When an 80,000-pound truck loses control on I-84 near Hailey, there’s no margin for error. One moment you’re driving through the Sawtooth Mountains. The next, your life changes forever.
We’re Attorney911, and we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims across America. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes. We’ve taken on Fortune 500 companies like BP after the Texas City refinery explosion. We know what it takes to win against trucking companies—and we’re ready to fight for you here in Blaine County.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Blaine County Are Different
Blaine County isn’t flat highway driving. You’ve got mountain passes. You’ve got tourists heading to Sun Valley who don’t know the roads. You’ve got agricultural trucks hauling potatoes down from the high country. And you’ve got winter weather that turns I-84 into an ice rink without warning.
When a truck driver doesn’t respect these conditions, people get hurt. The physics are brutal: your car weighs maybe 4,000 pounds. A loaded semi weighs 80,000 pounds. That’s not a collision—it’s a demolition.
We’ve seen what happens when trucking companies hire unqualified drivers, when they skip brake maintenance to save money, or when they push drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations. In Blaine County, these mistakes are magnified by steep grades and sudden storms.
The Clock Is Running: Evidence Disappears in 48 Hours
Here’s what most people don’t know: the trucking company already has lawyers working on your case. They dispatch rapid-response teams to the scene before the ambulance even leaves. Their goal? Protect their interests, not yours.
Critical evidence—black box data, ELD logs, driver qualification files—can be overwritten or destroyed within 30 days. Some trucking companies “accidentally” delete dashcam footage within days. Every hour you wait, evidence slips away.
That’s why we send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. We preserve ECM data showing speed and braking. We lock down GPS records. We subpoena cell phone records proving distraction. We don’t give trucking companies a chance to hide the truth.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We See in Blaine County
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck brakes hard on ice—common on I-84 near Bellevue—the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab. We’ve seen jackknifes block entire mountain passes, causing multi-car pileups. These accidents often involve 49 CFR § 393.48 violations (brake system failures) or § 392.6 (driving too fast for conditions).
Rollover Crashes
The curves around Ketchum and Sun Valley aren’t forgiving. A truck taking the Hailey curve too fast with an unbalanced load? That’s a rollover waiting to happen. These crashes frequently violate 49 CFR § 393.100 (cargo securement rules).
Underride Collisions
When a passenger vehicle slides under a truck’s trailer, the results are catastrophic. Rear underride guards are required under 49 CFR § 393.86, but many trucks have defective or missing guards. Side underride—where a car hits the side of the trailer—has no federal guard requirement and often causes decapitation injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
A loaded truck needs nearly two football fields to stop from highway speed. When a trucker follows too closely or gets distracted on the straight stretches of I-84 near Carey, they can’t stop in time. This violates 49 CFR § 392.11 (following too closely).
Tire Blowouts
Temperature swings in the mountains—hot days, cold nights—stress truck tires. Underinflated tires overheat and explode. The debris causes secondary accidents. We investigate maintenance records to prove violations of 49 CFR § 393.75 and § 396.13 (tire inspection requirements).
Brake Failure on Mountain Grades
Trucks descending from the mountains into the valley overheat their brakes. Without proper inspection and adjustment—required under 49 CFR § 396.3—they suffer brake fade or total failure. Runaway truck ramps exist for a reason, but too often drivers don’t use them until it’s too late.
Federal Regulations That Protect You
Commercial trucking isn’t the Wild West. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates strict safety rules under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification
Trucking companies must verify commercial drivers are medically fit, properly licensed, and trained. They must maintain Driver Qualification Files proving background checks, previous employment verification, and medical certifications. When companies skip these steps to fill seats quickly, they’re liable for negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 392: Safe Operation
Drivers can’t operate while fatigued (§ 392.3), under the influence (§ 392.4/5), or while texting (§ 392.82). They must adjust speed for weather conditions—critical in Blaine County’s winter storms.
49 CFR Part 393: Vehicle Maintenance
Before every trip, drivers must inspect brakes, tires, lights, and cargo securement. cargo must be secured to withstand 0.8g forward deceleration forces. Worn brakes, missing reflective tape, or improperly tiedown loads violate federal law.
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service
Truckers can’t drive more than 11 hours after 10 hours off duty. They can’t drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on shift. They need 30-minute breaks after 8 hours. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) track this data—and we subpoena those records to prove violations.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
Systematic maintenance programs are mandatory. Annual inspections must be documented. If a trucking company deferred brake repairs or ignored “Check Engine” lights, we find those records.
Who Can Be Held Responsible? (Hint: It’s Not Just the Driver)
Most law firms only sue the driver. We dig deeper. In 18-wheeler cases, multiple parties usually share blame:
The Truck Driver
Speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment—we prove their negligence with ELD data and toxicology screens.
The Trucking Company
Under “respondeat superior,” companies pay for their drivers’ mistakes. But we also pursue them for negligent hiring (did they check the driver’s record?), negligent training (did they teach mountain driving?), and negligent supervision (did they monitor HOS compliance?).
The Cargo Owner & Loading Company
If a distribution center in Twin Falls overloaded the trailer or failed to secure cargo properly, they’re liable under 49 CFR § 393.100-136.
The Maintenance Contractor
When third-party mechanics cut corners on brake adjustments or tire replacement, we hold them accountable.
