If you were injured in a motorcycle accident or another incident in Idaho, you should understand how compensation caps can affect your injury claim. These caps limit certain types of damages and can significantly impact the settlement or verdict an accident victim may receive.
Contact our Boise motorcycle accident attorney at Mountain States Injury Law to seek compensation today. Call (888) 845-8745 for a free consultation.
What Are Damage Caps in an Idaho Personal Injury Case?
Damage caps are statutory limits on the amount of money a person can receive in a personal injury lawsuit. These caps typically apply to noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Economic damages, which compensate for medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses, are generally not capped in Idaho.
Limits on Noneconomic Damages in Idaho Personal Injury Cases
Idaho law sets a cap on noneconomic damages. The base cap was originally set at $250,000, but it is adjusted annually. The Idaho Industrial Commission updates this amount each year. The current cap is $490,512.33 and is likely set to increase in July 2025.
Non-economic damages caps apply to personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage cases. However, the cap does not apply to economic damages, which are typically fully recoverable under Idaho law.
Punitive Damage Caps in Idaho
Punitive damages are awarded to punish a defendant for egregious or intentional misconduct and deter others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. Under Idaho law, punitive damages are capped at $250,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded to the plaintiff, whichever is greater.
However, punitive damages are not common and require the plaintiff to prove that the defendant acted with extreme recklessness or caused intentional harm.
How Idaho Damage Caps Affect Settlements and Verdicts
In general, noneconomic and punitive damages caps apply to most types of personal injury cases, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, workplace accidents, and medical malpractice.
Damage caps can significantly impact the amount a plaintiff can recover. For example, if a jury awards $500,000 in noneconomic damages, the court will reduce that award to the capped amount set for that year. Similarly, if punitive damages are awarded, the court will ensure they do not exceed the statutory limit.
Contrast the scenarios above with states that do not limit non-economic or punitive damages. In many jurisdictions, injured victims are not subject to damages caps and can recover full compensation, as calculated by a judge or jury, for their non-economic losses.
Exceptions to Idaho’s Damage Caps
Idaho law includes exceptions to the cap on noneconomic damages in certain cases. The caps do not apply to claims involving:
- Willful or reckless misconduct (e.g. certain drunk driving cases may provide an example).
- Acts that constitute a felony under state or federal law (e.g., assault or sexual assault cases).
Since these exceptions can significantly affect a potential recovery, it is essential to consult a qualified personal injury attorney to determine whether any exceptions apply.
Contact Our Boise, ID Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Help Understanding the Value of Your Case
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash or another incident in Idaho, it is important to understand how damage caps could affect your claim. In some cases, they may limit your ability to recover full compensation for your non-financial losses.
Our experienced Boise motorcycle accident lawyer, Dale G. Casares, at Mountain States Injury Law can assess your case, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the maximum compensation allowed under Idaho law. Contact our legal team today to schedule a free consultation.