When an 80,000-pound commercial truck loses control on the winding stretches of US-95 near Moscow, or a grain hauler jackknifes on an icy grade in the Palouse Hills, lives change in an instant. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Latah County, you already know the devastation these crashes bring—crushing medical bills, lost wages, and a future that looks nothing like you planned.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours, including a $5+ million verdict for a traumatic brain injury victim and a $3.8+ million settlement for a client who lost a limb after a commercial vehicle collision. We know the tactics trucking companies use to minimize claims because our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years inside that system before choosing to fight for victims. That insider knowledge is your advantage when you’re going up against national carriers and their armies of adjusters.
Trucking accidents in Latah County aren’t like regular car crashes. They’re governed by complex federal regulations, involve multiple liable parties, and require immediate action to preserve critical evidence. Here’s what you need to know to protect your rights.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Latah County Are Catastrophically Different
The physics alone make these accidents devastating. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds—twenty times the weight of a standard passenger vehicle. When that mass collides with your car on Highway 8 or the steep grades near Kendrick, the force is lethal.
But it’s not just size. Latah County presents unique challenges for commercial trucking:
The US-95 Corridor: This major north-south freight route cuts through the heart of Latah County, connecting Canada to the United States. Heavy commercial traffic moves through Moscow, Troy, and Deary daily, with trucks carrying everything from timber to agricultural products across the border.
Agricultural Peak Seasons: During harvest, the roads around Genesee, Potlatch, and Princeton see a massive increase in commercial traffic—grain trucks, equipment haulers, and livestock carriers sharing narrow rural roads with passenger vehicles.
Winter Weather Extremes: The Palouse Hills create treacherous conditions from November through March. Black ice on US-95, blowing snow reducing visibility to near-zero near Juliaetta, and steep grades requiring specialized braking make Latah County particularly dangerous for heavy commercial vehicles.
University Traffic Mixed with Freight: Moscow is home to the University of Idaho, meaning student drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists share roads with massive 18-wheelers navigating tight turns and congested areas.
Trucking companies know these risks. They carry insurance policies worth millions—typically $750,000 to $5 million in coverage—because they know the damage their vehicles can cause. But accessing that money requires understanding the federal regulations that govern their industry, and you need an attorney who knows how to prove when those rules were broken.
The 18-Wheeler Accident Types We See in Latah County
Not all trucking accidents are the same. Based on our experience with cases throughout the Northwest and our understanding of Latah County’s unique geography, these are the crashes we encounter most frequently:
Jackknife Accidents on Icy Grades
When temperatures drop below freezing on the hills outside Bovill or Kendrick, a jackknife becomes terrifyingly likely. This happens when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across all lanes of traffic.
Jackknifes typically occur when drivers brake improperly on slick surfaces or when trucks are empty or lightly loaded—common scenarios for grain trucks heading to elevators after unloading. Under 49 CFR § 392.6, truck drivers must adjust their speed for weather and road conditions. When they don’t, and their trailer blocks US-95 during a whiteout, catastrophic multi-vehicle pileups result.
Rollover Accidents in the Palouse Hills
The rolling terrain of Latah County creates perfect conditions for rollovers. When a truck driver takes a curve too fast on Highway 8, or when liquid cargo “sloshes” in a tanker truck carrying agricultural chemicals, the center of gravity shifts.
Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 393.100-136 require proper cargo securement to prevent this exact scenario. If a load shifts because a trucking company failed to use adequate tiedowns, or if a driver exceeded safe speeds on a curve near Troy, they violated federal law—and that negligence makes them liable for your injuries.
Underride Collisions
Perhaps the most horrific truck accidents involve underride—when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath. These accidents often result in decapitation or severe head trauma because the trailer height impacts the passenger compartment at windshield level.
While 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards on modern trailers, many trucks still on the road lack side underride protection—a deadly gap in federal safety standards that has claimed lives on rural highways like US-95.
Rear-End Collisions
A loaded truck traveling 65 miles per hour needs nearly two football fields—525 feet—to come to a complete stop. Compare that to a passenger car that stops in roughly half that distance.
