Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Serving Boise & Meridian, Idaho

For many avid motorcyclists, nothing compares to the feeling of freedom and enjoyment that comes from riding a bike. Unfortunately, a ride on your motorcycle can quickly turn into a nightmare when an accident occurs.  

A motorcycle accident can leave you with devastating and debilitating injuries and affect all aspects of your life. However, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses if the motorcycle accident was someone else’s fault.  

Our motorcycle accident attorneys at Shep Law Group represent injured motorcyclists and those who lost their loved ones in motorcycle collisions in Boise and Meridian, Idaho, as well as the surrounding area, including Canyon County and Ada County. Our law firm also handles cases statewide.  

Steps to Take if You Were in a Motorcycle Accident

After a motorcycle accident, take the following steps to protect your rights and ensure fair compensation:  

1. Go to a hospital to seek medical attention. The first thing you need to do after a motorcycle accident is to get medical attention. Even if you feel okay at the scene of the accident, some injuries may not surface until later. You may have internal bleeding, concussion, or other injuries that are hard to detect.  

2. Report the accident. You must report the accident to the local police or Idaho State Police. Call 911 immediately, and give them all the necessary information about the accident. Tell them about the injuries you have suffered, the location of the accident, and the details of any other vehicles or drivers involved in the accident.  

3. Collect evidence. The more evidence you have, the stronger your future legal claim will be. Take pictures of the accident scene and collect the names and contact information of witnesses who may have seen the accident. 

4. Notify your insurance company. When reporting the accident to your insurance company, provide them with all the necessary information about the accident. Make sure that you notify the insurer within a reasonable amount of time.  

5. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney. The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming. You may not know what to do or where to turn. Contacting an attorney can ensure that your rights are protected because your attorney will represent you in any negotiations or court proceedings and help you obtain the compensation you need to get your life back on track.  

The steps you take following your motorcycle accident can have a profound impact on the outcome of your legal claim.  

Idaho Motorcycle Laws

Idaho prohibits lane sharing, which is commonly referred to as lane splitting, for motorcyclists. In other words, you cannot ride a motorcycle between rows and lanes of traffic. However, a motorcycle may share a lane with another motorcycle.  

It is also illegal to transport any objects that interfere with the rider’s ability to hold both handlebars. If a motorcyclist rides with a passenger, the motorcycle must be equipped with a permanently attached seat and footrests for the passenger. Unlike other states, Idaho does not place restrictions on the passenger’s age. At the same time, it would be unsafe to ride with a passenger who is not large enough to reach footrests and unable to behave predictably.  

Under Idaho law, motorcyclists and mopeds must have the following: 

• a minimum of one red taillight and a red stop lamp; 

• a minimum of one reflector on the rear;  

• a headlight bright enough to reveal a person/vehicle at least 100 feet ahead when traveling at the speed of 25 mph or less;  

• a minimum of one mirror that allows the operator to see the highway for a minimum of 200 feet to the rear;  

• a horn loud enough to be heard up to 200 feet away; 

• fenders on all wheels;  

• one or more brakes operated by foot or hand; and, 

• a muffler with the noise level that was originally set by the motorcycle manufacturer.  

Failure to follow motorcycle laws or comply with the above-mentioned requirements increases the risk of a preventable motorcycle accident. Consult with our personal injury attorneys at Shep Law Group if you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident and legal help is needed.  

Determining Fault in Idaho

Idaho follows the traditional fault-based system when it comes to responsibility for financial damages and losses stemming from motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents.  

In Idaho, the fault in a motorcycle accident is determined using a comparative negligence system. Under this system, each party to the accident is assigned a percentage of fault, based on their actions leading up to the accident. This percentage determines the amount of financial compensation that the individual can recover.  

Example: A motorcycle accident resulted in $8,000 in medical expenses and other losses for the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist is found to be 20% at fault, which means their compensation will be reduced by 20 percent and totals $6,400.  

To recover compensation after a motorcycle accident, the injured party must provide evidence that the other party was negligent. This means showing that the other party breached their duty of care and that this breach caused the accident. Proving negligence can be done through various means, such as witness testimony, police reports, accident reconstruction experts, and others.  

A skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Boise & Meridian, Idaho, can help you gather the evidence you need to prove the other party’s negligence and recover the compensation you deserve.