individual and resident of [COUNTY/STATE] who may be served at [SERVICE ADDRESS] or wherever found.
[// GUIDANCE: If Defendant is an entity, revise accordingly and allege its state of organization and principal place of business.]
2. JURISDICTION AND VENUE
2.1 Subject-Matter Jurisdiction. This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under S.D. Const. art. V, § 5 and S.D. Codified Laws (“SDCL”) § 16-6-9 because the amount in controversy exceeds the jurisdictional minimum and the action involves a tort committed within the State of South Dakota.
2.2 Personal Jurisdiction. Defendant resides in, conducts business in, and/or committed the tortious acts complained of within the State of South Dakota, rendering the exercise of personal jurisdiction proper.
2.3 Venue. Venue is proper in this Court under SDCL § 15-5-2 because the cause of action arose in [______] County and/or Defendant resides here.
3. GENERAL ALLEGATIONS (BACKGROUND FACTS)
3.1 On or about [DATE], at approximately [TIME a.m./p.m.], Plaintiff was lawfully operating a [YEAR/MAKE/MODEL] (the “Plaintiff Vehicle”) in a [northbound/southbound/etc.] lane of [STREET/HIGHWAY] near [MILE MARKER/INTERSECTION], South Dakota (the “Accident Scene”).
3.2 At the same time and place, Defendant was operating a [YEAR/MAKE/MODEL] (the “Defendant Vehicle”) in the same vicinity.
3.3 Defendant negligently, recklessly, and carelessly operated the Defendant Vehicle by, inter alia:
(a) failing to keep a proper lookout;
(b) traveling at an unreasonable speed for conditions;
(c) failing to maintain proper control;
(d) [OTHER SPECIFIC ACTS OR OMISSIONS].
3.4 As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s negligence, the Defendant Vehicle collided with the Plaintiff Vehicle (the “Accident”).
3.5 Plaintiff suffered bodily injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages described herein.
4. CAUSE OF ACTION – NEGLIGENCE
4.1 Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as if fully set forth herein.
4.2 Defendant owed Plaintiff a duty of reasonable care in the operation of a motor vehicle on South Dakota roadways.
4.3 Defendant breached that duty through the acts and omissions set forth above.
4.4 Defendant’s breach was the direct and proximate cause of the Accident and Plaintiff’s injuries and damages.
4.5 Plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer special damages (including medical expenses and lost earnings) and general damages (including pain, suffering, and mental anguish) in an amount to be proved at trial.
5. COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE ALLEGATION
5.1 Pursuant to SDCL § 20-9-2, any contributory negligence attributable to Plaintiff, if any, was “slight” in comparison to the negligence of Defendant, which was “gross” and substantially greater.
5.2 To the extent Plaintiff is found to have been negligent, such negligence was less than slight, and Plaintiff is therefore not barred from recovery.
[// GUIDANCE: South Dakota follows a “slight-vs-gross” comparative negligence system. Plead defensively to preserve Plaintiff’s right to recover even if slight comparative negligence is alleged.]
6. DAMAGES
6.1 Economic Damages. Plaintiff seeks past and future medical expenses, property damage, loss of earnings, and loss of earning capacity estimated to exceed $[____].
6.2 Non-Economic Damages. Plaintiff seeks compensation for past and future pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages in an amount to be determined by the jury.
6.3 Punitive Damages. Should discovery reveal willful, wanton, or reckless conduct as defined by SDCL § 21-1-4.1, Plaintiff reserves the right to move the Court for leave to amend this Complaint to assert punitive damages, consistent with SDCL § 21-1-4.1 and related procedural requirements.
6.4 Damage Caps. Plaintiff is unaware of any statutory cap applicable to these claims, except as may apply to any governmental defendant or other statutorily limited defendant. Plaintiff reserves the right to seek the full measure of damages permitted by law.
7. PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant as follows:
A. For compensatory damages, both economic and non-economic, in an amount to be determined at trial;
B. For prejudgment and post-judgment interest as allowed by law;
C. For costs of suit herein incurred;
D. For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
8. JURY DEMAND
Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable as a matter of constitutional right.
9. VERIFICATION
I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of South Dakota that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
DATED: __, 20 __________
[PLAINTIFF NAME]
[// GUIDANCE: South Dakota permits unsworn verifications under SDCL § 15-6-11(b). If notarization is preferred, add jurat language.]
10. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on the ___ day of __, 20, I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing Complaint and Jury Demand upon:
[DEFENDANT/COUNSEL NAME & ADDRESS]
by [personal service / certified mail / electronic service pursuant to SDCL 15-6-5(b)].
[NAME], [TITLE]
SIGNATURE BLOCK
Respectfully submitted,
[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq.
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[BAR NUMBER]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Attorney for Plaintiff
[// GUIDANCE: Confirm compliance with South Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure, including signature requirements under SDCL § 15-6-11, and include any mandated alternative dispute resolution statements if required by local rule.]