When distracted or fatigued drivers navigate the long stretches between Moscow and the Canadian border, they often follow too closely. 49 CFR § 392.11 prohibits following more closely than is “reasonable and prudent,” yet rear-end collisions remain common, especially in construction zones or during sudden stops near the University of Idaho campus.
Wide Turn Accidents
The tight streets of downtown Moscow and the narrow rural roads around Deary force trucks to swing wide before completing right turns. When drivers fail to signal properly or check their mirrors, they create deadly “squeeze play” situations where passenger vehicles get crushed between the truck and the curb—or worse, between the truck and oncoming traffic.
Blind Spot Collisions
18-wheelers have massive blind spots—20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and large zones on either side. When truckers change lanes without checking these “no-zones,” they can push smaller vehicles off the road or into opposing traffic on US-95.
49 CFR § 393.80 requires proper mirror adjustment, but training deficiencies lead to these crashes, particularly with inexperienced drivers hired during peak agricultural seasons.
Tire Blowout Accidents
The extreme temperature variations in North Idaho—scorching radiators in summer, freezing rubber in winter—cause tire failures. When a steer tire blows on a loaded grain truck descending into the Snake River canyon, the driver loses immediate control.
49 CFR § 393.75 mandates minimum tread depth and proper tire maintenance, yet we see carriers running tires beyond safe limits to cut costs, creating deadly “road gators”—chunks of shredded tire that cause secondary accidents.
Brake Failure Accidents
Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes. The steep grades entering Latah County from the west and south require special braking techniques. When trucking companies defer maintenance or drivers ride their brakes improperly, brake fade occurs—and 80,000 pounds of uncontrolled steel careens downhill.
49 CFR § 396.3 requires systematic inspection and maintenance, including pre-trip brake checks under 49 CFR § 396.13. Violations of these regulations prove negligence.
Cargo Spill and Shift Accidents
During harvest season, the roads around Genesee and Princeton see countless trucks hauling wheat, barley, lentils, and peas. When loaders fail to secure this cargo properly, or when trucks exceed weight limits, spills occur.
Shifting cargo also causes rollovers when drivers navigate the curves of the Palouse. 49 CFR § 393.102 establishes performance criteria requiring cargo securement systems to withstand 0.8 g deceleration forward and 0.5 g laterally—standards that prevent exactly these accidents when followed.
Head-On Collisions
Fatigued drivers drifting across the centerline on US-95 during the long haul from Spokane to Canada cause devastating head-on crashes. These often occur at highway speeds with closing velocities exceeding 120 miles per hour, leaving little chance for survival in the smaller vehicle.
49 CFR § 392.3 prohibits operating while fatigued, yet hours-of-service violations remain rampant in the trucking industry.
Federal Regulations That Prove Trucking Company Negligence
Trucking isn’t just regulated by Idaho state law—federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) create strict safety standards. When trucking companies violate these rules, they prove their own negligence.
49 CFR Part 390 — General Applicability
These regulations apply to all commercial motor vehicles operating in interstate commerce, including any truck with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,001 pounds. If a truck crossed state lines—which most commercial carriers in Latah County do regularly when hauling to Spokane, Pullman, or Canada—these rules apply.
49 CFR Part 391 — Driver Qualification Standards
Before a driver can legally operate an 18-wheeler, the trucking company must maintain a Driver Qualification File containing:
- Medical examiner’s certificates (proof the driver is physically fit)
- Driving record checks from previous employers
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Training documentation
Under 49 CFR § 391.11, drivers must be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce, speak English sufficiently, and possess a valid CDL. When trucking companies hire unqualified drivers or fail to maintain these files, they commit negligent hiring—a direct basis for liability.
49 CFR Part 392 — Driving Rules
This section contains the “rules of the road” for commercial drivers:
- § 392.3: No driving while fatigued or impaired
- § 392.4: No drugs or Schedule I substances
- § 392.5: No alcohol within four hours of driving
- § 392.6: No speeding or scheduling routes that require excessive speed
- § 392.11: No following too closely
- § 392.80 & 392.82: No texting or hand-held mobile phone use while driving
When we subpoena cell phone records and find a driver was texting when they rear-ended you on US-95, that’s a federal violation proving negligence.
