Pocatello Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

Although cars and trucks come in all shapes and sizes, there is one thing they all have in common. Each of them is driven or occupied by our friends, loved ones, or ourselves. A motor vehicle accident can happen in a second in Pocatello or elsewhere. The collision can happen on the dry roads of summer or the icy roads of winter. They happen at night or during the day. An accident can happen at dusk or dawn or at low speed or high. Regardless of the type of accident, the injuries and suffering that arise from it may last days, months, or even a lifetime. In some unfortunate cases, it can cost the life of a careful and innocent driver. The motor vehicle accident attorneys at Racine Olson in Pocatello, Idaho are experienced in these cases and have handled them for many years. They not only have the experience, Racine Olson lawyers have the ability to explain legal principles in a way that will make you feel better about the burden you’ve been carrying. We’re here to help.

Oftentimes in southern Idaho, Pocatello, McCammon, or other cities in the surrounding area a vehicle accident will arise due to icy roads or other adverse weather conditions. Many people believe that if the road was icy, no one is at fault for the accident since the person causing the accident couldn’t stop on slick roads. This is incorrect. In one case a driver was unable to stop when entering an intersection and struck another vehicle. The trial court stated that because the roads were icy, that this excused his failure to stop. However, the Idaho Supreme Court stated that a person is still negligent whether or not the road is icy since a failure to obey traffic laws makes a driver negligent per se. Haakonstad v. Hoff, 94 Idaho 300, 301, 486 P.2d 1013, 1014 (1971). The Idaho Court of Appeals later followed this rule again. It stated that the failure to maintain a vehicle under control even on icy roads was no excuse and the party who failed to do so was negligent as a matter of law. Teply v. Lincoln, 125 Idaho 773, 874 P.2d 584 (Ct. App. 1994).

The fact is that regardless of how the accident occurs, there is generally a party that is more at fault than the other. That person needs to reimburse the injured party for the suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages suffered by the innocent one. It does not matter that the at fault driver was sliding on icy roads. This simply means that he or she was going too fast for conditions. A person who is drowsy, text messaging, or talking on the phone may not be paying enough attention to the road or other vehicles around him.

The shortcomings of an at fault driver in causing a motor vehicle accident affect nearly every part of the innocent party’s life. The innocent party loses past wages, they lose the ability to work in the future, medical bills pile up, and other debts mount, not to mention the constant pain and suffering that wears on the person’s mental wellbeing. An inattentive driver can cause injuries that last a lifetime including broken bones, nerve damage, traumatic brain injuries, or even the death of a loved one. We understand.

Whether in Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, or Pocatello, we have an office near you. We can work with police to get the police report and, if necessary, we can retain weather experts to explain why the road conditions existed. If other experts are needed, we know where to find them and how to retain them. In short, we know what we’re doing and we’ll be right there with you.

There are other issues which require the assistance of a qualified attorney at Racine Olson when one of these more severe motor vehicle accidents happen. Those will include subrogation interests by medical insurance companies, pain and suffering, and what the value is of a given case. You will need to be aware of the liability insurance coverage which is carried by the negligent driver. We know how to guide you through these issues because we are familiar with insurance companies, coverage issues, and the requirements that govern them. We know how to maximize your recovery.

Our staff is experienced in handling all types of motor vehicle and light truck accidents. These include drunk driving, uninsured/underinsured, hit-and-run collisions, bad faith insurance claims, auto defects and distracted driving. Additionally, we work with a number of medical and car accident experts, evaluating the effects of brain injuries, spinal cord compression, broken bones and severe internal injuries on your life. This gives us the ability to effectively advocate for you.

We are confident in our ability to help you with your problem. After all, we’ve been helping our friends and neighbors solve problems for a very long time. Come see us today and let’s solve your problem together. Your Racine Olson team can help. Give us a call.