Welcome to Attorneys of Idaho - Your Trusted Car Accident Attorneys
At Attorneys of Idaho, we recognize the significant impact that car accidents can have on individuals and their families. With years of experience and a proven track record, our dedicated team of auto accident attorneys is committed to guiding you through the legal process, protecting your rights, and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Whether you are dealing with personal injuries, insurance disputes, or the aftermath of a serious collision, we are here to provide expert legal support every step of the way.
Understanding Auto Accidents in Idaho
Auto accidents are a prevalent issue in Idaho, with thousands of incidents occurring annually. These accidents can lead to life-altering injuries, extensive property damage, and emotional trauma. Understanding the various aspects of auto accidents can help you navigate your legal journey more effectively.
Common Types of Auto Accidents
- Head-on Collisions: These are among the most dangerous types of accidents, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities due to the high impact forces involved.
- Rear-end Collisions: Typically occur in stop-and-go traffic situations, leading to neck injuries such as whiplash.
- Side-impact (T-bone) Collisions: Usually happen at intersections and can cause significant injuries due to the lack of protection on the sides of vehicles.
- Rollover Accidents: Though less common, rollovers can be deadly, especially for larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks.
- Sideswipe Accidents: Often occur when drivers change lanes without checking their blind spots, leading to potential loss of control and further collisions.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Happen when drivers fail to notice another vehicle in their blind spot while changing lanes.
Identifying the type of accident is crucial in determining liability and understanding the legal strategy needed to pursue your case. However, generally for any accident claim, four things need to be shown for the claim to be successful:
1. The other driver had a responsibility to drive safely.
2. They failed in that responsibility.
3. Their failure led to the accident and your injuries.
4. You faced losses because of the accident.
Having evidence, like photos, medical records, and witness statements, can strengthen your claim.
The Gray Area of Fault in Idaho Car Accident Claims
Sometimes, both drivers might share the blame for an accident. If you claim damages, insurance companies might argue that you also had a part in causing the accident, reducing their payout or even denying your claim.
Two common arguments they might use are:
1. Comparative Fault: Both parties share some blame. If it's determined that you were 40% at fault, you might receive only 60% of the total damages.
2. Contributory Negligence: If you had any part, however small, in causing the accident, you might not get any compensation.
Causes of Auto Accidents
Auto accidents can arise from a myriad of factors, often categorized into driver behavior, vehicle condition, and environmental influences:
- Driver-related Causes:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, phone calls, and other distractions are leading causes of accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction times.
- Speeding: Reduces the driver's ability to react quickly to road conditions or hazards.
- Fatigue: Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence.
- Aggressive Driving: Includes behaviors such as tailgating and road rage.
- Vehicle-related Causes:
- Mechanical Failures: Issues with brakes, tires, and other critical systems can lead to accidents.
- Design Defects: Flaws in vehicle design or manufacturing can cause malfunctions.
- Environmental Causes:
- Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, and ice can create hazardous driving conditions.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, and unclear signage can contribute to accidents.
- Visibility Issues: Glare from the sun or headlights can obscure a driver's vision.
Common Injuries from Auto Accidents
Injuries from car accidents can range from minor to life-threatening. It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately after an accident to document injuries and begin treatment. Common injuries include:
- Broken Bones: Fractures are common in high-impact collisions.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Debris from the accident can cause severe cuts.
- Whiplash: Common in rear-end collisions, leading to neck pain and stiffness.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Can result in paralysis or long-term disability.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Occur when the head is struck or jolted, affecting brain function.
- Emotional Distress: Psychological trauma is also a significant consequence of car accidents and can be included in compensation claims.
Understanding Auto Insurance in Idaho
Auto insurance is here to support vehicle owners, whether you've unfortunately caused an accident or been affected by one. If there's an accident, it's crucial for both parties to share their insurance details, ensuring everyone is informed about what happened.
In cases where the damages are mostly to the vehicles and there's little to no injury, an agreement on compensation is usually reached quickly. However, if there's an injury, remember that once you accept an offer from the insurance, you can't go back for more funds, even if your health situation changes.
Need assistance navigating this? Our team at Attorneys of Idaho is here to guide you. For a complimentary consultation, reach out at 208-314-8888.
Car Insurance Basics in Idaho
Car insurance is essentially a pact between you (the policyholder) and the insurance company. You pay them regular amounts called premiums, and they, in return, agree to cover certain accident-related costs, based on the policy's terms.
The coverage can be for:
- First-party insurance: Covering your own damages or injuries.
- Third-party insurance: Covering damages or injuries you might cause to others.
What Do Auto Insurance Adjusters Do?
When you report an accident to your insurer, they'll send an adjuster to evaluate it. While this might seem straightforward, it's good to remember that insurance companies aim to be profitable. This can sometimes mean they try to minimize the compensation they offer. Adjusters are trained to protect the company's bottom line, which might not always align with your best interests. It's essential to remember that their primary allegiance is to their employer, the insurance company, and their goal often revolves around minimizing payouts.
