Nearly a hundred people are victims of fatal car accidents daily in the United States. Another 7,500 are injured in the country in motor vehicle accidents. If you have been injured in a car accident, it is critical to understand your legal rights in Montana. Regardless if you are the victim of a T-bone collision, rear-end accident, head-on crash, or tailgating, you can be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. However, dealing with insurance companies is challenging, especially when you are trying to recover.
At Mountain States Injury Law, we respect and understand the physical and emotional pain you are going through. That is why we pursue, negotiate, and settle insurance claims on your behalf, so you can receive the most in your personal injury claims. Our Billings car accident lawyers pride themselves on providing compassionate, dedicated, and personalized legal representation to all car accident victims in Billings and state-wide. Contact an auto accident lawyer at Mountain States Injury Law today! We are ready to help you and your family obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
Dale G. Casares
Colorado, Idaho, and Montana
Personal Injury Attorney
We won’t charge a fee until
your claim is settled.
What Our Clients Say
“Dale was extremely kind and helpful in a moment of panic after a car accident. She went out of her way to ensure I had the correct information in regards to what Colorado laws protect me after an accident and how to properly approach the situation.”
— Tom
“Dale helped me and my family through a very hard time. She was professional, diligent, extremely knowledgeable and knows how to get the job done. I would never hesitate to recommend Dale or use her in the future.”
— Brett
“Dale Casares is an incredible attorney and human being. Ever since I met her, she has been willing to fight for me and support me. Dale excels at listening, understanding, and using her knowledge and skills to help people.”
Free Consultation
We won’t charge a fee until
your claim is settled.
Case Results
Car Crash
$1.35 million
Spine and Shoulder Injuries
Car Crash
$550k
Brain Injury
Car Crash
$350k
Brain Injury
Motorcycle Crash
$200k
Severe Laceration
Motorcycle Crash
$250k
Ankle Injury
Slip & Fall
$250k
Fractured Arm
Billings, MT Car Accident Types
Billings is Montana’s largest city, and with I-90 running through it, thousands of people drive through the city every day. For this reason, many types of car accidents happen frequently. Drivers can get into various motor vehicle accidents on rural roadways, country roads, or city streets. Call us and schedule your free consultation if you were involved in a car crash and sustained injuries.
Head-On Collision
Head-on collisions occur when the front of a car collides into the front of another vehicle from the opposite direction. These collisions can result from drivers driving on the wrong side of the road or failing to keep the car in the correct lane. Causes include drunk driving, distracted driving, fatigue, or severe weather.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision happens when a vehicle collides with the back end of another vehicle directly in front of it. Rear-end collisions generally result from tailgating, wet road conditions, or distracted driving. Such car accidents lead to injuries such as back injuries, whiplash, neck pain, or bruises. However, car accident victims may also suffer more serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, or facial disfigurement. In such cases, an attorney can help seek financial compensation for your losses. Contact Mountain States Injury Law, to discuss your personal injury claim.
Sideswipe Collisions
An auto sideswipe collision occurs when two vehicles driving parallel come together and impact their sides. While there are usually no injuries with such accidents, rollovers can occur and result in bruises, cuts, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, internal organ damage, or injuries to the joints. Generally, the damages to the vehicle are minor, with only a few exterior scratches.
Hit and Run Accidents
Under Montana law, if you have collided with another driver’s car, you must stop at the scene and exchange names, addresses, insurance information, and registration numbers. Moreover, you must report the car accident if it resulted in injuries, death, or property damage. You are morally and legally obligated to make a reasonable effort to call Montana’s law enforcement to report the car crash.
Factors that Determine Your Billings Car Accident Value
Auto accidents are unexpected occurrences yielding unpleasant and unexpected results. In Montana, settlement outcomes do not apply to all car accident cases. Many variables determine the value of your auto accident claim, lawsuit, and settlement amount.
Accident Severity
Unquestionably, the severity of your car accident is a vital factor in your claim. While some auto accidents do not cause substantial damage, even minor injuries may impair your life in some fashion. Considerable property damage may also indicate how bad an accident is, allowing you to seek a larger payout. Here at Mountain States Injury Law, we understand insurance companies will try to sway the outcome by claiming light car damage means you were not critically injured. However, receiving immediate medical care, filing a testimony, and contacting a car accident lawyer can strengthen your personal injury case.
Insurance
Every American state carries its own regulations and laws for auto insurance. Every driver must maintain the minimum state coverage. In Montana, all car owners are required by law to carry these minimum levels of insurance:
Bodily injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Property damage: $20,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Due to increases in car repair costs and healthcare, drivers should aim for insurance above the state minimums to cover severe car accidents.
Fault and Liability
The amount of fault for a car crash attributed to each party can affect the amount of compensation each will receive. Under Montana Statutes 27-1-702, you can only seek financial compensation for your injuries and losses if you are less than 50 percent at fault. Otherwise, all damages may be diminished by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are 10 percent at fault for the auto accident, then the court will reduce your total compensation by 10 percent. If you are 50 percent or more responsible for the accident, your compensation will drop to zero.
