Truck accidents
Hit by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Boise?
Callan Injury Law is a personal injury law firm in Boise, Idaho, that represents people hurt in crashes with semi trucks and other commercial vehicles. A truck crash claim usually involves a trucking company, its insurer and federal safety records. Attorney Nora Callan works to secure that evidence early. Your first consultation is free.
Why trucks are different
How is a truck crash claim different from a car crash claim?
A crash with an 18-wheeler can look like any other collision at first. The claim behind it is usually bigger and more complicated, for 3 reasons.
The injuries are often more serious
A loaded semi truck weighs many times more than a family car. Injuries tend to be more severe, and recovery can take longer.
A company stands behind the driver
Most truck drivers drive for a trucking company. That company and its insurer often send their own investigators to the scene within hours.
Federal safety rules apply
The FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, is the federal agency that regulates trucking companies and drivers. A broken rule can be evidence of fault.
Who may be responsible
Who can be held responsible for a truck crash?
In most car crashes there is 1 driver and 1 insurer. In a truck crash, several companies may share the responsibility, and each may have its own insurance. Finding all of them matters.
Who is responsible depends on the facts of each crash.
The truck driver
Speeding, driving tired, looking at a phone, driving impaired, or making an unsafe turn or lane change.
The motor carrier
A motor carrier is the trucking company that operates the truck. It is often responsible for its driver on the job, and for how it hires, trains and schedules drivers.
The shipper or loader
The company that loaded the trailer. Cargo that is overweight, uneven or not tied down can shift and cause a rollover or a spill.
The maintenance company
Brakes, tires and lights must be inspected and repaired. A shop that skipped or rushed that work may share the blame.
The truck or parts maker
When a faulty brake, tire or steering part fails, the company that made it may be responsible.
Federal trucking rules
Which federal trucking rules matter after a crash?
These federal rules come up most often in truck crash claims in Idaho. Each one leaves a paper or data trail that can show what really happened on the road.
Hours-of-service limits
Federal hours-of-service rules limit how long a truck driver may drive and work before taking a break or a full rest.
Electronic logging devices
Most interstate trucks must carry an electronic logging device, or ELD. An ELD automatically records when the truck is moving and when the driver rests.
Black box data
Most modern trucks have an engine control module, often called the black box. It can record speed, braking and throttle just before a crash.
Driver qualification files
Trucking companies must keep a file on each driver, including the commercial driver's license, medical certificate and driving record.
Drug and alcohol testing
Federal rules require drug and alcohol testing of commercial drivers, including testing after many serious crashes.
Inspection and repair records
Carriers must inspect, repair and maintain their trucks and keep records of that work. Drivers must check their truck too.
Act quickly
Why does truck crash evidence need to be preserved quickly?
Much of the evidence in a truck crash is held by the trucking company, and not all of it lasts. Federal rules let carriers discard some driver logs after 6 months. Black box data can be overwritten once the truck is back on the road.
That is why the first weeks matter. Call us as soon as you are able, even from the hospital.
We send a preservation letter
A preservation letter is a formal written demand that the trucking company keep every record about the crash. We send it as early as we can.
We request the records and the data
Driver logs, black box data, dispatch and GPS records, the driver's qualification file and the truck's maintenance history.
We document the scene and the truck
Photos, measurements, nearby cameras and, where needed, an inspection of the truck before it is repaired or sold.
We find every insurer
The carrier, any company that owns the trailer, and any company that loaded or serviced the truck may each have insurance.
We build the claim around your recovery
Your medical care, lost work and the long term effects of your injuries, documented so nothing is left out.
Truck crashes we handle
What truck crashes happen on I-84 and Treasure Valley roads?
I-84 is the main freight route through southwest Idaho. It runs through Caldwell, Nampa, Meridian and Boise and carries trucks between Oregon and Utah. Heavy trucks also use the Connector into downtown Boise and the highways across the valley.
- I-84
- I-184, the Connector
- US 20/26
- State Highway 55
- State Highway 16
- State Highway 44
- Rear-end crashes by a truck that could not stop
- Jackknife crashes
- Wide right turn crashes
- Underride crashes, where a car slides under a trailer
- Blind spot lane changes
- Tire blowouts and brake failures
- Rollovers and spilled cargo
- Delivery van, box truck and dump truck crashes
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Questions
What do people ask after a truck crash?
This website is for general information and is not legal advice. Every truck crash is different. For advice about your own situation, call (208) 555-0132.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer in Boise?
Nothing up front. Callan Injury Law works on a contingency fee, which is a percentage of any recovery, agreed in writing before work begins. The agreement also explains how case costs, such as reports and records, are handled. Read how our fees work.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Idaho?
Idaho sets deadlines for filing injury claims, often 2 years from the date of injury, and some claims have shorter notice deadlines. A crash with a city, county or state vehicle is one example. We can tell you which deadline applies to you.
The trucking company's insurer called me. Should I talk to them?
You can give basic facts, like your name and contact details. It is wise to talk to a lawyer before you give a recorded statement or sign anything. The adjuster works for the trucking company. Once you hire us, those calls come to us.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Many drivers lease their trucks to a carrier or work as contractors. The carrier may still be responsible in many cases, because of federal rules and the contracts involved. It depends on the facts, so we read each contract and record.
Do truck accident cases always go to court?
No. Most truck crash claims are resolved without a trial, and some are not. We prepare each case as if it could go to court. You decide whether to accept any offer, after we explain it in plain words.
Related practice areas
What other injury cases does Callan Injury Law handle?
Truck crashes often involve other drivers, riders and, sadly, sometimes the loss of a life. See all practice areas
Car accidents
When a car or pickup, and not a commercial truck, caused your crash.
Car accident claimsMotorcycle accidents
Riders hit by trucks and cars, and insurers who blame the rider.
Motorcycle claimsWrongful death
When a family loses someone in a fatal crash.
Wrongful death claimsHow our fees work
No fee up front. Our fee is a percentage of any recovery, agreed in writing before work begins.
Read about feesTruck accident consultation
Talk to Nora about your truck crash
Call, text or send the form. You will hear back from our team within 1 business day, and usually much sooner. The first conversation is free and there is no pressure to hire us.
Tell us what happened
Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information until we have agreed to represent you.
Thanks, we'll be in touch shortly.
If it's urgent, call us at (208) 555-0132.