Car Accident Lawyer in Great Falls, MT

After a car accident, a victim has a lot of important things they need to take care of in a short period of time:  medical treatment, vehicle repairs, missed work, and filing a personal injury claim with insurance companies. Often, these needs are much more than one person can handle alone. This is when it’s time to consult with a car accident lawyer in Great Falls, MT.

Getting into an auto accident is stressful enough — you shouldn’t have to go through it alone. Contact a car accident lawyer at Mountain States Injury Law in Great Falls, MT today to get started on your case. We offer a free consultation for motor vehicle accident victims and their families and will be happy to help you make sense of this difficult time.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

There are many reasons why people get into a Great Falls car accident. Some of the most common ones are when people drive too fast, don’t pay attention to the road, or are distracted by things like their phones. Whether or not you see the cause of your crash listed below, contact our firm right away to speak with a personal injury attorney about your unique situation.

Distracted Driving

When you hear the term “distracted driving,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? If it’s texting while driving, you’ve certainly picked a common example of this widespread issue, but there are many other distractions that drivers can engage with while operating a motor vehicle, including:

• Eating or drinking
• Fiddling with the car stereo or navigation system
• Talking to passengers
• Rubbernecking
• Daydreaming
• Applying makeup

Each of these actions pulls a driver’s focus away from the road, which can lead to disastrous results.

Drunk Driving

It’s no secret that drinking and driving is a dangerous combination, but some people continue to do it anyway. If someone gets behind the wheel after having too much to drink, they’re putting themselves and others at risk of being seriously injured or killed in an auto accident.

Not only is drunk driving illegal in every state, but it’s also one of the most common causes of auto accidents.

Unfortunately, Montana has one of the highest fatality rates in the United States when it comes to impaired driving, with 66% of all driving fatalities in 2020 attributed to drunk or drugged driving.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/pdf/impaired-driving-new/CDC-impaired-driving-fact-sheet-Montana.pdf

If you’re involved in an accident that was caused by a drunk driver, you may be able to file a personal injury case against them to recover damages. The team of MT car crash lawyers at Mountain States Injury Law are here to provide legal assistance as we seek compensation for the reckless driver’s negligence.

Road Rage

Have you ever been driving and had someone cut you off, only to have them slam on their brakes, so you have to swerve to avoid hitting them? If so, you’ve experienced road rage firsthand. This dangerous and aggressive behavior can escalate to the point of a collision, and the aftermath can be equally terrifying while waiting for police to arrive.

Road rage is a serious problem on America’s roads, and it can lead to dangerous and even deadly accidents. According to data from the National Safety Council, road rage accounted for 1.1% of fatal vehicle accidents in 2020, a small but still notable percentage of total fatal crashes.

Speeding

Speed limits are in place for a reason, but some drivers choose to ignore them, regardless of the dangers. When people drive too fast, they’re more likely to lose control of their vehicle, and if they’re involved in an accident, the injuries can be much more severe.

Drivers often overestimate their abilities, reaction times, and their vehicle’s handling at high speeds, causing great pain to those around them when they lose control and cause a crash.

In 2020, speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in the United States, with many more non-fatal crashes directly attributed to speeding. If you’ve been involved in a Great Falls car crash caused by a speeding driver, you may be able to hold them liable for your injuries and recover financial compensation, and Mountain States Injury Law can help.

No Turn Signals

Do you know that little lever on your steering column that signals to other drivers when you’re about to turn? It’s called a turn signal, and it’s there for a reason, even though many drivers seem to forget that detail when making a turn or changing lanes. Turning without signaling is one of the most common — and preventable — causes of car and motorcycle accidents.

When drivers don’t use their turn signals, they’re giving other motorists no warning of their intentions, which can easily lead to a collision.

Whether it’s a rear-end crash when someone doesn’t signal before stopping or a T-bone crash at an intersection, not using a turn signal is negligent and can be costly.

Mechanical Failures

While most car accidents are caused by human error, there are instances where a mechanical failure can lead to an accident. If a car’s brakes fail, for example, the driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle or pedestrian. Tires that blow out while driving can also cause an accident, as can other types of vehicle failures.

In some cases, the manufacturer may be at fault if a collision is caused by a mechanical failure. If there’s a recall on a certain type of vehicle because of defective brakes, for example, and someone is injured in a crash caused by brakes that failed, the manufacturer may be held liable.

Trying to unravel the complicated web of liability when a manufacturer, mechanic, or another third party may be involved can quickly overwhelm an inexperienced claimant — especially one that is trying to get a handle on serious injuries from the crash.

Working with car accident lawyers from day one is one of the best decisions a victim can make as they work towards getting the compensation they rightfully deserve.

Weather Conditions

Montana is known for many things, including long, cold winters. Icy roadways are just one of the many different weather conditions that can lead to car accidents. Other hazardous weather conditions include:

• Heavy rain
• Sleet and hail
• Snow
• Fog

While some of these weather conditions are unavoidable, drivers still have a responsibility to take extra care when driving in them.

Speeding, not paying attention, and generally failing to take the proper precautions can all lead to accidents in any condition, but inclement weather will increase the risk of a crash significantly.

Montana’s Statute of Limitations After a Car Accident

A statute of limitations is a state law that sets a deadline for filing a civil lawsuit. If you don’t file your lawsuit within the specified time frame, you’ll be barred from pursuing compensation, no matter how strong your case is.

In Montana, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including car accident claims, is three years from the date of the accident.

This may seem like a long time, but it’s important to remember that it can take months or even years for your attorney to negotiate a fair settlement. Additionally, many victims are focused on their physical recovery and don’t realize that they need to take legal action until it’s too late.

For these reasons, it’s important to consult with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options so that you don’t miss the deadline for filing a claim.