49 CFR Part 393 — Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement
These regulations mandate:
- Brake systems must function properly (§ 393.40-55)
- Lighting and reflectors must work (§ 393.11-26)
- Cargo must be secured to withstand 0.8g forward deceleration (§ 393.102)
- Rear impact guards must meet standards (§ 393.86)
49 CFR Part 395 — Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations
These are the most commonly violated rules:
- 11-hour driving limit: Cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- 14-hour duty window: Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
- 30-minute break: Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- 60/70-hour weekly limits: Cannot drive after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days
- 34-hour restart: Minimum 34 hours off duty to reset the weekly clock
Since 2017, 49 CFR § 395.8 requires Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) that automatically record driving time. This data is objective proof of violations—and it can be overwritten in as little as 30 days if we don’t send a spoliation letter immediately.
49 CFR Part 396 — Inspection and Maintenance
Trucking companies must:
- Inspect vehicles systematically (§ 396.3)
- Conduct annual inspections (§ 396.17)
- Maintain records for 14 months (§ 396.3)
- Drivers must conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections (§ 396.13, § 396.11)
When we find maintenance records showing deferred brake repairs or ignored tire warnings, we prove the company knew their truck was unsafe.
Every Party Who Might Be Liable for Your Latah County Trucking Accident
Unlike car accidents where usually only one driver is at fault, trucking accidents involve multiple potentially liable parties. We investigate every single one because more defendants means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for you.
The Truck Driver
The person behind the wheel may be personally liable for:
- Speeding or reckless driving on US-95
- Distracted driving (texting, eating, using dispatch communications)
- Fatigued driving beyond federal limits
- Impaired driving (drugs, alcohol, or even prescription medications)
- Failure to adjust for weather conditions
The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
This is often your primary defendant because they carry the deepest insurance pockets (typically $750,000 to $5 million). Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts. Plus, trucking companies can be directly negligent for:
- Negligent Hiring: Failing to check driving records or hiring drivers with suspended licenses
- Negligent Training: Inadequate training on mountain driving, winter conditions, or FMCSA compliance
- Negligent Supervision: Failing to monitor ELD data for hours-of-service violations
- Negligent Maintenance: Deferring repairs to save money
- Negligent Scheduling: Pressuring drivers to violate HOS regulations to meet delivery deadlines
The Cargo Owner or Shipper
Agricultural operations around Genesee and Princeton often hire trucks to haul their grain. If they demanded overloaded trucks, provided improper loading instructions, or failed to disclose hazardous cargo characteristics, they’re liable.
The Loading Company
Third-party warehouses or elevator operators who physically load cargo may be liable for:
- Improper weight distribution causing rollovers
- Failure to use adequate securing devices (chains, straps, blocking)
- Exceeding vehicle weight ratings
The Truck or Trailer Manufacturer
If defective brakes, tires, or safety systems caused the crash, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law. We’ve seen cases where steering mechanisms failed on steep grades or anti-lock brake systems malfunctioned.
The Maintenance Company
Third-party shops that service trucking fleets may be liable for negligent repairs—such as improper brake adjustments that led to brake fade on Latah County hills, or installing incorrect parts.
The Freight Broker
Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection—hiring a carrier with a poor safety record, ignoring FMCSA safety ratings, or choosing the cheapest bidder without verifying insurance.
The Truck Owner
In owner-operator arrangements, the driver owns the truck but contracts with larger carriers. Both the owner and the contracting company may share liability.
Government Entities
If dangerous road design contributed to your accident—such as inadequate guardrails on steep grades, missing signage on curves near Troy, or failure to clear ice on US-95—the Idaho Department of Transportation or Latah County may share liability, though sovereign immunity limits and short notice requirements apply in Idaho.
Why You Must Act Within 48 Hours—Evidence Disappears Fast
Trucking companies have rapid-response teams that deploy to accident scenes within hours. They know evidence is their enemy, so they work fast to control the narrative.