Tactics Employed by Insurance Adjusters
It's helpful to know some tactics adjusters might use, including:
- Scrutinizing for Inconsistencies: Adjusters might ask for a detailed account of the incident, searching for any variations in your narrative that might reduce their liability. For instance, if you initially mention only an arm injury but later realize you have a concussion, they might question the accident's actual cause.
- Prolonging the Claim Process: In some cases, adjusters might delay, hoping mounting bills will push you to accept any settlement. Persistence is key in such scenarios.
- Pushing for a Quick Settlement: Conversely, they might rush you to settle if they believe you're unaware of your claim's actual value. An experienced attorney can help ensure you make informed decisions.
Considerations for Settlements in Idaho
If you've been in an accident, the insurance company might propose a settlement amount. This initial offer, however, might not fully cater to all your needs or the longer-term impact of the accident. While it might be tempting to accept an offer to resolve things quickly, it's crucial to ensure it's fair.
You don't have to accept the first offer. With the help of an attorney, you can explore other options, including pursuing a more detailed claim or even heading to court to ensure you receive what you truly deserve.
Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Personal injury attorneys exist because insurance agencies are structured to take advantage of people. If you suffer from an accident and decide to resolve your case on your own, you could end up recovering your medical bills and possibly even property damage. Without the help of an experienced car accident lawyer, however, it is difficult to fully recover for the time, stress, pain, and suffering that the accident caused you and your family. When you go through a traumatic event like an auto accident, the resulting process can be a nightmare to negotiate and if you do it alone, it will be difficult for you to get paid for the time and energy you put into dealing with finding the right treatment providers and attempting to recover from your or someone else's insurance agency. After the accident, you will need to take the time to find the right physician to evaluate your injuries and will need to be able to pay for treatment. After you are better, you will need to call the insurance agency and negotiate payment for the money you are out for that medical treatment.
Why Hire Attorneys of Idaho?
If instead, you hire Attorneys of Idaho, you are looking at the possibility of recovering much more than the amount you spend on medical bills that came as a result of the accident. Insurance companies are not afraid of individuals with little to no legal experience and will not make big payouts to those individuals. Our office, however, routinely sees settlements in excess of your medical bills because insurance companies know we are not afraid to take them to trial if necessary. In furtherance of that, our office uses renowned physicians and treatment providers that are respected in the community and able to help get the best results possible for our clients. After a free consult, we will send you to a specialist who will evaluate your injuries and get you started on treatment. Our providers will routinely see patients referred by us without requiring payment up front because they trust our ability to recover your losses for you. That means no money out of pocket to see the doctor if you hire an attorney. That also means guidance to selecting the best possible physician to help with your specific injuries.
It may take a while for you to finish treatment, but we will work tirelessly for you while we wait to see what the final medical bills are. As soon as you retain our office in your case, we contact the insurance agencies and try to discover opposing party coverage and policy maximums. While you are seeing doctors and providers for injuries, we are keeping tabs on the bills and making sure you are up to date on what the possible payout and results will be. Often, bigger law firms will simply pull in massive numbers of clients in an attempt to make more money. We strive to stay in touch and make sure we help you through every step of the process. We make sure to keep running totals of your medical expenses so that as soon as our treatment providers decide you are recovered from your injuries, we are ready to begin negotiating for the largest possible settlement. Also, after we have a final settlement on the table, our attorneys will then negotiate your medical expenses on your behalf with the treatment providers in an attempt to minimize your medical expenses and maximize your payout.
Often, personal injury cases take months to resolve because we are unable to negotiate a settlement until we know the final number on the medical fees. It is important to pick a firm with a personal touch so that as soon as the medical expenses are finalized, negotiation can begin. A few more reasons why Attorneys of Idaho can help:
- Expertise in Personal Injury: Not all healthcare providers have a deep understanding of the nuances associated with car accident injuries. Some might even see an opportunity in such cases, opting to place a lien on your settlement rather than bill your insurance. This approach can complicate your financial recovery and potentially reduce the compensation you receive for your injuries. At Attorneys of Idaho, we have a network of trusted medical professionals, including chiropractors, physical therapists, and concussion specialists, who are experienced in handling personal injury cases related to auto accidents. They prioritize your health without compromising your financial recovery.
- Creating a Credible Medical Timeline: It's crucial that your medical treatment reflects a believable timeline that correlates directly with the injuries sustained from the accident. This isn't just about receiving ongoing treatment; it's about getting the right treatment for injuries directly related to the accident. Insurance companies scrutinize medical records and timelines to verify the legitimacy of claims. Our firm ensures that your medical treatment is not only appropriate for your injuries but also strategically aligned with the legal requirements of an auto accident claim.
- Choosing the Right Healthcare Provider: Often, the best healthcare provider for a typical ailment might not be the best choice for injuries sustained in an auto accident. For instance, some providers might not be experienced in or may not accept the billing practices tied to car accident injuries, which can be different from other medical billing procedures. This can lead to complications with insurance claims and potentially delay your treatment.
