Available 24/7Car accidents can occur on any Idaho roadway, from congested downtown streets to rural highways and high-speed interstates. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident in Idaho, you have a legal right to pursue damages from the responsible party.
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we understand the unique challenges you may face following a severe motor vehicle crash. Our Idaho personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and discuss your options during a free consultation. Contact our office today at (844) SARGENT for a free case review with a member of our team.
Damages You Could Seek Through an Idaho Auto Accident Case
Losses from an Idaho car accident are not limited to medical bills and car repairs. Idaho also lets you seek compensatory damages for many of the losses associated with your accident.
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we know your life may never be the same after an Idaho car crash. That’s why we push for fair financial compensation. To ensure a comprehensive monetary settlement, we may pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages You Can Seek in Idaho
Economic damages include tangible losses you can quantify using documentation like financial statements, pay stubs, bills, invoices, and estimates. Types of economic damages you could seek include:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Car repair and replacement
- Medical devices
Assistive equipment - Medication
- In-home nursing care
- Domestic assistance
Damages you can quantify vary depending on the extent of your injuries and how they affect your daily life. We understand that your injuries create unique challenges for you and your family. We aim to ensure you do not suffer financial hardship after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Idaho Victims May Recover Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include intangible losses such as pain and suffering and emotional anguish. Idaho Statutes § 6-1603 limits non-economic damages to $250,000. However, this cap may differ if your car accident resulted from someone’s willful, reckless, or criminal conduct.
Our car accident injury lawyers will comprehensively investigate and gather evidence to establish the full scope of your economic and non-economic damages. While nobody can guarantee a specific outcome, you can rest easy knowing we are working dutifully to achieve a fair result for your car accident claim.
Personal Advocacy for Your Idaho Car Accident Case
When you experience a severe car accident injury, you deserve legal representation from skilled attorneys who understand your challenges. At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we know a car accident can create uniquely personal challenges. To thoroughly address these challenges, we only accept a limited number of cases. With a selectively curated caseload, we can provide attentive, personalized legal representation from your initial consultation through the final settlement, judgment, or verdict.
We Fight for Appropriate Compensation
Injuries from a car accident are more than just physical. An Idaho car accident can have far-reaching financial implications that may be hard to predict. With extensive experience handling Idaho car accident claims, our legal team can help you determine a car collision’s current and future consequences.
We Provide Attentive Representation
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we believe communication is the key to building a solid attorney-client relationship. Our targeted approach to case selection allows us to focus on the details of your case without distractions. With Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, you can rest assured that your case will receive the care and attention it deserves.
See our client testimonials to learn how our personalized approach achieves positive results.
We Keep You in the Loop
We maintain open communication with you about your case. Your dedicated injury lawyer will advise you of changes as they occur. Our legal team also remains available to answer your questions and explain the legal process so you never have to wonder about your case status.
We Ensure Timely Legal Assistance When You Need It
The statute of limitations in Idaho is usually two years from the accident date per Idaho Statutes § 5-219. This timeline may vary based on your case details. If you fail to file within this time, you could lose your chance for a fair settlement. Our team can help you understand which legal time limits apply to your case and how best to proceed.
Idaho Car Accident Injuries Can Create Lifelong Complications
An Idaho motor vehicle accident can lead to severe injuries that can affect your physical, financial, and mental health for years to come. Common injuries in Idaho car accidents include:
- Soft tissue damage
- Whiplash
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Crushing injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Limb loss or amputation
- Burn injuries and road rash
- Scarring and disfigurement
Studies show that accident victims often suffer multiple injuries in car accidents due to the high forces involved. For example, you may suffer a broken arm as well as internal injuries. Depending on your injuries’ severity and extent, you may require surgical intervention, inpatient hospital treatment, and physical therapy.
Even minor injuries can mean months of expensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. When your injuries prevent you from working or performing daily activities, you may face unprecedented financial difficulties. The Idaho car accident attorneys at Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers have extensive knowledge of Idaho injury laws. Let us help you seek monetary recovery so you can focus on your and your family’s needs during this difficult time.
Tips to Protect Your Legal Rights After an Idaho Vehicle Collision
The aftermath of a car accident can be confusing and overwhelming. Take these steps to retain your legal right to fair compensation following an accident:
Stop Safely At the Accident Scene
Idaho Statutes § 49-1301 requires you to remain at the accident scene until an officer arrives. Safely pull to the side of the road as near as possible to the accident scene. Failure to stay at the location could be considered a hit-and-run, resulting in misdemeanor charges, license revocation, and other penalties.
Report the Accident
Idaho Statutes § 49-1305 requires you to report any accident in which injury, death, or property damage over $1,500 occurred. The crash report can also provide crucial evidence to support your car accident case.