Critical timelines you must understand:
- ECM/Black Box Data: Can be overwritten in 30 days or with new driving events
- ELD Data: FMCSA requires only 6-month retention
- Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
- Surveillance Video: Businesses along US-95 typically overwrite cameras in 7-30 days
- Witness Memories: Fade significantly within weeks
- Physical Evidence: Trucks often get repaired or sold, destroying damage evidence
When you hire Attorney911, we immediately send spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This legal notice puts them on notice that destroying evidence will result in severe consequences—including court sanctions and adverse inference instructions telling the jury to assume destroyed evidence was unfavorable.
We also immediately subpoena:
- Electronic Control Module (ECM) data showing speed, braking, and throttle position
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records proving hours-of-service violations
- Driver Qualification Files showing hiring negligence
- Maintenance records revealing deferred repairs
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Cell phone records for distracted driving evidence
The trucking company is building their defense right now. What are you doing? Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to preserve your evidence before it disappears.
Catastrophic Injuries Common in Latah County Trucking Accidents
The force of an 80,000-pound truck impact causes life-altering injuries. We handle cases involving:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
From concussions to severe diffuse axonal injuries, TBI can cause:
- Memory loss and cognitive impairment
- Personality changes and mood disorders
- Chronic headaches and dizziness
- Inability to work or maintain relationships
Our firm has secured settlements ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million for TBI victims, because these injuries require lifelong care and support.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The violent forces in trucking accidents often fracture vertebrae or sever the spinal cord, causing:
- Paraplegia (loss of function below the waist)
- Quadriplegia (loss of function in all four limbs)
- Chronic pain and nerve damage
These cases command settlements from $4.7 million to $25.8 million due to the massive lifetime care costs.
Amputations
When trucks crush vehicles or drag them under trailers, victims often lose limbs. Whether surgical amputation after crush injuries or traumatic amputation at the scene, these injuries require:
- Multiple prosthetics over a lifetime ($50,000+ each)
- Extensive rehabilitation
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Career retraining or total disability
We have recovered $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation victims.
Severe Burns
Fuel tank ruptures and chemical cargo spills cause catastrophic burns requiring:
- Skin graft surgeries
- Reconstructive procedures
- Treatment for contractures and scarring
Internal Organ Damage
Blunt force trauma from trucking accidents frequently causes:
- Liver and spleen lacerations
- Kidney damage
- Lung contusions
- Internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery
Wrongful Death
When trucking accidents prove fatal, surviving family members face:
- Loss of income and household services
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma
- Funeral and burial expenses
We have secured wrongful death settlements ranging from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, holding trucking companies accountable when their negligence takes a life.
Idaho Law and Your Latah County Trucking Accident Case
Understanding Idaho’s specific legal framework is crucial for maximizing your recovery.
Statute of Limitations
In Idaho, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, you have two years from the date of death. While this seems like a long time, critical evidence disappears within days. Do not wait.
Comparative Negligence (50% Bar Rule)
Idaho follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 50% bar. This means:
- If you are found less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault
- If you are found 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing
Trucking companies and their insurers will try to blame you—claiming you were speeding, didn’t signal, or failed to avoid the collision. We fight these allegations by subpoenaing ECM data and dashcam footage that objectively proves what happened.
Damage Caps
Idaho caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment) at $250,000 in general personal injury cases, though this amount adjusts periodically. However:
- Economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) are uncapped
- Punitive damages may be available if the trucking company acted with “oppression, fraud, or malice”—such as knowingly hiring a dangerous driver or falsifying safety records
While the non-economic cap exists, skilled attorneys maximize recovery by documenting every economic loss and pursuing multiple liable parties to access various insurance policies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Latah County Trucking Accidents
Q: What should I do immediately after a truck accident on US-95 in Latah County?
If you’re able, call 911 immediately to report the crash and request medical attention. Even if you feel fine, get checked—adrenaline masks serious injuries. Photograph the truck’s DOT number, license plates, and company name. Get witness contact information from anyone who stopped. Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance. Then call 1-888-ATTY-911 before evidence disappears.
Q: Who can I sue after an 18-wheeler accident in Latah County?
