Rep. Chaney was the House sponsor of H554, a bill that restored the laws of accountability and responsibility for automobile accidents to its traditional status.

In 2014, the legislature adopted a new law that allowed insurance companies in certain circumstances to refuse to pay for the damage and injuries caused to an accident victim–even if the victim did nothing to cause the crash herself.  In an attempt to capitalize on this new technicality, lawsuits filed in these cases became increasingly expensive and complex. This added complexity made it even harder for innocent drivers to negotiate fair reimbursement for medical expenses and damage to property.

H554 restores Idaho law to the basic, fair principle that a person pays for the damage they cause to someone else; and a person who did nothing to bring injury on themselves shouldn’t be left holding the bag.  For more on the bill, review the minutes of the bill’s hearing in the House Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee on February 21, 2018.

H554 passed both the House and the Senate and was signed by Gov. Otter on March 27, 2018. The changes go into effect on July 1, 2018.