Car accidents in Idaho occur for numerous reasons. A person may drive while impaired and drift out of their lane, causing an accident with one or more cars. Another driver may become distracted by a text or call coming in on their mobile phone and lose sight of the road and the other vehicles around them.
In Idaho, accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and more cause serious personal injuries and even deaths. Anyone who has suffered through an auto accident knows about hefty medical bills from personal injuries. These bills can put a person in debt for many years, even after receiving a small insurance payment from an auto accident claim.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a car accident, you might want to reach out to an Idaho car accident lawyer to help determine your legal options in the accident’s aftermath. A car accident attorney from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you navigate the effects of a serious car crash. We will work with you to explore legal options in recovering financial compensation from any at-fault parties. Contact our team for a free case review at (800) 794-0444.
Nature of Car Accidents
Not all car accidents are created equally. You can resolve some minor fender-bender accidents through mutual exchange of insurance claims. However, with more severe auto accidents in Idaho that involve cars or trucks, it might benefit you to use the services of a personal injury lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to handle your car accident case.
Litigating a car crash lawsuit today can be a complicated process. Our law firm has worked on hundreds of car accident cases. We can contact medical experts to provide estimates about how much money you might spend on future expenses from injuries suffered in a severe car crash. We may work with experts to determine the impact of lost wages because of your injuries.
You might not want to agree to a low settlement amount offered by an insurer before contacting an Idaho car accident lawyer. Our law firm can review the offer and help you negotiate with the insurance company to receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
New Ban on Mobile Phone Use
State officials in Idaho hope that drivers around the state focus more on the road while behind the wheel. The legislature enacted Idaho Code § 49-1401A that went into effect on July 1, 2020, which bans drivers from touching, holding, or using a mobile phone device in the car. Drivers can use their phones in the car only when parked and off the roadway.
Police will give drivers a six-month grace period and only issue warnings to drivers through Dec. 31, 2020. Starting Jan. 1, 2021, police can issue $75 fines for the first offense and $150 for a second offense within three years.
The ban on phone usage aims to reduce car accident deaths in the state. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety reported 215 fatal crashes that claimed 234 lives in 2018.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Reasons for Car Accidents
Car accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Dangerous driving often leads to accidents. If you have suffered personal injuries from a car accident in Idaho, you can contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to review your case.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding and driving recklessly over the speed limit cause many accidents and contributes to many traffic deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that more than 9,000 people died in speeding-related crashes in 2018. Speeding combined with reckless driving endangers other drivers on the road, resulting in more car accidents. The Office of Highway Safety reported that aggressive driving contributed to half of the motor vehicle crashes statewide.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents and traffic fatalities in the state, which was one key reason why the legislature passed the new ban on Idaho drivers’ mobile device usage. State statistics show that distracted driving contributed to one in five crashes in Idaho in 2018, with 48 people killed in distracted driving auto accidents.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causes a significant number of car accidents throughout the state. One-third of all traffic fatalities in Idaho resulted from impaired driving. The state estimated the total economic cost of impaired driving accidents at nearly $1 billion.
Car Accident Evidence for a Lawsuit
For a successful lawsuit against an at-fault driver or their insurance company, the evidence must support the claim that the other driver caused the accident. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident with serious personal injuries, you could help an Idaho car accident lawyer by assessing the scene afterward for evidence. Here are some examples of evidence you will need to bolster your compensation claim:
- Accident details: Information on how the cars collided is vital in a successful lawsuit. From which direction did the at-fault driver arrive? What part of the vehicles collided?
- Location details: The police report will include information on the accident, including the street name, but our team will want to know the situation at the location. Was the street clear or full of cars? Were there any barriers (like traffic cones) at the intersection? Were the traffic lights working?
- Weather and safety details: Did weather conditions like fog, rain, or ice contribute to the crash? What were the conditions of the streets?
Once you have collected evidence, you need to substantiate the injuries and damage you suffered that you want to recover from the at-fault driver. Compensation can include awards for medical bills to treat your injuries, repair bills to fix your car, pay stubs that show how much you would have earned if you had not missed work to recuperate from the accident, and payment for the pain and suffering you experienced.
Click to contact our lawyers today
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
With over 30 years of experience negotiating car accident claims with insurance companies, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you determine a fair settlement for your damages. Contact our team today at (800) 794-0444 for a free case review and learn how our Idaho car accident lawyers can support you in your fight for compensation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form