By Stephen J. Muhonen, Personal Injury Attorney, Racine Olson, PLLP
I have been practicing law for more than 20 years. Prior to becoming an attorney I worked in law enforcement for approximately 8 years, beginning first as a police officer for the city of Pocatello, Idaho and concluding as a Trooper for the Idaho State Police. During my tenure in law enforcement, I was initially trained in basic accident investigations. While serving as a State Trooper, I was fortunate enough to also be trained as an Advanced Crash Investigator. This meant being taught how to really give attention to additional details throughout the course of a motor vehicle collision investigation. As a quick aside, I purposefully do not use the term motor vehicle “accident.” In my training I learned that rarely is the occasion when a motor vehicle collision is truly an accident. Motor vehicle collisions generally occur due to some sort of negligence, perhaps even recklessness. Negligence is not an accident. Advanced Crash Investigators are taught concepts of pre and post- accident vehicle speeds and paths. This includes analyzing a crash scene using physics, algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Investigators are also taught to pay attention to road conditions, including drag factor (friction), investigate vehicle conditions, and how to gather and document supporting evidence. Having learned this information and becoming a trained investigator has been invaluable in my role as a personal injury attorney.
If you have been injured and/or your property damaged in a motor vehicle collision, it is wise to seek the assistance of an attorney. In Idaho, bodily injury claims arising from a motor vehicle collision have a two (2) year statute of limitations from the date of the collision. Property damage claims must be brought within three (3) years. If you miss your statute of limitations deadline, you may have very well said goodbye to any claim for compensation you may have had. Through the assistance of an attorney, the police reports and other investigation materials can be gathered and analyzed in attempt to determine liability. Sometimes, experts such as reconstructionists will be retained to further aid in the determination of liability and/or causation of the crash. The attorney will also help in the gathering and analysis of medical records and billings. It is not unusual for the attorney to have to hire medical experts, too, in determining causation of injuries and what will/may be the long-term effect of those injuries. This can be critically important in determining the injuries sustained because of the collision. There is a direct connection between liability and injuries sustained when it comes time to attempt to determine the value of a particular injury claim. An attorney who is experienced in the dynamics of a motor vehicle collision and who has been trained and is experienced in the law, is who you want when it comes time to work with insurance companies toward a resolution of your personal injury claim. Knowledge is power.
If you or someone you know have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, give Stephen Muhonen at Racine Olson, PLLP a call at 208-232-6101. You can also email Stephen at steve@racineolson.com.