What to Do If I Got Injured at the Snake River in Idaho Falls?

Snake River is 1,080 miles long and the largest tributary of the Columbia River. It spans from Yellowstone National Park, flows across Snake River Plain in southern Idaho, and runs through Hells Canyon at the borders of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, finally ending at the Palouse Hills of southeast Washington. In addition to being a beautiful natural setting, it is also a favorite recreational area. A single salmon fishing season generated $90 million in economic boosts to Idaho.    If you were injured while visiting Snake River, you might wonder about your legal rights and the steps you should take to protect your legal rights. It can be challenging to navigate the personal injury claims process while dealing with financial losses, physical pain, and emotional suffering and focusing on healing. A personal injury lawyer can help make this process more manageable.    Here is what you need to know if you are in this situation. 

Common Causes of Injuries on Rivers

Because Snake River is so massive, there are many opportunities for potential injuries.    Leading causes of injuries include:  

• Motor vehicle accidents – Visitors may be injured in motor vehicle accidents heading to and from the park, in parking lots, or in areas around the river they are driving through.
• Bicycle accidents – You could be hit by a motorist or fall off your bike while cycling on a trail.
• Slips and falls – You could slip and fall on sidewalks, walking trails, at the dams, or other unsafe locations at the river.
• Recreational boating accidents – Various businesses rent out boats and water sports equipment, which could be defective or poorly maintained, causing an accident. 
• Criminal attacks – Criminals may mug or assault visitors, especially in areas with minimal or no security.

  Regardless of the type of injury you suffer, it is important you take steps to protect your legal rights.

Report the Accident 

Report the accident to authorities. You can report the accident to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District. Follow up with a written report of your injuries soon after the accident if you could only give a verbal notification when the accident first happened because you have a much shorter time limit to file a claim involving public property vs. private property.

Seek Medical Attention 

Your health is the priority. Do not delay in seeking medical attention. Follow your doctor’s instructions, and keep all your medical records to help substantiate your claim. 

Document Your Injuries

Take pictures of the incident, including any factors that could have contributed to your injuries. These pictures may help show how the parties responsible for maintaining the property violated this duty and are responsible for compensating you for the injuries you sustained. Entities that own public properties are responsible for ensuring their premises are reasonably safe for visitors. They can be held legally responsible for accidents caused by negligent maintenance or other acts of negligence.   As you begin to heal from your injuries, keep up with all of your records related to the accident, including receipts for medical bills, property damage repair estimates, communications with the insurance company, and photos of the accident. 

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have a claim involving the government or Snake River, your case will likely be more complicated than if you were dealing with a private party. Special notice, form, and procedural requirements may apply. An experienced Idaho Falls personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the complex process of filing a premises liability claim. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your next steps.

Contact the Utah Personal Injury Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today

For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker & McConkie to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have 5 convenient locations in Utah, including Midvale, Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo, UT. Clients can also visit our offices in Idaho Falls, ID & Rock Springs, WY.

We proudly serve Weber County, Utah County, Salt Lake County in Utah, Bonneville County in Idaho, Sweetwater County in Wyoming , and its surrounding areas:

Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City Office 466 S. 500 E., Suite 100, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 (801) 851-1202 Hours: 24/7 Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Midvale Office 7090 Union Park Ave, #160, Midvale, UT 84047 (801) 845-0440 Hours: 24/7 Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Ogden Office 2510 S Washington Blvd, Suite 160, Ogden, UT 84401 (385) 402-8187 Hours: 24/7 Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Provo Office 37 E Center St, Suite 300, Provo, UT 84606 (801) 876-4107 Hours: 24/7 Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Rock Springs Office 531 N Front St, Rock Springs, WY 82901 (307) 205-7400 Hours: 24/7 Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Idaho Falls Office 2235 East 25th St. Suite #280, Idaho Falls, ID 83404 (208) 418-0633 Hours: 24/7