Holding Impaired Drivers Accountable for the Harm They Cause
If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk driver in Meridian, Idaho, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery needs. A Meridian drunk driving accident attorney at The Law Firm Of Johnson & Lundgreen helps victims of impaired driving build strong claims, negotiate with insurers, and prepare cases for trial when necessary. With more than 25 years of personal injury experience each and a record of recovering millions for injured clients across the Treasure Valley, our team provides aggressive, compassionate representation from your first free consultation through final resolution. These are our favorite cases to work on. Holding a drunk accountable and recovering for the victims is extremely satisfying work. You will talk to either Russ Johnson or Scott Lundgreen when you call in for a free consultation.
Why Choose The Law Firm Of Johnson & Lundgreen
After a drunk driving accident in Meridian, you need an attorney who understands Idaho personal injury law and has the resources to take on insurance companies. The Law Firm Of Johnson & Lundgreen offers:
- More than 25 years of personal injury experience for each attorney, handling injury claims across Idaho
- Millions recovered for accident victims throughout the Treasure Valley since our founding in 1998
- No fee unless we win, so you pay nothing out of pocket
- Direct access to your attorneys throughout every stage of your case
- Three office locations in Boise, Meridian, and Nampa for convenient access
- Russell L. Johnson is qualified and designated as a civil trial specialist and a past president of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
- Scott Lundgreen practices only personal injury law and has done so for more than 25 years with a successful track record including recently forcing a drunk driver to sell a million dollar property to pay his victims
Our firm has the financial resources to pursue complex litigation, including cases that require expert crash reconstruction, toxicology analysis, and medical testimony. When you choose Johnson & Lundgreen, you gain a team committed to pursuing full accountability and maximizing the compensation you deserve after a drunk driving crash.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Crash?
Idaho law allows victims of drunk driving accidents to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses, including:
- Emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and ongoing rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including personal care
Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. Idaho caps non-economic damages in personal injury cases under Idaho Code Section 6-1603, with the limit adjusted annually. However, this cap does not apply when the defendant’s conduct amounts to willful or reckless misconduct or would constitute a felony, exceptions that are often relevant in serious drunk driving cases. Your attorney can explain how these rules apply to your specific situation.
Because driving while intoxicated can amount to willful or reckless misconduct, Idaho courts may, in appropriate cases, award punitive damages when the clear and convincing evidence standard under Idaho Code §6-1604 is met. These damages are capped at the greater of $250,000 or three times the compensatory damages in the case. Punitive damages serve to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar conduct, and they can significantly increase your total recovery.
How Do You Prove a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Meridian?
Building a successful drunk driving injury case requires strong evidence connecting the at-fault driver’s impairment to your injuries. Key types of proof include:
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results showing the driver exceeded Idaho’s legal limit of 0.08
- Police reports documenting signs of impairment, field sobriety test results, and arrest records
- Crash reconstruction analysis that establishes how the collision occurred
- Witness statements from bystanders, passengers, or first responders
- Medical records linking your injuries directly to the accident
- Surveillance or dashcam footage of the accident and/or DUI arrest
- Data recovered from a vehicle’s black box or other recording device
A criminal DUI conviction can strengthen your civil claim, but it is not required. Even if the drunk driver avoids criminal penalties, you can still pursue a personal injury case based on the civil standard of proof, which requires showing the driver was more likely than not at fault.
What Happens If the Drunk Driver Has No Insurance?
Impaired drivers who cause serious crashes are sometimes uninsured or carry minimum coverage that falls far short of your actual damages. When this happens, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may provide a path to compensation. Idaho law requires insurance companies to include UM/UIM coverage on most auto policies unless the named insured rejects it in writing. Many Meridian drivers carry this protection without realizing they can use it after a drunk driving crash.
Filing a UM/UIM claim involves negotiating with your own insurance company, which does not always act in your best interest. An experienced attorney can review your policy, calculate your full damages, and handle negotiations to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
In some cases, victims may also have a claim against a bar or restaurant under Idaho’s dram shop law if the establishment served alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated before the crash. However, Idaho Code Section 23-808(5) imposes a strict 180-day notice requirement. You must notify the establishment by certified mail within 180 days of the accident or your dram shop claim is permanently barred, even if the two-year statute of limitations has not yet expired. This deadline makes early legal consultation critical in any drunk driving case involving a bar or restaurant.
What to Expect During the Legal Process
The timeline for a Meridian drunk driving accident claim depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the complexity of the evidence, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. In general, the process follows these steps:
- Initial consultation and case evaluation at no cost to you
- Investigation and evidence gathering, including police reports, medical records, and expert analysis
- Filing an insurance claim or lawsuit within Idaho’s two-year statute of limitations
- Negotiation with the at-fault driver’s insurer or your own UM/UIM carrier
- Trial preparation and litigation if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Idaho follows a modified comparative fault rule under Idaho Code Section 6-801, which means you can recover damages as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent. Any compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Our attorneys work to minimize fault attributed to you and pursue the maximum compensation available under the circumstances.
Talk to a Meridian Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
In 2024, impaired driving crashes killed 86 people in Idaho and accounted for 36% of all traffic fatalities statewide. If you were hurt by a drunk driver in Meridian, you do not have to navigate the claims process alone. Contact The Law Firm Of Johnson & Lundgreen for a free case evaluation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident lawsuit in Idaho?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Idaho Code Section 5-219. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to recover compensation, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the crash.
Can I sue a drunk driver even if they were not convicted of DUI?
Yes. A civil personal injury claim uses a different standard of proof than a criminal case. You need to show that the driver’s impairment more likely than not caused the accident and your injuries. A DUI conviction can help your case, but it is not a requirement for recovering compensation.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Idaho’s modified comparative fault law allows you to recover damages as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the crash. Your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 10% at fault, your award would be reduced by 10%. You are barred from recovering damages if your fault is 50% or greater.