Multiple parties may share liability: the driver, the trucking company, the owner of the cargo (such as agricultural operations around Genesee), the company that loaded the truck, the maintenance company, the truck manufacturer, the freight broker, and potentially government entities if road design contributed. We investigate every potential defendant to maximize your insurance coverage.
Q: How much insurance do trucking companies carry?
Federal law requires minimum liability coverage of $750,000 for non-hazardous freight, $1 million for oil and large equipment, and $5 million for hazardous materials. Many carriers carry $1-5 million or more. This coverage is significantly higher than typical auto policies, allowing for meaningful compensation for catastrophic injuries.
Q: Can I still recover if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, under Idaho law, as long as you are found less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. Even if you were speeding or failed to signal, the truck driver’s negligence—such as running a red light or driving fatigued—may still make them primarily responsible.
Q: What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Even if the driver owns their truck, the trucking company they were hauling for may still be liable under theories of negligent hiring or supervision, or through their insurance coverage. Additionally, the driver’s own insurance and their motor carrier authority provide coverage. We identify every available policy.
Q: How do you prove the truck driver was fatigued?
We subpoena Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data that tracks driving hours in real-time. We also review dispatch records, fuel receipts, and toll records to prove the driver exceeded the 11-hour driving limit or the 14-hour duty window. Cell phone records may also show they were driving while distracted.
Q: What is the “black box” and why does it matter?
Commercial trucks have Electronic Control Modules (ECM) that record speed, braking, throttle position, and engine performance. This data often contradicts the driver’s version of events—proving they were speeding when they claimed they weren’t, or that they never slowed before impact. This objective evidence wins cases.
Q: How long will my trucking accident case take to resolve?
Simple cases with clear liability and moderate injuries may settle in 6-12 months. Complex cases involving catastrophic injuries, multiple defendants, or disputed liability can take 18-36 months. While we work efficiently, we never rush to settle for less than you deserve. As client Angel Walle said about our approach, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
Q: How much will it cost to hire Attorney911 for my Latah County case?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—33.33% if we settle pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you. We advance all investigation costs, including expert fees and deposition expenses. You never receive a bill from us.
Q: Do you handle Spanish-speaking clients in Latah County?
Sí. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para hablar con Lupe Peña.
Q: What if the trucking company is from out of state?
Federal jurisdiction applies to interstate trucking, and we can pursue cases against carriers from Texas, Washington, or anywhere in the country. Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court, and our firm has the resources to litigate against national carriers regardless of their headquarters location.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Latah County Trucking Accident
When you’re facing a trucking company with millions in insurance and teams of lawyers, you need more than just an attorney—you need a fighter.
Ralph Manginello brings 25+ years of experience fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court (Southern District of Texas), which matters because most interstate trucking cases involve federal regulations and can be filed in federal court. He’s gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations, including BP, and recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours.
Lupe Peña provides the insider advantage. He spent years working for a national insurance defense firm before joining Attorney911. He knows exactly how trucking insurers evaluate claims, minimize payouts, and deny legitimate cases. He watched adjusters use software programs to lowball victims. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you.
We treat you like family, not a file number. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” When Glenda Walker needed someone to fight for maximum compensation, she found that “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
We take cases other firms reject. Donald Wilcox came to us after “one company said they would not accept my case.” We not only accepted it—we secured what he called “this handsome check.”
We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against a major university (filed November 2025), demonstrating our capacity to handle high-stakes, complex litigation against well-funded defendants.
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve trucking accident victims throughout Idaho and across the United States. We offer remote consultations and travel to Latah County for your case.
Call Attorney911 Today—Don’t Let Evidence Disappear
The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. The clock is ticking—black box data can be overwritten in 30 days, witnesses forget details, and crash scenes change.
If you’ve been seriously injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Latah County—whether on US-95 near Moscow, Highway 8 near Troy, or the back roads around Bovill—call Attorney911 immediately.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now. We answer 24/7 because trucking accidents don’t follow business hours.
Or call (888) 288-9911 to speak directly with our team.
Or call 888-ATTY-911 if you prefer.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para hablar con Lupe Peña.
The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win. And we’re ready to fight for every dime you deserve.
Don’t let the trucking company win. Call Attorney911 today.
