Personal Injury Statistics in Idaho
Understanding personal injury statistics in Idaho helps you benchmark your case value, understand the legal environment, and set realistic expectations for your claim.
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.
$10,000 – $45,000
Average Settlement Range
Varies widely by injury severity and case type
Modified comparative fault (50% bar)
Fault System
Directly affects how damages are calculated
2 years
Statute of Limitations
Time to file from date of injury
At-Fault (Tort)
Auto Insurance System
At-fault driver's insurer liable
Idaho Injury Cases — By the Numbers
13,000 cases/yr
PI Cases Filed Annually
$35,000
Average Settlement
$21,000
Median Settlement
43%
Plaintiff Trial Win Rate
13 mo
Avg. Time to Settle
Motor Vehicle Accident
Top Injury Type
9 mo
Civil Court Backlog
35%
Avg. Contingency Fee
Key Facts About Idaho Injury Law
Idaho uses modified comparative fault under Idaho Code § 6-801 with a 50% bar — plaintiffs who are found to be 50% or more responsible for the accident are completely barred from recovering any damages in a personal injury lawsuit.
Personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 2 years under Idaho Code § 5-219; the discovery rule may toll the statute in cases of latent or delayed-onset injuries, starting the clock from when the plaintiff knew or should have known of the injury.
Idaho places no general cap on economic damages such as medical expenses and lost earnings in personal injury cases, though noneconomic damage caps may apply in medical malpractice actions under Idaho Code § 6-1603.
Idaho Personal Injury Law Overview
Idaho applies modified comparative fault with a 50% bar, meaning plaintiffs who are equally or more at fault than defendants cannot recover. The statute of limitations is 2 years for most personal injury cases. Idaho does not require no-fault PIP auto insurance. Idaho's agricultural and outdoor recreation industries — farming, ranching, skiing, hunting — generate distinctive injury litigation not commonly seen in urban states. Premises liability claims on farmland and recreational properties are subject to specific rules, including the Idaho Recreational Use Statute that limits landowner liability to those who open land for recreation without charge. Medical malpractice noneconomic damages are capped at $250,000 under Idaho Code § 6-1603. Product liability and dog bite cases follow separate statutory frameworks. Punitive damages require a court pretrial finding of reasonable basis before they may be presented to a jury, adding an additional procedural hurdle unique to Idaho.