Find out how to fulfill your legal obligations when you are involved in a car accident in Idaho.
Every motorist in Idaho has legal duties after a motor vehicle collision. Failing to fulfill these obligations can result in unfortunate legal consequences. To avoid any penalties, it is crucial that you understand your responsibilities after a crash.
Keep reading to learn the basic legal requirements after an Idaho car accident. For further details, you can also review Chapter 13 of the Idaho Motor Vehicle Code and Chapter 80 of the Idaho Crimes and Punishment Code.
1. Idaho Driver Exchange of Information Law
After a car accident, you must stop your vehicle as soon as possible without obstructing traffic. If anyone was hurt or killed in the crash or there was vehicle damage, you are required to exchange information with the other parties involved and cannot leave until you have fulfilled this duty.
Idaho law requires you to give other drivers or passengers your name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information. Additionally, you must display your driver’s license.
The driver of any vehicle that has been involved in an accident who knows or has reason to know that said accident has resulted in injury to or death of any person shall:
- Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible. Every stop required under this section shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
- Remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled all the requirements under this section.
- Give his name, address, the name of his insurance agent or company if he has automobile liability insurance, and the motor vehicle registration number of the vehicle he is driving to the driver or occupant of any vehicle collided with.
- If available, exhibit his driver’s license to the driver or occupant of any vehicle collided with.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to any vehicle shall, at the scene of the accident, give his name, address and, if available, exhibit his driver’s license, proof of registration and certificate or proof of liability insurance to the person struck or to the driver or person attending any vehicle collided with.
2. Idaho Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
If you are involved in a car accident, Idaho law requires you to render aid to anyone who is hurt. To fulfill this duty, you must either transport the injured person to a hospital or arrange another form of transportation, such as an ambulance. You must help anyone who asks for transportation or is clearly in need of treatment.
The driver of any vehicle that has been involved in an accident shall render to any person injured reasonable assistance, including the conveying or the making of arrangements for the conveying of such person to a hospita, for medical treatment, if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if conveying is requested by the injured person.
3. Idaho Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
You must report an Idaho car accident to the police if someone was hurt or killed or there was property damage totaling more than $1,500. In a crash meeting these requirements, you must immediately notify the nearest law enforcement agency, whether that be the local police department, the county sheriff, or the state police.
Additionally, if you are the passenger in an accident that renders the driver unable to notify the police, you must notify law enforcement yourself.
The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to the property in excess of $1,500 shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of the accident to the local police department if the accident occurs within a city, otherwise to the office of the county sheriff or the nearest office of the state police.
Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of giving immediate notice of an accident, and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident capable of doing so, the occupant shall give or cause to be given the notice not given by the driver.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Idaho?
Idaho law treats failing to report an accident as a misdemeanor offense. If convicted of not reporting an accident, you could face fines or jail time.
It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this title unless otherwise specifically provided.
4. Idaho Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
After any collision causing damage to another vehicle in Idaho, you must stop as close to the scene of the accident as practicable, then return to the crash. You also need to provide the other people involved in the crash with your name and address and show them your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration, if available.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle shall immediately stop at the scene of the accident, or as close as possible, and remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of law.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to any vehicle shall, at the scene of the accident, give his name, address and, if available, exhibit his driver’s license, proof of registration and certificate or proof of liability insurance to the person struck or to the driver or person attending any vehicle collided with.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Idaho?
If you hit a parked car, Idaho law requires you to provide your information to the vehicle’s owner. However, if you cannot locate the owner, you must leave a note on the car where they will be able to find it.
Either way, you must provide the parked car’s owner with your name and address and the name and address of your car’s owner if you don’t own the vehicle.
The driver of any vehicle which collides with any unattended vehicle shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of the vehicle of the name and address of the driver and owner, or shall leave in a conspicuous place on the vehicle a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and the owner, along with the circumstances.
It’s essential that you don’t ignore your legal obligations after a car accident in Idaho. To avoid severe legal penalties, you should familiarize yourself with the law now. That way, you will be prepared in the aftermath of a crash.
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