Medical Treatment
Always seek medical attention immediately following an accident. Waiting to feel better or recover from the shock is a critical mistake that could cost you a larger payout and risk your health. The other driver’s insurance company could argue your delay in reported injuries means you were not genuinely injured in the accident or that the damages were not ‘severe.’ While we understand adrenaline usually accelerates your reflexes in a car accident and numbs your pain and internal wounds, it does not determine if an injury is not present. Seek medical care immediately following a car collision for your safety, claim, and proof of damage for any settlement negotiations.
Type of Medical Treatment
Medical treatments may require hospitalization, surgery, or fluid insertions. Those that do are generally more severe than gentle medical care or physical rehabilitation. The type of medical treatment you receive could impact your compensation amount depending on the recovery’s duration. Please remember insurance companies may exploit any loophole for a lower or unfair settlement. Continue to receive treatment for as long as the medical provider recommends, so you can support your injury claim. Also, refusing or stopping medical treatment too early can severely weaken your car accident case.
Impaired Quality of Life
If your injuries impair your ability to function normally or work, the chances of reaching a higher compensation increase. In addition to medical expenses and car repairs, your loss of income and impaired quality of life could add value to your claim. If you think these circumstances relate to you, contact our law firm today and allow us to help you receive the money you deserve.
Compensation Available for Car Accident Injuries
Being injured in a car accident can result in significant losses. That is why you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. This includes both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Losses
Economic damages refer to actual financial losses, including:
Medical bills and medical care
Custodial care
Rehabilitation services
Lost wages
Loss of use of property
Loss of future earnings
Burial costs
Cost of replacement or repair of the vehicle
Costs of engaging in-home services.
At Mountain States Injury Law, we have the knowledge and skills to seek maximum compensation for your car accident case and all economic damages. We also suggest additional damages for your auto accident claim.
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic damages are challenging to calculate because they are not based on tangible financial losses. They include:
How can you put a price tag on something intangible? The answer is simple. Hiring a top-rated car accident lawyer in Billings, Montana. You will obtain legal guidance through every step of your case and ensure you reach the best compensation. In addition to economic damages, our auto accident lawyer can pursue non-economic damages, so you can return to your life.
During severe weather or seeing someone driving recklessly and erratically, you first think about your safety. Unfortunately, most drivers assume they will be involved in a car crash at a certain point. If an accident does happen, you need a reliable and compassionate Billings car accident attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Here at Mountain States Injury Law, our Billings car accident lawyers investigate all the evidence available to handle your personal injury claim. Our office offers exceptional legal representation by examining the variables of your car accident case, so you can focus on priorities like your family, your job, or recovering from injuries. We care about you and all car accident victims, so we work diligently to ensure all of you receive justice.
At Mountain States Injury Law, our car accident attorneys are ready to speak to you and conduct an in-depth investigation to gather as much information as possible, and build a strong case. Our legal team understands car crashes can lead to overwhelming and long-term complications. This may require handling medical bills, lost work, and financial and mental stresses. Please consider it costs you nothing to discuss your case with us, so call us today to schedule your free consultation. Moreover, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay unless we win the case. Get the legal representation you need now and make it count!
Not knowing what the future holds can put tremendous pressure on an already challenging time, but we are happy to offer you insight into your personal injury case process. The sooner you contact our auto accident lawyers for your consultation, the sooner we will approach your legal concerns while you get some rest and focus on your recovery. Contact us today at 888-299-4312 and allow us to advocate on your behalf to secure the best compensation.
FAQs
If I caused a car crash, can I still recover any financial compensation?
Compensation eligibility depends on your degree of fault in a car accident in Montana. Under Montana negligence laws, the driver asking for financial compensation in a claim or lawsuit has to be less responsible for the car crash than the driver who caused the accident. This means if you have contributed more than 50 percent of the accident fault, you are ineligible to seek compensation. Conversely, if you contributed less than 50 percent of the accident fault, you are in a position to receive compensation. However, the court will reduce your payment according to your degree of fault.
What is a statute of limitations?
Statute of limitations refers to the maximum amount of time you have to initiate legal proceedings from the date of your accident. They vary based on the state where the accident occurs. After this point, even if your car accident claim is valid, no judge will hear your case. In Montana, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is three years from the date of your car accident. You can have a two-year time limit if you are filing for a vehicle or other property damages.
What is the leading cause of Montana car accidents?
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) reports that almost 66 percent of all the state’s car fatalities have resulted from impaired driving. That means two out of every three fatal car crashes involved a drunk driver.
Please pledge yourself, your family, and your community to never engage in drunk driving. No one wants to be injured or killed due to someone’s drunk driving. We understand Montana’s liability always and can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and damages. If an impaired driver has injured you or a loved one, contact our car accident lawyers immediately.
