Idaho Law Blog
On September 23rd, two semi-trucks collided at mile post 23 on State Highway 24. The accident occurred at approximately 5:02 p.m. in Minidoka County, just north of Rupert.
At the time of the accident, the first vehicle, a 2010 Kenworth hauling a trailer of potatoes, was traveling northbound. The driver, a 38-year-old man from Rupert, slowed to a stop in the northbound lane to make a left turn, when the vehicle was struck in the rear by the second vehicle, a 1983 international semi. The driver of the second vehicle, a 43-year-old man from Albuquerque, New Mexico, had also been pulling a trailer of potatoes when he failed to stop in time to avoid the slowing Kenworth.
Following the accident, the driver of the international semi, the 43-year-old man, was sent to a hospital via life flight to receive treatment for his critical injuries. The driver of the Kenworth was also injured, and he was transported to a local hospital by ground ambulance.
We are sorry to hear about this collision, and we hope both men will be able to make a full and speedy recovery.
Unfortunately, according to Idaho Transportation Department’s crash report in 2023, 17% of all motor vehicle crashes were related to or caused by distracted driving. Of that 17%, 48 people were killed because of these accidents. Idaho Department of Transportation says that of these crashes, “failing to yield” is the largest contributing cause. Multiple vehicle crashes accounted for 72% of all motor vehicle crashes in 2023, leaving a total of 19,807 multi-vehicle crashes.
LIABILTIY FOR ACCIDENTS IN IDAHO
No one who gets into or drives a vehicle wants to be involved in an accident. But unfortunately, car accidents happen. Idaho uses a fault-based system to impose liability on the party most at-fault for the accident. A legal principle called “comparative negligence,” is applied to determine the negligence of all involved parties. If the Plaintiff’s negligence is less than 50%, then she generally can recover damages from the Defendant (or the Defendant’s insurance policy).
Our personal injury attorneys can advise injured persons about their particular case and how Idaho’s legal principles of negligence, causation, and liability apply to it.
Notes: The information used to create this blog post comes primarily from the Idaho State Police News Releases. Information has not been independently verified by this firm. Please report any inaccuracies in this post to our firm. We will correct or remove the article, if asked.
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended as solicitation for professional employment to a specific person. It is intended as a legal news and advertisement post. The post does not constitute legal or medical advice.