Burley Car Accident Lawyers

Experienced Burley Car Accident Attorneys Ready To Serve You

For a relatively small town of not more than 10,000 people, Burley sees more than its share of traffic, both from residents and passers-through. With Interstate 84 running right through the middle of the city and Interstates 15 and 84 just a few miles away, much of the traffic coming through Burley is on the highway. Going back to 2013, there has not been a single year without at least one fatal Burley car accident, and in most years, there are several fatalities. Not to mention the hundreds of injuries suffered in preventable car accidents.

At the law firm of Petersen, Parkinson & Arnold, PLLC, our Burley car accident attorney represents Burley car accident victims, helping them obtain fair compensation for their injuries. If you’ve been injured in a Cassia County car accident, give us a call to learn more about how we can help.

Don’t Face the Insurance Company Alone

One of the most common mistakes motorists make after an accident is assuming that insurance companies are looking out for their best interests. They are not. Insurance companies are businesses like any other, and they exist to turn a profit. To do so, these companies must collect more each year in monthly premiums than they pay out in claims. This means that insurance companies are looking for ways to reduce the value of your claim or, worse yet, deny your claim outright.

Often, an insurance company will approach an accident victim at a very challenging time in their life. Insurance companies use accident victims’ vulnerabilities against them, attempting to get them to accept low-ball settlement offers to quickly resolve the case for far less than it is worth.

If you’ve been involved in a Burley car accident, it may be tempting to talk to the insurance company. Talk to us instead. At Petersen, Parkinson & Arnold, PLLC, we can help prepare you for what to expect when dealing with the insurance company and speak with them on your behalf.

Damages in Burley Car Accident Cases

When it comes to car insurance, Idaho is a fault-based state. This means that when someone is involved in an accident, they can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, what starts as an insurance claim can turn into a personal injury case if the insurance company is unwilling to settle the case for a fair dollar amount.

In any Idaho car accident, there are two main types of damages an accident victim can recover: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate an accident victim for the actual out-of-pocket expenses associated with the accident. For example, the most common example of economic damages is medical expenses. However, economic damages also cover lost wages, decreased earning capacity, and the costs needed to retrofit an accident victim’s home to accommodate their accident-related disability. Often, you can establish economic damages by presenting medical bills or forecasting what an accident victim would have earned throughout their lifetime had they not been injured.

Non-economic damages are much different. These damages compensate an accident victim for the non-monetary costs of being injured in an accident. For example, pain and suffering is a common form of non-economic damages in Burley car accident cases. Other types of non-economic damages include emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

When talking about non-economic damages, it is important to note that Idaho law places a cap on the amount of non-economic damages a jury can award. The current cap is set at $386,622.39. However, this figure increases each year with inflation. Importantly, the cap on non-economic damages does not apply to situations where the defendant acted recklessly or intentionally. This can open the door for accident victims to obtain full compensation for their injuries, although proving a defendant’s intentional or reckless actions is not always easy.

Reach Out to an Experienced Burley Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has recently been severely injured in a Burley car accident, give the Burley car accident attorneys at Peterson, Parkinson & Arnold, PLLC, a call. With over 65 years of combined experience successfully settling and litigating all types of injury claims, our lawyers have the knowledge, skill, and dedication necessary to put your mind at ease during this difficult time. We recognize that every client and every accident is unique. That’s why we take an individualized approach to each case, ensuring you understand the personal injury process. We also take care to keep you updated on your case’s status and make ourselves available whenever you have questions. Our experienced legal team also handles other types of cases, including workers’ comp and social security disability. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with one of our Burley car accident lawyers, give us a call. You can also reach us through our online form.