Two years. That is Idaho's general deadline to sue for a crash injury, and waiting can cost you evidence fast. If a utility truck hit you around Twin Falls, the claim can still be worth pursuing even if Medicare already paid some bills.

In the next 24 hours: Get the crash report number from Twin Falls Police Department or Idaho State Police, especially if it happened on I-84 near the Snake River Canyon, where wind and blowing dust often become part of the blame story. Take photos of your vehicle, bruising, medication bottles, cane or walker use, and anything now harder at home like stairs, bathing, or cooking.

Do not give the company insurer a recorded statement yet.

Ask for the utility truck driver's employer name, truck number, and any witnesses. A company vehicle claim may involve driver logs, dispatch records, onboard cameras, and maintenance records that disappear if nobody demands they be kept.

In the next week: Request all medical records and start a simple daily log. Write down pain levels, sleep problems, canceled plans, and any help you now need with cleaning, driving, groceries, or dressing. Those losses matter.

This is the right many people miss: in Idaho, your claim is not limited to unpaid medical bills. You can also seek payment for pain and suffering, future treatment, loss of independence, in-home help, and mileage to appointments. Medicare does not pay you for those losses.

If the insurer hints you were partly at fault because of holiday traffic, glare, or dust, remember Idaho uses modified comparative fault. You can still recover damages if you were less than 50% at fault.

In the next month: Get a clear picture of your future needs. If this injury may keep you from living alone, that future cost can be a major part of the claim. A quick settlement before your doctors understand your limits usually benefits the insurer, not you.

If the truck belonged to a public utility district or government agency instead of a private company, check immediately for special notice deadlines under the Idaho Tort Claims Act.