How Much Is My Idaho Car Accident Injury Claim Worth?

It is difficult to know how much your Idaho car accident injury claim might be worth without first knowing the details about your injuries, expenses, and losses. No two collision cases are alike, and the potential settlement value of your personal injury claim depends on multiple factors.

When you work with an Idaho car accident lawyer, they can help you determine if a settlement offer is appropriate and will cover your medical bills, lost pay, and accident-related losses. It is imperative to understand the cost of your treatment, your prognosis, and future care expenses before agreeing to any payout.

What Factors Play a Role in the Value of a Car Accident Injury Case?

The possible settlement value of a car accident claim in Idaho depends on several factors. These variables make it difficult to predict accurately without key information about the accident, injuries and necessary treatment, insurance coverage, evidence of fault, and how the insurance company plans to approach the claim.

Idaho allows victims to hold at-fault drivers accountable and file a claim based on their auto insurance policy. However, Idaho law also limits certain types of damages in these cases. One way to ensure you are pursuing maximum compensation after a crash is to work with an Idaho personal injury lawyer. They will determine your damages, manage negotiations, and prevent you from accepting a lowball offer.

Understanding Compensation in Idaho Car Accident Cases

Under Idaho Statutes § 49-1229, all drivers must carry insurance that pays for the injuries and damages that occur because of an accident they cause. After a crash, the victims of an accident can pursue a payout by:

• Filing an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s policy
• Suing the at-fault driver in a personal injury lawsuit
• Filing a claim based on their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, when necessary

These options allow victims to seek fair compensation for their economic and non-economic losses. Some common types of recoverable damages include:

• Medical expenses
• Ongoing healthcare
• Missed income while recovering
• Loss of earning capacity in the future
• Vehicle repair or replacement and other personal property damage
• Pain and suffering and other intangible losses, subject to statutory caps

When a victim dies, their surviving loved ones can work with an Idaho wrongful death lawyer to build a case and pursue damages based on the state’s wrongful death laws.

What Factors Could Affect the Value of a Collision Claim in Idaho?

Some of the factors that could affect an accident settlement include:

• Severe injuries usually bring larger payouts because of increased medical expenses
• When there are permanent impairments, long-term wage losses and loss of earning capacity will likely also play a role
• If the victim played a role in causing the crash, the state’s modified comparative negligence rule (Idaho Statutes § 6-801) could reduce their payout by their percentage of fault
• The payout could be limited by the driver’s auto insurance policy limits
• Having strong evidence to show the driver acted recklessly (drunk driving, for example) could increase the claim value, especially if the case goes to trial

Working with a personal injury attorney could also help to increase your settlement. The insurance company might be unwilling to offer you more but will step up when they recognize that you are serious about suing if they do not make a fair settlement offer in your case. Hiring a lawyer shows them you are willing to do what is necessary to secure the money you deserve.

Are There Limits on Compensation in Idaho?

There are two limits you should be aware of when seeking compensation in an Idaho car accident. They include:

Caps on Non-Economic Damages

Under Idaho Statutes § 6-1603, state lawmakers set a cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. This cap limits how much you can recover for pain and suffering and other intangible losses in a car accident case. However, these limits do not apply when the at-fault party committed a felony, engaged in willful misconduct, or acted recklessly and caused the crash.

The Statute of Limitations

Under Idaho Statutes § 5-219, victims typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after most crashes. Missing this deadline means losing the right to sue and recover compensation for their injuries, expenses, and losses. It is imperative that you do not miss this deadline.

How to Maximize Your Idaho Car Accident Claim

While many of the factors that affect how much your personal injury claim might be worth are out of your hands, there are some steps you can take to maximize your payout and ensure you get the money you need to cover your expenses and losses. These steps include:

• Seeking immediate medical attention and following through with all treatment plans
• Ensuring you have strong evidence to show what happened and who is liable
• Fighting any allegations of fault or contributing to your injuries
• Accepting any settlement before you understand the full scope of your current and future damages
• Working with an attorney who can handle your case and offer advice while negotiating for a fair settlement
• Letting your attorney manage all communication with the insurance company to protect your right to a fair payout
• Following the guidance of your attorney about settlement agreements
• Suing the at-fault driver when necessary to get the outcome you need in the case

As your case proceeds, your attorney will gather evidence to support your claim or lawsuit. As a part of this legal process, they will ensure there is documentation, expert testimony, and other supporting evidence for a fair payout in your case.

Discuss Your Car Accident Claim With Our Team in Idaho for Free

At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we fight for maximum compensation for our clients. We have recovered over $40 million for our clients, and they have left us more than 400 5-star reviews. Contact us today for a free consultation with our team and learn how an Idaho car accident attorney from our firm can help you get justice.