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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Kigan Martineau who has years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
After a car accident in Idaho, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There’s the stress of the crash, medical treatment, insurance paperwork, and trying to get your life back on track. Knowing what to do at each step can make the process less confusing and help protect your rights.
BAM Personal Injury Lawyers helps injured drivers take the right steps after a crash. Whether you’re dealing with serious injuries, property damage, or an unfair insurance claim, our experienced attorneys know how to handle the process. We work hard to help clients recover lost wages, pay medical bills, and receive fair compensation from the parties involved.
Looking for an Idaho Personal Injury Lawyer? Contact BAM Personal Injury Lawyers
Your safety comes first after a car accident in Idaho. The most important thing is to make sure no one is in immediate danger and to alert emergency responders right away.
If your vehicle can move and it’s safe to do so, pull off the road. This helps prevent more accidents from happening. Use your hazard lights to warn other drivers and stay calm while waiting for help.
Always call the police after a crash. An official accident report is often required when filing an insurance claim. Law enforcement will document what happened and speak with the parties involved and any witnesses at the accident scene.
If anyone is hurt, ask for medical help immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s best to get checked. Immediate medical attention is important for your health and your personal injury claim. Delays can hurt your case later.
If you’re able to safely collect information at the accident scene, it can help your claim later. This evidence will be useful during the insurance claims process.
Use your phone to take pictures of all vehicles, the road, traffic signs, weather, and visible injuries. These photos help show what happened and can support your side of the story if the other driver denies fault.
Exchange names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy details with every driver. Make sure you also note the make and model of each vehicle.
If someone saw the crash happen, ask for their name and number. Witnesses can support your version of events and may be helpful if fault becomes a dispute.
Ask the responding officer how to get a copy of the accident report. This report may list who the officer believes caused the crash. It also includes key facts that your car accident attorney will need to build your case.
Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel fine. Injuries are not always visible, and pain can show up days later.
Don’t wait to see a doctor. Medical treatment right after the crash proves that your injuries were caused by the accident. If you wait too long, the insurance company may say your injuries came from something else.
Tell your doctor about every symptom you feel, even if it seems small. Headaches, dizziness, or back pain can be signs of a bigger problem. This medical documentation will support your personal injury claims and help your legal team fight for fair compensation.
If your doctor says to rest, go to physical therapy or take medication, follow their advice. Save copies of all medical records, receipts, and prescriptions. These will be important when calculating your medical expenses and lost wages.
Let your own insurance company know about the crash soon after it happens. This step is important even if you were not at fault.
Most policies require you to report an accident right away. If you don’t, your insurance claim could be denied. Be honest, but only provide the facts—like when and where the accident occurred.
You should give basic details, but don’t guess or try to explain how the crash happened. Insurance adjusters may use your words against you later.
Do not say you caused the crash or that you feel fine. Let your car accident attorney speak with the insurance company for you if possible. This protects your right to seek full compensation.
If another driver caused the crash, their insurance should cover your losses. You can file a claim directly with the other driver’s insurance company.
In Idaho, the driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying damages. That means you may file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. This is a key part of the insurance claim process.
Idaho follows a rule that allows injured people to recover damages even if they are partly at fault for the accident — up to a certain limit.
Under Idaho Code Section 6-801, if you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation. But if you are 49% or less at fault, you can still recover damages. Your compensation will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If you are awarded $20,000 but are found to be 20% at fault, you will receive $16,000. This rule makes it important to prove how the crash happened and to show that the other driver was mostly responsible.
Even if your car is fully repaired, its value may drop simply because it was in an accident. This is known as diminished value.
Most buyers won’t pay full price for a car that has a crash history. After a car accident in Idaho, your vehicle may lose value, even if it looks new again.
In some cases, you can file a diminished value claim as part of your personal injury claims. If successful, the other driver’s insurance company may pay you for the difference between what your car was worth before the crash and what it’s worth now.
Idaho law sets strict deadlines for filing claims after a car accident. Missing these deadlines could mean losing your chance to recover damages.
If you were hurt, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident date. This deadline applies even if you’re still receiving medical treatment.
For property claims, like damage to your car, you have up to three years to file. Waiting too long may allow the insurance company to deny your claim.
Once the deadline passes, you lose your right to take legal action. That’s why it’s important to act quickly and speak with a lawyer early in the process.
Filing an insurance claim can be complicated. A lawyer can help you protect your rights, deal with insurance adjusters, and fight for the money you deserve.
If your crash caused injuries, medical bills, or lost wages, it’s smart to speak with an accomplished car accident attorney. Most car accident claims seem simple at first, but insurance companies often make low offers. A lawyer can protect your rights and help you pursue full compensation.
Most car accident claims settle within a few months to a year. The timeline depends on how severe your injuries are, how long your treatment takes, and whether fault is disputed. Serious cases may take longer if the insurance company refuses to pay what’s fair.
Yes. Idaho follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can still recover money if you are less than 50% at fault. But the amount you receive will be reduced based on your share of the blame.
It’s common for injuries to show up hours or even days after an accident. Always get checked by a doctor. Delayed medical treatment can make seeking compensation harder, especially if you wait too long to report your symptoms.
Don’t admit fault or say you feel fine. Avoid guessing about what happened. Stick to basic facts. Let your attorney handle the rest. Insurance adjusters may try to use your words to lower your claim.
If you were injured in a car accident in Idaho, you deserve answers and support. Dealing with medical bills, lost income, and insurance adjusters can be overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to face it alone.
BAM Personal Injury Lawyers helps crash victims across Idaho recover compensation for their losses. Whether you are filing a new claim or struggling to get a fair settlement, our experienced car accident attorneys are ready to help. We know what it takes to protect your rights and fight for the full amount you’re owed.
We offer free consultations, so there’s no cost to learn about your options. If we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win. Let us handle the insurance company while you focus on healing.
Call us today to get started. We’re here to guide you through every step of the Idaho car accident claim process.
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