Rear-end car accidents.

While practicing injury law in Idaho, I have seen many different kinds of car accidents.  A large majority of those accidents are rear end accidents.  In fact, study show rear end collisions are the second most common accident, second only to backing accidents, in the United States. 

There are many causes for rear-end accidents. Drivers following too closely to the vehicle in front of them cause a majority of these crashes. Distractions also play a big role in these types of collisions. In addition, adverse road conditions and disregarding safe driving speeds can also play a part.

There are certain types of injuries that are typical to these types of accidents. For instance, being propelled forward, the vehicle occupants' unsupported heads lag until their necks reach a distortion limit and then are whipped forward. As a result of this force, many people suffer neck injuries, as well as back, shoulder, knee, spine and head trauma.

In order to reduce the risk for rear-end accidents; drivers can take precautions. For commercial drivers, written company policies and education programs about traffic safety and behind the wheel activities, such as cell phone use, are crucial. Both commercial and non-commercial drivers should remember to keep pace with traffic and avoid tailgating and distractions. These are all helpful ways to avoid rear-end collisions.

When a driver or their passengers are injured due to a rear-end crash, they may have to deal with property damage, lost time from work and medical bills. In these cases, a reputable personal injury attorney can help crash victims negotiate with insurance companies and protect victims' legal rights.

Be safe while doing your winter driving.

While winter in East Idaho and Wyoming can be exciting with all the skiing and snow activities, it is important to be careful when enjoying yourself, whether it be Targhee, Yellowstone, Jackson or where ever you're headed. Driving during this season leads to roads filled with drowsy drivers and related car accidents.

Drowsy driving is similar to the dangers of drunk or distracted driving. When a driver hasn't had enough rest and gets behind the wheel, his response times, judgment and ability to stay alert behind the wheel are significantly compromised. Here is a list of some dangers that can arise and some prevention tips related to the traffic safety problems:

The truth behind drowsy driving

• As much as one out of six fatal traffic accidents involve drowsy driving.
• A recent study found that more than 30 percent of drivers admit that they have driven while they were tired enough that it was hard to keep their eyes open.
• Another study found that 10 percent of drivers admitted that they had fallen asleep while driving in the past year.

What should you do to prevent drowsy driving?

• Generally, a person needs seven hours of sleep in order be well-rested and safe to drive.
• Don't drive if you feel too tired. Get a ride, or get some sleep before driving.
• Don't push yourself to drive for too long without taking a break to get up and stretch and/or get some sleep. Your destination will still be there whether you arrive sooner or later. Consider taking a driving break every two hours to avoid driving dangerously.

There are other driving tips related to drowsy driving prevention. But the surest and safest way to avoid accidents is to be honest with yourself and others when you feel too tired to drive.  If you're too tired, rest.

Medical Marijuana in Idaho?

Most states in the US have some form of medical marijuana.  Those states that allow you to have a prescription to posses marijuana will allow you to use medical marijuana if you follow the guidelines set up for each state.

Idaho on the other hand is one of the few states left that does NOT recognize medical marijuana.  What that means is that not only can you not qualify for medical marijuana use in Idaho, but if you are passing through Idaho with marijuana, your medical marijuana permit from another state will do little to help you.

As a criminal defense attorney in east idaho, I often see poeple traveling throught Idaho on their way to many different places including Yellowstone, Jackson and the like. It is important to remember when traveling through that you should leave your medical marijuana behind.  If you don't, you could be facing penalties and jail time.

Courts in Idaho Falls, Pocatello and the surrounding counties will often prosecute a medical marijuana charge just as they would a person without a medical marijuana permit.  If you find yourself in a situation where you forgot to remove your medical marijuana while driving through, it is important to take any charge seriously and address it like any other criminal charge.  Idaho is strict on marijuana and will attempt to enforce serious penalties, regardless of the amount, and regardless if its for medical use or not.

Provider Fraud and Medicaid Fraud in Idaho.

We just finished a Provider Fraud Case in Bannock County, Pocatello last week.  Had a social worker who worked for a private company.  She submitted false progress notes to her employer who paid her and then sent the form to medicaid to get reimbursed.  State wanted to say she defrauded medicaid by "knowingly, with intent to defraud...presented" a claim to medicaid for payment.  We argued she could have been charged for a crime by sumbitting a false claim to her employer, but it was not possible for her to defraud medicaid as she did not, could not and did not ask medicaid to pay her anything.
After three days of trial, the jury, after two hours of deliberation agreed she could not have committed Medicaid fraud and acquited.