Call 911 to report the accident and wait for them to arrive at the scene. The attending officer will prepare an accident report consistent with Idaho Statutes § 49-1307. If your injuries prevent you from reporting the accident, another passenger in your vehicle can submit a report instead.
Exchange Information
According to Idaho Statutes § 49-1302, all drivers involved in the collision must provide their names and addresses to each other. The police officer may facilitate this exchange of information. If possible, also provide your driver’s license, registration, and proof of vehicle insurance.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health and safety are the most important consideration after an Idaho car accident. If emergency services do not take you to the hospital, go to the emergency room or your primary care physician as soon as possible.
Medical records help prove your injuries, so attend all appointments and follow your doctor’s instructions regarding physical therapy, assistive devices, and treatment plans.
Document the Scene of the Accident
Take photos or video of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved. Pictures of the scene, damage, and final vehicle resting places can help your attorney reconstruct the accident and prove fault.
Report the Auto Accident to Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company to report the car crash and ensure appropriate coverage. Remember that your insurance company is motivated to pay as little as possible in settlements, so avoid making statements that could construe fault. Do not discuss your health or prior conditions; they may use such information to reduce your payout.
Consider Hiring an Idaho Car Accident Lawyer
If possible, you may want to contact a car accident attorney in Idaho as soon as possible after the accident. They can guide you through the process and help you avoid statements or situations that could compromise your personal injury claim.
Benefits of Working With a Skilled Car Accident Attorney in Idaho
Partnering with a car accident law firm familiar with Idaho accident cases ensures you have access to an advocate throughout your case. If we decide to take your case, our car accident lawyers in Idaho can:
- Gather evidence to prove your claim
- Create a case strategy tailored to your accident details
- Obtain witness statements and expert testimony
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel
- Respond to all calls and correspondence about your claim
- File a lawsuit against the responsible parties
We aim to hold the at-fault parties responsible for the injuries they caused through negligent, reckless, or careless behavior. You should not have to bear the brunt of financial difficulties caused by someone else’s lapse of judgment.
Determining Liability in an Idaho Car Accident Case
Most injury cases rely on proving negligence. Negligence occurs when another party acts without reasonable care. In car accidents, for example, drivers have a duty to drive safely, consistent with traffic laws. If they fail to do so and cause an accident, they can be liable for the resulting losses. To prove negligence in a car accident case, our injury lawyers will compile evidence to show:
- The at-fault party was negligent.
- Their negligent behavior caused the accident.
- You were injured because of their negligence.
- Your injuries caused you to suffer physical, mental, or financial losses.
Negligent Behaviors That Can Lead to Idaho Car Accidents
According to the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS), more than 20,000 motor vehicle crashes occur in Idaho annually. Of those, over 1,000 result in severe injuries, and approximately 200 are fatal. Car accidents are almost always preventable. Most car accidents occur due to errors or poor judgment on the part of a driver. Common causes of car accidents include:
Distracted Driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately nine people die daily in distracted driving accidents. Distractions that can lead to car accidents may include visual, manual, or cognitive distractions. Texting while driving is a common example of distracted driving that leads to accidents.
Driving While Intoxicated
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lead to inattention, delayed reaction time, and poor risk assessment. Impaired drivers account for approximately 40% of car accident fatalities in Idaho.
Aggressive Driving
Speeding is the most common form of aggressive driving that causes accidents. However, aggressive driving may also include tailgating, passing too closely, passing on the right, swerving, weaving, and flashing headlights. Aggressive driving contributes to nearly 100 deaths each year in Idaho alone.
Traffic Hazards
Hazardous conditions on Idaho roads, including construction and utility work, potholes, cracks, and debris, can lead to car accidents. Idaho Statutes § 49-1315 requires the investigating officer to complete a thorough report and investigation into any accidents due to road hazards that caused personal injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more.
Inclement Weather
While inclement weather can create hazardous conditions, accidents in poor weather often occur due to insufficient care on the part of the at-fault driver. For instance, drivers should slow down and take additional care when conditions are icy, rainy, snowy, or foggy. If drivers fail to operate their vehicles safely in inclement weather, they can still be accountable for accidents they cause.
No matter how your car accident occurred, the dedicated Idaho personal injury lawyers at Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers can examine your case and help you determine who is responsible.
Contact Our Skilled Car Accident Lawyers in Idaho For a Free Consultation
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding, attentive legal representation to clients across Idaho. Our personal injury law firm has successfully pursued more than $40 million in settlements, judgments, and verdicts for our injury clients. Allow us to use our knowledge and experience to support your legal claim.
Contact our Idaho car accident lawyers today at (844) SARGENT for a free case review. If we decide to work with you, we will notify the insurance company immediately so that you can focus on your injury recovery.