The Freight Broker
Brokers who hire carriers with terrible safety records—knowing they’re dangerous—face liability for negligent selection.
The Truck Manufacturer
Defective brakes, faulty steering systems, or inadequate underride guards (product liability claims).
The Parts Manufacturer
Defective tires or brake components that fail under stress.
The Government
Idaho Transportation Department or Blaine County road crews may share liability for inadequate signage, poor road design, or failure to maintain safe mountain highways.
The Insurance Reality: $750K to $5 Million Minimums
Federal law requires trucking companies carry massive insurance policies—far more than regular cars. General freight requires $750,000. Oil and hazardous materials require $1 million to $5 million.
But here’s the catch: insurance companies don’t volunteer these funds. They hire adjusters trained to minimize payouts. They look for any reason to deny your claim.
That’s where our team has an unfair advantage. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working for national insurance defense firms. He knows their playbook. He knows the software they use to lowball settlements (Colossus and similar programs). He knows when they’re bluffing and when they’ll pay. As client Chad Harris told us: “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
Real Injuries, Real Results
We don’t deal in hypotheticals. We’ve recovered:
- $5+ Million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log
- $3.8+ Million for a client who suffered partial leg amputation after medical complications from a car crash
- $2.5+ Million for truck accident victims
- $2+ Million for a maritime worker with back injuries
These aren’t lottery winnings. They’re compensation for lives changed forever. As client Glenda Walker said: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Idaho Law: What Blaine County Victims Need to Know
Statute of Limitations
In Idaho, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wait longer, and you lose your rights forever.
Comparative Negligence
Idaho follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 50% bar. You can recover if you’re 49% or less at fault, but your damages get reduced by your fault percentage. If you’re 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. This makes evidence preservation critical—we need to prove the truck driver was primarily responsible.
Punitive Damages
Idaho caps punitive damages at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $250,000. But we’ll pursue them when trucking companies act with “oppression, fraud, or malice”—like destroying evidence or knowingly keeping dangerous drivers on the road.
Catastrophic Injuries We Handle
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Headaches, memory loss, personality changes, inability to work. Lifetime care costs can exceed $3 million.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Paraplegia, quadriplegia, loss of bladder control. Lifetime costs range from $1.1 million to $5 million+.
Amputations
Whether traumatic (severed at the scene) or surgical (due to crush injuries), amputations require prosthetics, rehabilitation, and home modifications costing millions.
Severe Burns
Fuel fires from ruptured tanks cause third and fourth-degree burns requiring skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.
Wrongful Death
When trucking accidents kill Idaho residents, surviving spouses, children, and parents can recover lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses.
Why Victims Across America Choose Attorney911
Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court in the Southern District of Texas, giving us jurisdiction over interstate trucking cases anywhere in the country.
We’re not a billboard firm juggling hundreds of cases per attorney. We’re selective. We treat you like family, not a case number. As Donald Wilcox said: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”
We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, but we handle cases nationwide. For Blaine County clients, we offer remote consultations and travel to Idaho for depositions and trial.
And we speak your language—literally. Luque Peña leads our Spanish-language services. Hablamos Español. No interpreters needed.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt
- Call 911 immediately (Blaine County Sheriff or Idaho State Police)
- Seek medical care—even if you feel okay; adrenaline masks serious injuries
- Document everything—photos of the scene, truck DOT numbers, witness contact info
- Don’t talk to the trucking company’s insurance—they’re recording everything
- Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911—we’ll send a preservation letter today
Learn more about your rights in our video series: “The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries” and “Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?”.
Frequently Asked Questions for Blaine County Truck Accident Victims
What’s the most common cause of truck accidents in Blaine County?
Driver fatigue and failure to adjust for mountain weather. The combination of long-haul trucking through Idaho’s mountain passes and sudden winter storms creates deadly conditions.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Two years under Idaho law. But don’t wait—evidence disappears fast.
Can I afford an attorney?
We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs.
What if the trucking company offers me a quick settlement?
Don’t sign anything. Early offers are designed to pay you pennies on the dollar before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Do I need a lawyer if the accident wasn’t my fault?
Absolutely. Trucking companies have teams of lawyers. You need someone fighting just as hard for you.
What if I’m partially at fault?
Under Idaho’s comparative negligence law, you can still recover if you’re less than 50% at fault. We’ll fight to minimize any fault assigned to you.
Can undocumented immigrants file claims?
Yes. Your immigration status doesn’t affect your right to compensation after a truck accident.
How long will my case take?
Simple cases settle in 6–12 months. Complex litigation involving multiple defendants can take 2–3 years. We’ll move as fast as possible without sacrificing value.
Your Fight Starts Now
The trucking company already has lawyers. They’re already building their defense. They’re hoping you’ll accept their first lowball offer or miss the statute of limitations.
Don’t let them win.
Ralph Manginello and our team at Attorney911 have the experience, resources, and insider knowledge to take on the biggest trucking companies—and win. We’ve recovered over $50 million for families just like yours. We’re ready to fight for every dime you deserve.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now. We answer 24/7. The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win.
Or reach us online at ralph@atty911.com. Hablamos Español—ask for Lupe Peña.
Your life changed in an instant. Let’s start getting you justice today.
