Idaho Comparative Negligence in Car Accidents

Car accidents can leave victims facing serious injuries, financial stress, and the uncertainty of how to recover damages. In Idaho, one of the key factors that can influence how much compensation you receive—or whether you can recover anything at all—is the state’s comparative negligence rule.

At Johnson & Lundgreen, we’ve seen firsthand how this law affects personal injury claims across Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Twin Falls, and the rest of Idaho. Knowing how comparative negligence works can help you avoid costly mistakes after an accident and ensure your rights are protected.

What Is Comparative Negligence?

Comparative negligence is a legal principle used to determine fault when multiple parties share responsibility for an accident. Instead of placing 100% of the blame on one person, the law allows fault to be divided among multiple parties.

For example:

If another driver caused the crash but you were speeding, you may be found partially at fault.
The percentage of fault assigned to you will directly affect the compensation you can recover.

Idaho’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Idaho follows what’s known as a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. This means:

You can still recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault.
If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation.

Here’s how it works in practice:

Suppose your damages total $100,000 after a serious car accident in Boise or Nampa.
If you are found 20% at fault, your award would be reduced by 20%, meaning you would receive $80,000.
If you are found 50% at fault, you would receive nothing under Idaho law. Defense attorneys often try to reduce the damages in cases like this, especially in slip and fall or premises liability cases.

How Fault Is Determined in Idaho Car Accidents

Insurance adjusters, attorneys, and sometimes juries determine how fault is divided. They rely on a variety of evidence, including:

Police reports detailing the crash
Witness statements from people who saw the accident
Traffic camera or dashcam footage
Accident reconstruction experts
Medical records showing the extent of injuries

Insurance companies often use the comparative negligence rule to reduce payouts by shifting as much blame as possible onto victims. This is one reason why working with an experienced Idaho car accident lawyer can make a major difference.

Why Comparative Negligence Matters in Idaho

Understanding Idaho’s negligence rule is critical for two reasons:

It affects the amount of compensation you receive. Even a small percentage of fault can result in a significant reduction of your award by thousands of dollars.
It can determine whether you receive any compensation at all. Once the fault reaches 50%, your claim is barred.

This is why building a strong case with the right evidence is essential to protecting your recovery.

Example Scenarios

To better understand Idaho’s comparative negligence rule, here are two examples:

Scenario 1: You’re hit by a distracted driver in Meridian, but you were not wearing your seatbelt. A jury finds you 10% at fault for your injuries. Your $50,000 award is reduced to $45,000.
Scenario 2: You’re involved in a crash in Boise where both you and the other driver were speeding. The court finds you 55% responsible. Because you are more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing.

These examples show how even seemingly small details can have a huge impact on the outcome of your case.

How Johnson & Lundgreen Can Help

When you’re recovering from a car accident in Idaho, the last thing you should have to worry about is insurance companies trying to place blame on you. At Johnson & Lundgreen, we:

Investigate your accident thoroughly to build strong evidence of fault
Negotiate with insurance adjusters who may try to reduce your claim
Protect your rights if your case goes to trial
Help you pursue the maximum compensation available under Idaho law

Our attorneys have decades of experience representing injured clients across Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Twin Falls, and beyond.

Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident

Idaho’s comparative negligence rule makes car accident cases more complicated than they may seem. Even if you know another driver was careless, the percentage of fault assigned to you could determine whether you receive the financial recovery you need.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Twin Falls, or anywhere in Idaho, don’t face the legal process alone. At Johnson & Lundgreen, we’re here to explain your rights, fight back against unfair blame, and pursue the compensation you deserve.