- Personalized Medical Referral: Every car accident and every injury is unique, which means the care you require must be specifically tailored to your situation. Factors such as the specifics of your accident, your auto and health insurance, and your overall health needs all play a crucial role in determining the best provider for you. At Attorneys of Idaho, we consider all these aspects when advising you on which medical professionals to consult. Whether it's choosing a provider who is the best fit for your type of health insurance or finding someone experienced in treating uninsured patients, our goal is to position you for the best possible recovery—medically and financially.
How it Works
We bill personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means that we take a percentage of the total payout by the insurance agency. We do not make a penny unless we get you a settlement. Not having a car accident lawyer in your case can lead to headache and heartache trying to pick the right doctor to see for your injuries, missed deadlines, and/or possibly not even recovering your medical expenses. You have nothing to lose in scheduling a free consult with our team today.
If you are in a car accident, here are some bullet points to remember:
TRY TO OBTAIN THE FOLLOWING.
- Name address and phone number
- Name and contact information of passengers and witnesses
- Driver's license number
- Insurance company name, contact number, and policy number
- Make, model, and year of the other car
- License plate number of the other car
- VIN number of the car if possible
- Make notes, of what happened, this can be done in written form or by recorder, e.g. your phone.
- Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if the injuries seem minor, other more serious injuries can be aggravated by waiting to seek medical attention.
- Provide ONLY the necessary information to file a report to the police. DO NOT ADMIT FAULT.
- Prior to speaking to the insurance company call a personal injury attorney, What you do say can and might be used against you.
Auto Accident FAQ
Q: What should I do immediately after an accident?
A: After ensuring your safety and seeking medical attention, document the scene by taking photographs, gather contact information from witnesses, and report the accident to the police. It's crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Call us as soon as you can and we can make sure everything is being processed correctly.
Q: How can an attorney help with my claim?
A: An attorney can assist by gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies and medical providers, and representing you in court if necessary. They will work to maximize your compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Q: What compensation am I entitled to?
A: You may be eligible for compensation covering medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
Specialized Cases
Car Accidents Involving Children and Pets
Accidents involving children and pets require a sensitive and detailed approach to ensure their safety and well-being are prioritized. Children are more vulnerable to injuries, and our team is experienced in handling such cases with the care they deserve.
Children's injuries can differ from adults due to their ongoing development:
- Head or Brain Injuries: These can deeply affect a child's learning and daily activities.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Especially in younger kids, the neck area is delicate, making them more vulnerable to injuries.
- Thoracic Injuries: Young children might suffer more injuries to the chest area, potentially impacting the heart or lungs.
- Fractures: Children's bones are still developing, making them more likely to fracture.
- Emotional Impact: The accident's emotional toll might lead to conditions like anxiety, requiring therapy or counseling.
Hit and Run Accidents
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be particularly distressing. We are dedicated to helping you identify responsible parties and pursue justice, ensuring you receive compensation even when the at-fault driver is unidentified.
Understanding Why Some Drivers Flee
It's hard to pinpoint a single reason why some drivers decide to escape after causing an accident. However, a few common reasons are:
- Lacking a valid driver's license or insurance.
- Driving without the car owner's permission or in a stolen vehicle.
- Outstanding legal issues, such as an arrest warrant.
- Concerns about immigration status.
- Fear of penalties from driving under influence.
Regardless of their reasons, it's crucial to remember that you are the one left dealing with the aftermath.
Steps to Follow after a Hit and Run Incident
If you're the victim of a hit and run:
- Stay composed and remain on-site, ensuring you're in a safe location.
- Contact the police immediately.
- Try to gather contact details from any witnesses.
- Document the scene by taking photographs.
- Note down any details of the vehicle or driver that you remember.
It's essential not to chase the fleeing driver, as this could complicate the situation. Report any identifying information to law enforcement and let them track down the culprit.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents in Idaho. Our firm is committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and advocating for victims' rights.
Rideshare Accidents
Accidents involving rideshare services like Uber and Lyft present unique challenges due to the complex insurance policies involved. We have the expertise to navigate these intricacies and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Our attorneys understand the federal regulations governing truck drivers and will use this knowledge to build a strong case on your behalf.
Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters may attempt to downplay the severity of your injuries or offer settlements that do not fully cover your expenses. It's crucial to have legal representation to protect your rights. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who will fight for the compensation you deserve, ensuring that all aspects of your damages are addressed.
No-Fault Car Accidents
Understanding no-fault insurance claims is essential in Idaho. Even in no-fault situations, you may still be entitled to compensation for certain damages. Our team can guide you through this process, helping you navigate the complexities of no-fault claims to ensure fair compensation.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
At Attorneys of Idaho, we are committed to providing comprehensive legal support and answering all your questions about personal injury law. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and provide you with a clear path forward. Contact us today at (208) 314-8888 or visit our offices in Boise to schedule an appointment.
Our dedicated team is here to support you throughout your recovery and ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. Reach out to us today for a no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward reclaiming your life after an accident.