Auto Accident Injury in Nampa, ID
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Nampa? 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 and around Nampa, ID that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Nampa, 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, Nampa has one of the highest crash rates in the state. There are over 1,900 crashes per year in Nampa. Statewide, aggressive driving contributed to 50% of the crashes that occurred. In addition, 44% of all fatalities were the result of impaired driving. The Nampa Police Department runs the Selective Traffic Enforcement Patrol (STEP) team to try to reduce the number of injuries on Nampa’s roadways. The STEP team is involved in many safety-enhancing programs in the community, as well as traffic enforcement. For example, the STEP team enforces the “click it don’t risk it” seatbelt campaign.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
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
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.
Under Idaho Statutes, you cannot leave the scene of a car accident in Nampa that causes injuries or deaths. Instead, you must call the police immediately. In addition, you must also call the police if there is at least $1,500 in property damage from the crash. You may request a crash report in person or online from the Nampa Police Department.
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 Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) reported that the total estimated economic cost of traffic crashes in 2019 was over $4 billion. According to OHS, this translates into $2,295 for every person in the state. The Centers for Disease Control reported that the cost of missed work due to car crashes was $349 million in 2020. As well, medical costs due to crashes in Idaho came in at approximately $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 Nampa
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. In Idaho, insurance companies operate under a fault system. This means the at-fault driver’s insurance company generally pays the damages. Consequently, all Nampa drivers must carry liability insurance. Additionally, Idaho courts apply a modified comparative negligence standard in a lawsuit. This means you can still recover damages if you were partially at fault. However, the courts reduce your damages by your level of fault. Be aware, if you are 50% or more at fault, you can no longer collect damages.
Statute of Limitations in Nampa
Each state has its 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. In Idaho, the statute of limitations for auto accident injury claims is 2 years. If you live in Nampa, this means you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file suit. However, you can file a claim for damage to personal property for up to 3 years from 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 Near Nampa, ID
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. We can even help you connect with legal help across Idaho state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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