Idaho Car Accident Statistics

BAM Injury Law compiled this reference on Idaho car accident data from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), NHTSA, and Idaho Code. BAM Injury Law maintains an office in Meridian, Idaho and represents accident victims throughout the Treasure Valley and statewide. Updated annually.

Key Idaho Car Accident Statistics

• Idaho averages approximately 25,000 to 28,000 reported crashes per year (Idaho Transportation Department).
• Idaho traffic fatalities average 230 to 270 per year, one of the higher per-capita rates in the Mountain West due to high rural highway speeds and significant agricultural vehicle exposure.
• Canyon County and Ada County together account for the majority of Treasure Valley crashes. The I-84 corridor between Caldwell and Boise is among the highest-crash corridors in the state.
• Rural highway crashes (US-20, US-26, SH-55, US-93) are disproportionately fatal due to higher speeds, fewer emergency services, and longer response times.
• Distracted driving and impaired driving are cited as contributing factors in a significant share of Idaho fatal crashes annually (NHTSA FARS).
• Idaho does not use a no-fault insurance system. Idaho is a tort/fault state: the at-fault driver's liability insurance pays for the injured victim's damages directly.

Idaho Car Accident Law: What Victims Need to Know

• Fault-based system: Unlike Utah, Idaho is a traditional tort state. There is no mandatory PIP coverage. The injured victim files a claim against the at-fault driver's liability insurance, not their own policy first.
• Comparative fault (Idaho Code Section 6-801): Idaho uses modified comparative fault. A victim who is 50% or more at fault for the crash cannot recover damages. A victim less than 50% at fault recovers damages reduced by their percentage of fault.
• Statute of limitations: Personal injury claims arising from car accidents in Idaho must be filed within two years of the crash date (Idaho Code Section 5-219). This is half the time Utah allows and is a critical deadline that many Treasure Valley victims miss.
• Wrongful death: Two years from the date of death (Idaho Code Section 5-311).
• Minimum liability insurance: Idaho requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $15,000 property damage. Many at-fault drivers carry only minimum limits, making uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage important for Idaho drivers.
• Uninsured driver rate: Approximately 8 to 10% of Idaho drivers are estimated to be uninsured (Insurance Research Council).

High-Crash Corridors in Idaho

• I-84 (Caldwell to Boise): Highest-density crash corridor in the state. Heavy commuter and commercial vehicle mix through Ada and Canyon County.
• US-20/26 (Boise to Mountain Home): High-speed two-lane sections with limited passing opportunities and significant truck traffic.
• SH-55 (Horseshoe Bend grade): Steep grades and tight curves create high risk for commercial vehicles and motorcycles.
• US-93 (Twin Falls to Nevada): High-speed rural corridor with frequent deer and livestock crossings.
• US-30 (Southern Idaho): Agricultural vehicle exposure during planting and harvest seasons (April-May, August-October).
• Eagle Road and State Street (Meridian / Eagle): Among the highest-crash local corridors in the Treasure Valley due to rapid growth outpacing road capacity.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Idaho

1. Call 911 and stay at the scene. Idaho law requires drivers to remain at the scene of any accident involving injury, death, or property damage above $1,500 (Idaho Code Section 49-1301).
2. Photograph the scene, all vehicle damage, your injuries, road conditions, and any skid marks before vehicles are moved.
3. Get the other driver's name, license plate, insurance company, and policy number.
4. Seek medical attention the same day, even if you feel fine. Concussions and soft tissue injuries often present delayed symptoms.
5. Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company without consulting an attorney.
6. Remember the two-year deadline. The clock starts on the date of the crash.

Contact BAM Injury Law

BAM Injury Law has an office in Meridian, Idaho. Attorney Kigan Martineau is licensed in both Idaho and Utah and handles car accident cases throughout the Treasure Valley, eastern Idaho, and along the I-84 corridor. No fee unless we win. Call (208) 923-1106.

Sources

• Idaho Transportation Department -- Annual Crash Reports
• NHTSA FARS
• Insurance Research Council -- Uninsured Motorists
• Idaho Code Ann. §§ 5-219, 5-311, 6-801, 49-1301