Auto Accident Injury in Idaho

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Idaho? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in ID that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Idaho

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. According to the Idaho Transportation Department, the number of car accidents on Idaho roads in 2017 was 25,851. Total accidents, however, decreased to 24,031 in 2018. This represents a 7% reduction in car crashes.

Fatalities between 2017 and 2018 decreased as well from 245 to 234. Serious injuries, on the other hand, rose slightly. In 2017, the number of people seriously injured was 1,246. In 2018, 1,250 people were injured. Accidents that resulted in property damage only decreased between the two years from 16,809 to 14,733.

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

If you are involved in a car crash that results in death or personal injury, you are required to notify the police immediately. The same holds true when an accident leads to $1,500 or more in property damage. If the crash occurs outside of city limits, the county sheriff or state police must be notified.

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

  • Full name, address, phone number and email address
  • Driver’s license state and number
  • Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

  • Burn injuries
  • Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
  • Brain and head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries

The total cost for auto accidents in Idaho in 2018 was $351 million. Medical costs accounted for $2 million and lost work made up for the remaining $349 million. Vehicle passenger fatalities resulted in a $261 million loss. Motorcyclist deaths led to a loss of $60 million, while pedestrian fatalities cost a total of $29 million. Car accidents that led to bicycle rider fatalities cost $2 million.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Idaho

Liability Laws for ID

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. Like a majority of other states, Idaho has enacted a comparative negligence statute for determining fault in auto accidents. This means that all parties involved in an accident can be determined partially at fault. Damages are awarded based on the degree of fault allocated to each driver.

Statute of Limitations in ID

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Idaho’s regulations require you to file a personal injury claim for a car crash within a two-year period following the date of the accident. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Idaho

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in ID!

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