1. Feller & Wendt, LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death from truck accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, driver fatigue accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo accidents, hours of service violations, equipment failure accidents.
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, black box data preservation and retrieval, maintenance record investigation, logbook analysis, evidence preservation notices, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims.
Background: Feller & Wendt, LLC provides free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis. The firm has developed a network of resources and experts for investigating truck accidents and preserving key evidence. The attorneys specialize in federal trucking laws and regulations and have experience holding parties liable for violations of commercial truck regulations.
Location: Boise, Idaho
Contact: (208) 391-5945 | https://www.fellerwendt.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis (no attorneys’ fees until money is recovered).
2. Monteleone Law Offices, P.L.L.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries.
Case Types Handled: Interstate highway truck collisions, driver fatigue accidents, hours of service violations, equipment failure accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents.
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data analysis, driver qualification file review, vehicle maintenance record investigation, cargo loading documentation review, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims.
Background: Monteleone Law Offices is led by Jason Monteleone, a seasoned trial lawyer with over three decades of experience in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Jason has been named a Mountain States Super Lawyer in Personal Injury Law and holds an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a Past President of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and is admitted to practice before all Idaho state and federal courts.
Location: Boise, Idaho (serving the Treasure Valley, all of Idaho, and the Pacific Northwest)
Contact: (208) 331-2100 | https://treasurevalleylawyers.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis (no fee unless compensation is recovered). Home or hospital visits available if client cannot travel.
3. Montgomery Dowdle
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, hours of service violations, equipment failure accidents, cargo accidents, brake failure accidents, overloaded truck accidents, improper maintenance accidents.
Legal Services: Federal trucking regulation compliance investigation, hours of service violation investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, multi-party liability investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Montgomery Dowdle is a personal injury law firm in Boise, Idaho with experience handling truck accident claims. The firm understands that truck accidents and car accidents require different legal approaches due to the complex federal and local laws governing the trucking industry. The attorneys work to identify all responsible parties including trucking companies, drivers, and insurance providers.
Location: Boise, Idaho
Contact: (208) 378-8882 | https://www.montgomerydowdle.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis (no fee if case is not won).
4. Rossman Law Group
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, brake failure accidents, speeding accidents, improper loading accidents, equipment failure accidents, rollover accidents.
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Rossman Law Group is a group of experienced personal injury attorneys who have had proven successes in 18-wheeler and semi-truck accident cases. The attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding accidents and search for possible causes including driver error, equipment failure, and improper loading. The firm is committed to ensuring clients receive adequate compensation for injuries and vehicle damage.
Location: Boise, Idaho
Contact: https://rossmanlaw.com/
Consultation: Consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
5. The Sargent Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, hours of service violations, equipment failure accidents, cargo accidents, distracted driving accidents, brake failure accidents, rollover accidents.
Legal Services: Federal trucking regulation compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, multi-party liability investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: The Sargent Law Firm includes a nationally recognized member of the prestigious Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. The firm has secured over $40 million in settlements and judgments for clients. The attorneys are dedicated to helping injured people recover and have experience combating insurance company tactics to assign blame and reduce settlements.
Location: Boise, Idaho
Contact: https://sargentlawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Idaho
Statute of Limitations: Idaho Code § 5-219(4) establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accidents. Injured parties must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. For property damage claims, the statute of limitations is three years under Idaho Code § 5-218. Missing these deadlines typically results in permanent loss of the right to seek compensation through the court system.
Fault System: Idaho is a fault-based insurance state. The driver determined to be at fault for the accident is financially liable for resulting damages. Injured parties can file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for injuries and losses.
Comparative Negligence: Idaho follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Idaho Code § 6-801. Injured parties can recover damages as long as their percentage of fault is less than 50%. If a plaintiff is found to be 50% or more at fault, they are completely barred from recovering any damages. Damages are reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s degree of fault. For example, if a plaintiff is 20% at fault and damages total $100,000, the plaintiff would recover $80,000.
Non-Economic Damage Cap: Idaho Code § 6-1603 imposes a cap on non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). The cap is adjusted annually for inflation. As of July 2024, the cap was approximately $490,512.33. The cap is per claimant, not per defendant. The cap does not apply if the defendant acted recklessly or intentionally.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Under Idaho Statute 49-1229, Idaho requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/15, which includes $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Basic insurance plans also include $25,000/$50,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person/per accident, though this can be waived.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum insurance as mandated by federal law. For non-hazardous freight, the federal minimum is $750,000. For hazardous materials, minimums range from $1 million to $5 million depending on cargo type.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Idaho courts recognize and apply Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) in truck accident litigation. These regulations govern hours of service, driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. Violations of FMCSR can establish negligence.
Hours of Service Regulations: Federal regulations limit commercial truck drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour workday following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are mandatory for recording hours of service.
Vicarious Liability: Idaho law allows plaintiffs to pursue claims against trucking companies for the negligent acts of their employee drivers. Unlike claims against private citizen drivers, a commercial truck driver’s driving history and compliance with company training may be admissible as evidence.
Accident Reporting: Idaho Statute 49-1301 requires drivers to remain at the scene of an accident that causes vehicle damage, injuries, or deaths. Leaving the scene is a hit-and-run misdemeanor. Serious accidents (injuries, fatalities, or collective property damage over $1,500) must be reported to authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Idaho?
Under Idaho Code § 5-219(4), you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For property damage claims, the deadline extends to three years under Idaho Code § 5-218. If the injury involves a minor child, the two-year statute of limitations begins on the minor’s eighteenth birthday. Missing these deadlines typically results in permanent loss of your right to seek compensation through the court system. Given the complexity of truck accident cases and the time needed to investigate, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies, consulting with an attorney promptly after the accident is advisable.
How does Idaho’s comparative negligence law affect truck accident compensation?
Idaho’s modified comparative negligence rule under Idaho Code § 6-801 allows you to recover damages as long as your percentage of fault is less than 50%. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are awarded $200,000 in damages but found to be 30% at fault, you would receive $140,000. Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto accident victims to reduce payouts, making thorough documentation and legal representation important for protecting your claim.
Is there a cap on damages in Idaho truck accident cases?
Idaho Code § 6-1603 caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) at approximately $490,512.33 as of July 2024, adjusted annually for inflation. This cap applies per claimant regardless of the number of defendants. However, the cap does not apply if the defendant acted recklessly or intentionally rather than negligently. Economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) are not subject to any cap in Idaho. Punitive damages may be available in cases involving egregious conduct.
Which courts handle truck accident lawsuits in Boise?
Truck accident personal injury lawsuits in Boise and Ada County are typically filed in the Fourth Judicial District Court of Idaho. Cases involving federal trucking regulations or parties from different states may qualify for federal court jurisdiction in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. According to the Idaho Transportation Department, there were 910 commercial vehicle accidents in Ada and Canyon County in 2023, with 207 resulting in injury. Complex truck accident cases often involve extensive discovery periods for obtaining trucking company records, Electronic Logging Device data, driver qualification files, and expert testimony.
What evidence should be preserved after a truck accident in Boise?
Critical evidence in truck accident cases includes Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data showing driver hours and duty status, the truck’s black box or event data recorder capturing speed and braking data, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing results, vehicle maintenance and inspection records, dispatch records showing delivery schedules, cargo loading documentation, and witness statements. Federal regulations require trucking companies to retain certain records, and attorneys can send preservation notices demanding evidence not be destroyed. Prompt legal action is important because some electronic data may be overwritten within days or weeks after an accident if not properly preserved.