Cocolalla, ID — A man was hospitalized following an accident with a semi-truck in Cocolalla, Idaho, on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. The accident took place on Highway 95.
The man who was injured was identified as 29-year old Bonner County Sheriff’s Deputy Alexander Hughes. Hughes was traveling south on 95 and had slowed to make a u-turn. He was rear-ended by a semi being driven by Adil Naib.
Paramedics rushed Hughes to Kootenai Health. At last report he was listed in critical condition.
No other injuries were reported.
At this time, the accident being investigated by Idaho State Police.
Approximate Scene of the Accident
Commentary
Unfortunately, even when fault in an accident is well-established, victims can’t sit back and assume that everything is just going to sort itself out. I was once involved in a semi-truck accident in which the truck pulled out in front of a motorcyclist, who then crashed into the back of its trailer and died. Police found the truck at fault, but the trucking company conducted their own investigation into the accident, “found” that the motorcyclist was speeding, and used those “findings” to deny the victim’s family’s claim. That’s the sort of thing people have to watch out for. Trucking companies have quite a bit of money on the line whenever something like this happens, so they’re eager to push as much liability off of themselves as possible. Independently-run investigations are going to be of incredible help in these situations. Because a trucking company is only going to be compelled to make things right with a victim when they’re convinced that dragging an accident in front of a jury is going to be more expensive.
— Grossman Law Offices
