Montana Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Attorney In Montana

When motorcyclists are involved in accidents with passenger vehicles, riders and their passengers often suffer serious injuries. These motorcycle accident injuries can tragically result in fatalities. If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash in Montana that was not your fault, let our team help facilitate your recovery. Our Montana motorcycle accident lawyer provides comprehensive support and detailed guidance at every step, ensuring you understand all available legal options.

Why Trust Bliven Law Firm, P.C.?

Bliven Law Firm, P.C., offers legal representation to motorcycle accident victims in Kalispell, Flathead County, Lake County, and surrounding areas. We have aided thousands of clients in fighting for millions of dollars in settlements, awards, and judgments. We focus on collecting comprehensive evidence, engaging necessary witnesses, and navigating insurance claim complexities, effectively strengthening your position throughout the process.

Understanding Local Traffic Patterns Challenges

In Montana, particularly around Flathead County, roads such as U.S. Highway 2 and Montana Highway 35 are prone to heavy traffic, especially during tourist seasons. These can pose hazards for motorcyclists due to increased vehicle volume and drivers unfamiliar with the area.

Motorcyclists in Montana face a significantly higher risk on the road, with riders being roughly 24 times more likely to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled compared to passenger car occupants. Helmet use plays a crucial role in survival. Data shows that unhelmeted riders are about 40% more likely to sustain a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to experience a non-fatal injury than those who wear helmets.

Our Montana team of motorcycle attorneys is familiar with these conditions and can provide insights on how they may impact your accident circumstances and claims. We consider local weather conditions, like occasional ice patches and unpredictable wildlife crossings, which complicate these roadways.

Understanding these local factors is crucial in determining fault and crafting an effective strategy for your compensation claim. We aim to present a comprehensive view of your situation!

Working With Local Healthcare Providers

Prompt medical attention is vital following a motorcycle accident. Various local healthcare facilities, including Kalispell Regional Medical Center, ensure our clients receive timely and appropriate evaluations. These facilities expedite your treatment and offer detailed medical documentation crucial for strengthening your legal claims.

Being closely located means easier and faster follow-ups, reflecting an understanding of the intersections between healthcare and legal advocacy in obtaining fair compensation for our clients. We guide you through this process, ensuring every injury is taken seriously and evaluated by professionals.

How Our Firm Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another person, connect with our firm. The motorcycle crash attorneys at our firm can help you understand your legal options.

One option may include pursuing a personal injury claim for damages. Depending on the particulars of your accident, the damages may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damages

It is important to note that Montana is a comparative fault state. This means Montana recognizes that accidents can occur due to negligence by both parties. The fault is often shared in motorcycle accident cases. The shared fault will affect the amount of damages awarded to your personal injury claim.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Knowing what to do immediately after a motorcycle accident can protect both your health and your right to compensation. First, call 911 to report the crash and request medical help. Notify the dispatcher where you are located and how many people may be injured. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic and turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers.

Allow paramedics to examine you for injuries. Even if injuries seem minor, internal trauma or concussions may not be immediately apparent. If you can safely do so, document the scene by taking photos of your injuries, the motorcycle, road conditions, and any debris that may have contributed to the crash.

Accidents on Montana’s rural highways, such as U.S. Highway 2 or Montana Highway 35, often occur in areas where emergency response may take longer, so gathering accurate details early is crucial. Exchange information with other drivers and collect witness contact information.

Avoid admitting fault or speculating about what happened. Seek medical treatment immediately at a nearby facility like Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell, even if you feel fine. A medical report provides vital documentation for your claim. Finally, contact a Montana motorcycle accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies.

Common Injuries Following a Motorcycle Collision

Motorcycle collisions often lead to severe and life-altering injuries due to the lack of protection riders have compared to occupants of enclosed vehicles. One of the most common injuries is traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can occur even at moderate speeds and may result in long-term cognitive and motor impairments.

Spinal cord injuries are also frequent, potentially causing paralysis or chronic nerve pain. Damage to the brain or spine can leave injured parties partially disabled or physically impaired. This can lead to hardships when injured riders try to return to work.

Fractures and broken bones are widespread in motorcycle accidents, particularly in the arms, legs, and ribs, as riders instinctively brace for impact. Road rash, caused by sliding across pavement, can lead to deep abrasions and infections requiring skin grafts or reconstructive surgery. Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding, are often life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

Burns and severe lacerations are also common. Beyond the physical toll, many riders experience emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety, about returning to the road.

Why You Should Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident and were injured, your first step should be to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to review your motorcycle accident claim. A Montana motorcycle accident attorney can explain how Montana’s motorcycle accident laws work and how you can be compensated for the harm you endured.

Lawyers play key roles when negotiating settlements for clients. They can also take a case to court when needed to see that you secure the full compensation that you are owed.

FAQ’s

What Steps Should I Take Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident?

Immediately after a motorcycle accident, ensure your safety and the safety of others by moving to a safe location if possible. Call emergency services, even if injuries appear minor, as a medical evaluation is essential. Document everything at the scene — take photos, record witness information, and ensure police reports are filed accurately. Promptly notify your insurance company about the accident. Finally, consult with a motorcycle accident attorney!

