1. Hepworth Holzer, LLP
Focus Area: Complex personal injury litigation including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases
Practice Areas: Car accidents, semi-truck collisions, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability, professional negligence
Background: The firm has operated for decades in the Boise area and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for clients. The attorneys hold multiple recognitions from national legal evaluation organizations and have handled thousands of injury and wrongful death cases throughout Idaho.
Location: 537 W Bannock St, Boise, ID 83702
Contact: (208) 328-6998 | https://hepworthholzer.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation with contingency fee arrangement
2. Pedersen Whitehead & Hanby
Focus Area: Serious personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from negligent conduct
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, professional negligence, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, highway design litigation
Background: The attorneys have more than fifty years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. The firm handles complex cases throughout Idaho including matters against government entities and automotive manufacturers.
Location: 250 S 5th St #300, Boise, ID 83702
Contact: (208) 336-2552 | https://www.pedersen-law.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation offered on a contingency fee basis
3. Feller & Wendt, LLC
Focus Area: Personal injury representation for victims of accidents and negligent conduct throughout Idaho
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, pedestrian accidents
Background: The firm has represented injury victims for many years and maintains a track record of favorable outcomes. Clients work directly with attorneys rather than being passed to paralegals, and attorneys provide personal cell phone numbers to clients.
Location: 6126 W State St #202, Boise, ID 83703
Contact: (208) 391-5945 | https://www.fellerwendt.com/boise/
Consultation: Free legal consultation with no upfront attorney fees under contingency arrangement
4. Parke Gordon Law
Focus Area: Personal injury cases with emphasis on maximizing compensation through experienced insurance claim handling
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, semi-truck accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, wrongful death, dog bites
Background: The firm has experience holding insurance companies accountable and has litigated hundreds of accident cases. Notable case results include settlements and verdicts ranging from $690,000 for dog bite injuries to $12,000,000 for product liability matters.
Location: 4900 N Sawyer Ave, Boise, ID 83714
Contact: (208) 900-3888 | https://www.parkegordon.com/idaho/boise/law-office
Consultation: Free case evaluation with contingency fee structure
5. Litster Frost Injury Lawyers
Focus Area: Personal injury claims with exclusive focus on accident victims and their families
Practice Areas: Car accidents, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, personal injury
Background: The firm has represented Idaho residents for decades and focuses exclusively on injury claims. The team-based approach ensures comprehensive investigation of each case. Attorneys handle cases throughout Idaho including Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and Meridian.
Location: 5601 W Overland Rd, Boise, ID 83705
Contact: (208) 639-0349 | https://litsterfrost.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation with contingency fee payment structure
Personal Injury Laws in Idaho
Statute of Limitations
Idaho law provides a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. The deadline begins running on the date of injury under Idaho Code Section 5-219. For wrongful death cases, the two-year period starts from the date of death. Missing this deadline typically results in permanent loss of the right to seek compensation.
Special circumstances may affect the filing deadline. For injuries involving minors, the statute of limitations does not begin until the child turns 18, though this tolling cannot exceed six years from the injury date. If an injury is not discovered immediately, the discovery rule may apply, starting the two-year period from when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered.
Claims against government entities in Idaho require filing a notice of claim within 180 days of the incident under the Idaho Tort Claims Act. If the government denies the claim or fails to respond within 90 days, claimants then have two years to file a lawsuit.
Negligence Rules
Idaho follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this rule, an injured person can recover damages only if they are found to be less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. If the injured party is 50 percent or more responsible, they cannot recover any compensation from other parties.
When an injured person bears partial fault below the 50 percent threshold, their recovery is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. For example, if damages total $100,000 and the injured person is found 20 percent at fault, they would receive $80,000.
Damage Caps
Idaho imposes a cap on noneconomic damages in personal injury cases. Under Idaho Code Section 6-1603, noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress are limited to $250,000 per claimant. However, this cap is adjusted annually for inflation. As of 2024, the adjusted cap amount is approximately $490,512.
The noneconomic damage cap does not apply in cases involving willful and wanton conduct, felony offenses, or instances where the at-fault party was intoxicated. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of $250,000 or three times total compensatory damages.
Claims against government entities are limited to a total of $500,000 in damages regardless of the number of injured persons, unless the government has greater liability insurance coverage.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Idaho requires all drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage limits commonly expressed as 25/50/15. This means $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
Idaho operates as an at-fault state for auto insurance purposes. The driver responsible for causing an accident is liable for the resulting damages. Injured parties can file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Insurance companies must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, though drivers may reject these coverages in writing. Driving without required insurance is an infraction punishable by a $75 fine for first offenses, with increased penalties including potential misdemeanor charges for repeat violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I am partially at fault for my car accident in Boise?
Idaho uses a modified comparative negligence rule that can significantly impact your recovery. If you are determined to be less than 50 percent responsible for the accident, you can still receive compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages from other parties. This strict threshold makes it important to document accident circumstances thoroughly and consider consulting with an attorney who can investigate fault allocation.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim after an accident in Idaho?
You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Idaho. This deadline is strictly enforced, and filing even one day late can result in losing your right to compensation. Claims against government entities require an additional step of filing a notice of claim within 180 days of the incident before any lawsuit can proceed. If your injury involves a minor child or was not immediately discoverable, different timelines may apply.
Are there limits on how much compensation I can receive for pain and suffering in Idaho?
Idaho caps noneconomic damages including pain and suffering at a base amount of $250,000, adjusted annually for inflation. The current adjusted cap is approximately $490,512 as of 2024. This cap applies per claimant regardless of how many defendants are responsible. However, the cap does not apply if your injuries resulted from willful and wanton conduct, certain felonies, or an intoxicated driver. Economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages have no cap.
What should I do immediately after being injured in an accident in Boise?
Seek medical attention promptly even if injuries seem minor, as some conditions develop symptoms gradually and medical documentation establishes a link between the accident and your injuries. Report the accident to appropriate authorities and obtain a police report if applicable. Collect contact information from witnesses and document the scene with photographs if possible. Avoid providing recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney, as these statements can be used to minimize your claim.
Can I recover damages if I was hit by an uninsured driver in Idaho?
Yes, though recovery depends on available insurance coverage. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy, you can file a claim for damages up to your coverage limits. This coverage is optional in Idaho but must be offered by insurers and is rejected only if you decline it in writing. Without this coverage, you may need to pursue the uninsured driver personally for damages, which can be difficult if they lack assets. Underinsured motorist coverage can help when the at-fault driver’s policy limits are insufficient to cover your damages.