Question 1

What should I do first after being in an accident with a Semi-Truck in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

When someone is injured in an accident in Idaho, it is important to gather information about what happens next.
Being injured in a serious accident is always a shocking and scary experience, and dealing with the aftermath is exhausting and stressful. Accident victims are forced to deal with hospitalization, medical treatments, missed work, and lost income, often while trying to manage pain and disability from their injuries.
Your first priority after an accident is receiving medical care. Not only are the damages from Semi-Truck accidents usually incredibly severe, but you may not even be aware of how badly you are hurt due to the shock of the accident. If you are in good enough condition to do so, taking photographs of the scene and exchanging contact information with any other drivers involved can be helpful for supporting your claim later. It is important not to discuss who might be at fault for the accident at that time, as it may complicate your claim later.

Question 2

Do Semi-Truck Accident cases often go to trial in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

These days, most personal injury cases, including truck accident cases, that result in a lawsuit do not go to trial. In fact, 90 percent of cases typically settle before a trial occurs. 
Due to the multiple layers of liability that can be involved in a trucking accident, and the stringent requirements for records involved with large trucks can lead to exhaustive investigations that make going to court unnecessary.
Companies that employ Semi-Truck drivers are usually under strict State and Federal regulations, and when faced with an experienced Truck Accident Attorney who knows the laws surrounding these kinds of scenarios will often choose to settle rather than risk the accident going to court.

Question 3

What kind of damages are usually involved in a Semi-Truck Accident?

Accepted Answer

Damages in trucking accidents tend to be fairly similar to other types of vehicle accidents, but much larger in scale. Some of the damages that are involved include:

Medical costs, including predicted future costs
Lost wages for the time you were unable to work due to your injuries
Damage to property, such as if your vehicle was totaled or other property was damaged.
Pain and suffering; Both physical suffering from your injuries and lost quality of life from things you’re unable to do because of them.
Wrongful Death. The loss of a loved one in a Semi-Truck related accident can be tragic.

While there are other types of damages that may be involved, these are some of the most common. For the specific details of your case, you can learn more by reaching out to a Personal Injury Attorney for a free consultation.

Question 4

How long do I have to make a claim after a Semi-Truck Accident in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

After you’re involved in an accident in the State of Idaho, the period of time you have to file a lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. This is called the Statute of Limitations. The Statute of Limitations is just the time limit for officially filing a suit, and not the time for a case to completely resolve. 
This is relevant for you because it is an indication of how long you have to negotiate with the other party to reach a settlement before you’ll have to make the decision to either take the issue to court  Sometimes, an insurance company will stall and continually lowball you in order to push you out of this time limit, and an experienced Truck Accident Attorney will be able to help you deal with this hazard so you can focus on your recovery while we help you get the compensation you deserve.

Question 5

Why is a Truck Accident more dangerous than a normal Car Accident?

Accepted Answer

Trucks need more time to stop, a fully loaded tractor-trailer weighing 80,000 pounds traveling under ideal conditions at a speed of 65 miles per hour will take 525 feet to stop (almost the length of two football fields). Because of the sheer size and momentum of these vehicles, when they are involved in an accident the damages tend to be considerably greater than with ordinary vehicles.
Did you know that about every 15 minutes, a person is killed or seriously injured in an accident caused by tractor-trailers, also called 18-wheelers or big rigs, or semi-trucks? In fact, around 500,000 trucking accidents occur each year in the United States, with about 5,000 per year resulting in death.

Question 6

How does Liability work with Semi-Truck Accidents in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

Unlike with everyday passenger vehicles, large trucks are often covered by commercial, rather than personal, insurance. There are several reasons for this, including

The size and handling of the vehicle leading to more severe accidents
Semi-trucks being regulated under both State and Federal law
Semi-trucks often being the property of businesses, rather than personal vehicles

Because of these factors, liability with Semi-Truck Accidents can often be more complicated than accidents involving regular passenger vehicles.
For example, the company may be partially liable if they knowingly failed to maintain sufficient regular maintenance on the truck, or forced the driver to drive an inappropriate number of hours or with an overloaded truck. The driver may be liable for their own driving errors, or for other unsafe behavior. The company involved in the maintenance and repair of the truck may be partially liable for failure to make sure that the truck was in proper working condition if the accident was caused by a mechanical failure.
Investigating the accident and discovering these details can be nearly impossible without professional help, which is why finding a reputable and experienced Semi-Truck Accident Attorney as soon as possible after your accident is an important step in successfully navigating your case and receiving the compensation you deserve.

Question 7

If my case is successful, will my personal injury compensation be taxed in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

This is actually a somewhat complex question. In a personal injury claim, there are typically several different kinds of damages involved, and some of them are taxable and some are not. Some types of damages that aren’t typically taxable include

Your medical bills, assuming deductions weren’t taken previously
Emotional distress / Pain and suffering
Damages directly related to your injuries,
Loss/damage of personal property

While some of the damages that are common, but are taxable might include:

Lost wages, as they would have been taxed anyway
Punitive damages, if applicable

The specifics of your case can vary considerably, and these are just general guidelines. An experienced Semi-Truck Accident Attorney or your accountant will be better able to help you go over the details of your case to consider which parts of your compensation need to be considered with your taxes.

Question 8

What are common injuries associated with Semi-Truck Accidents?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, due to the sheer size of Semi-Trucks, accidents involving them tend to lead to injuries both for the Truck Driver and anyone else who might be involved in or near the accident &#8211; whether that be other drivers or pedestrians. Some of the common types of injuries include

Whiplash-induced head, neck, and back injuries. These may not be immediately obvious but have long-term effects.
Broken bones from the impact of the collision 
Burn injuries from a fire started from the other vehicle or from the contents of the Semi-Truck’s cargo.
Lacerations and cuts from broken glass or metal
Paralysis from spinal injuries.
Chronic pain and headaches
Other types of soft-tissue injuries

Because many of these injuries are quite serious, and some of them are the type that only becomes obvious after the fact, it is extremely important to make sure that you receive medical attention as soon as possible after your accident. The last thing you want is for your injuries to get worse because you weren’t aware of them, and having no record of seeking medical attention after your accident will make it harder to build your claim that your injuries stemmed from the accident.

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