How Can I Protect My Rights During the Process?

To protect your rights, refrain from making detailed statements to insurers before consulting an attorney, as anything you say could potentially be used against your claim. Keep detailed records of all accident-related expenses, including medical treatments, repair costs, and lost wages.

Follow through with all medical advice and maintain documentation of your recovery. An attorney can provide guidance on interacting with insurers, ensuring your claim is presented accurately and fairly to seek rightful compensation.

Why Is Legal Representation Important?

Legal representation is crucial in motorcycle accidents due to the complex nature of liability and insurance claims. Attorneys have the knowledge to navigate these complex legal landscapes. They assist in collecting and preserving evidence, negotiating with insurance firms, and advocating on your behalf to secure compensation.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations determines how long you have to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations in Montana and Oregon generally allows a personal injury claim to be filed within three years of the date of the injury. Meeting your deadline to file a claim is critical. Missing this deadline may result in losing your ability to pursue a lawsuit. We diligently assist clients in tracking these timeframes and ensure timely and precise filing to protect your rights.

What if I Was Not Wearing Safety Gear?

Whether or not someone is wearing safety gear will impact the claim. At the very least, it will impact the severity of injuries suffered. Not wearing a helmet or other safety gear can result in more serious injuries due to minimal protection during a crash.

However, under Montana and Oregon law, a person over the age of 18 is not required to wear protective headgear (Mont. Code. Ann. § 61-9-417 (2017)). We provide guidance on how these factors can influence your claim and strategize effectively to mitigate any negative consequences.

Is a Thorough Investigation Important in Motorcycle Accident Cases?

If a police agency conducted a thorough investigation, took photos, and cited the other driver (and not the injured motorcycle driver), further investigation may not be necessary. However, we recognize that not all cases have comprehensive initial investigations, which is why our firm invests in our own extensive case analyses when needed.

The critical problem is that if the investigation is not thoroughly completed, if photos are not taken, if witnesses are gone, and if vehicles have gone, those things cannot be done later. Contacting an attorney to ensure any investigation that needs to be completed is done on time can significantly affect the outcome of the case.

Should I Work With the Insurance Company First Before Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

If a person has a minor incident where the motorcycle rider isn’t seriously injured, requires no medical treatment, and misses no work, it might be reasonable to work with the insurance company directly. However, the insurance company poses a disadvantage for any serious injury, missed work, or significant medical expenses (such as emergency room visits).

Insurance claims adjusters are trained to minimize claim values and payments even while appearing friendly. They aim to save their company money and represent their insured, meaning the person who caused the crash. Even your own company may not necessarily look after your interests, especially in uninsured motorist claims. We recommend obtaining legal counsel first to maximize fair compensation.

Do I Need to Retain a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Even if My Injuries Aren’t That Serious?

Even if the bike did not go down, it is not unusual for people in a motorcycle accident to suffer significant injury, even if they do not realize it at the time, particularly involving the spine or a concussion/brain injury. People may experience herniated discs, fractures, or concussions that they do not know about until later.

Also, in any motorcycle wreck, even when the rider is wearing a helmet, there is a significant risk of concussion/traumatic brain injury, even without hitting one’s head on the roadway. We advise seeking early and thorough medical examinations to capture any latent injuries that could manifest later, securing crucial evidence for potential claims.

What Makes Motorcycle Accident Wrecks Different Than Car Accidents?

A motorcycle rider is not surrounded by metal and mass and does not have airbags to protect them from the impact. This makes motorcycle wrecks unique and often more serious. Another major factor is that automobile drivers do not always see motorcycle riders. Even when doing exactly what they should, cars and trucks may pull out in front of them, turn abruptly, or stop suddenly, making it impossible for the rider to avoid a collision.

What Types of Injuries Do Motorcycle Riders Generally Sustain from Accidents?

Beyond the anticipated road rash and abrasions, concussions/brain injuries are often seen, along with serious fractures of the extremities and other fractures, like ribs. These injuries tend to be serious because the motorcycle rider does not have the protection offered to motor vehicle passengers or drivers. Understanding how these injuries transpire helps depict the accident circumstances accurately.

By collecting witness statements and accident scene evidence, a clearer picture is crafted to support your compensation request.

What Factors Determine the Viability of a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

The critical issue is the liability and whether the other driver is at fault for the crash. This is sometimes not as clear as we would like and requires us to conduct an investigation and sometimes a reconstruction. If there is a citation involved for the other driver for actions such as following too closely, failing to give the right of way, or failing to obey traffic control devices, the claim is particularly viable.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys. Call (406) 625-0100!

Our firm works hard to ensure the optimal outcomes for our clients. The personal injury lawyers at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., represent individuals who have suffered personal injuries in Montana and Oregon. Schedule a free consultation with us today to learn more. From the moment you reach out for your initial consultation, we are committed to providing personalized, evidence-backed advice that aligns with your unique circumstances.

Kalispell Office

704 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901

Boardman Office

202 North Main Street
Suite 1
Boardman, OR 97818