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
Auto accidents are a serious concern in Idaho, with significant numbers reported annually. The crashes recorded in 2022 numbered 26,061, leading to 215 deaths and 8,560 injuries. Distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving were major contributing factors to these incidents. This has resulted in a slight decrease in fatal crashes from previous years. Still, the risk is very high, especially in rural areas where most fatal crashes take place.
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 reports. 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 has been as high as $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.
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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