Idaho Truck Accident Attorneys

Idaho Truck Accident Attorneys

Semi-truck accident injuries can be catastrophic. Tractor-trailers weigh twenty to forty times the weight of passenger cars and trucks and can create huge amounts of damage to other cars on the road and inflict severe injuries on motorists.

The good news is that Idaho law regulates trucks and gives truck accident victims ways to recover for their medical bills and pain suffering.

What to Do If You’ve Been Involved in an Accident with a Semi-Truck

It is important for you to think about what you would do if you were hit by an 18-wheeler because such accidents can be very dangerous.

•  The most critical thing to do is see to your health and monitor for any injuries. Do not get out of your car if you are hurt. Seek medical care if you have any doubts about the severity of your injuries.
• If you are able to get out of your car, call the police and exchange information with other drivers, including:
  • Name, address, phone number
  • Insurance information
  • Driver’s license number and license plate number. Get the trucker’s DOT number or USDOT number.
• Do not admit fault to anyone else. Fault will be decided by a professional.
• Take notes about the accident. Take video and photos at the scene of the accident. Write down everything you remember about the accident. Keep track of all injuries and pain you are going through. Also keep track of if your accident injuries have kept you from work or attending social functions.
• Contact an attorney who focuses on truck accidents.

Law in Idaho on 18-wheelers

Trucks driving in Idaho will either have to follow federal law if they drive in and out of state or state law if they drive only in state. One of the first things a truck accident attorney will do is determine what regulations govern the driver involved in your accident. A lawyer will then investigate the trucking company and look for regulation violations. Such violations can be evidence of wrongdoing in your accident and will be favorable evidence for you in court.

The Idaho and federal regulations differ in some respects, but for the most part are similar. They regulate many facets of truck driving, including:

• The number of hours a trucker can be on the road in a day and in a week.
• How often a truck must be checked up for potential mechanical and tire problems
• How much weight an 18-wheeler can haul
• Paperwork a truck fleet must maintain

How do truck accidents happen?

Truck accidents happen a variety of ways. Some accidents occur because of brake failure or tire blowouts. Brake failures cause jackknifing. These accidents are oftentimes preventable if proper inspection and care were taken of the truck.

Other accidents are caused by driver inattention from fatigue or distracted driving. Rollovers, when a truck falls on its side and possibly upside down, happen when a truck is moving too fast on a sharp turn or when a driver overcorrects.

What a Lawyer Can Do For You

A truck accident can be a major event in your life, and getting compensation for your injuries should be taken seriously. You must make sure that the money you are awarded compensates you for any pain or medical bills you will have in the future because once you settle with an insurance company, you will lose your right to bring any lawsuit down the road.

Contact an experienced Idaho truck accident attorney featured on this website for a free initial consultation.