Columbia Falls Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney In Columbia Falls

Getting into a car accident is a common fear and an unfortunately common reality for many. No matter how well you prepare or how safely you drive, you can’t predict how others on the road will act. No matter who’s responsible, it’s vital to hire a Columbia Falls car accident lawyer if you’ve been involved in an accident.

Why Locals Choose Bliven Law Firm, P.C.

The skilled legal professionals at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., have been working with Montana and Oregon residents for over 35 years. Our team’s passion lies in securing compensation for those who need it most. While you’re in recovery from the accident, we’ll take care of the legal side of things for you. We offer initial consultations to those injured in an accident in Columbia Falls or the surrounding cities.

Columbia Falls Comparative Negligence Laws

With tourism to Glacier National Park and the North Fork Valley, traffic can become congested for those living in Columbia Falls. U.S. Highway 2 and Highway 40 are major roads that connect the city to Whitefish and Kalispell.

With its close proximity to the Flathead River, Hungry Horse Dam and Reservoir, and the Flathead National Forest, car crashes are more likely for Columbia Falls commuters. In 2022, there were a total of 100,498 crashes in Montana. Common crashes include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Motorcycle accidents
• T-bone collisions
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicyclist incidents
• Sideswipe accidents
• Rollover incidents

Between 2014 and 2023, there were 20 bicyclist fatalities and 251 motorcyclist deaths in Montana. Pedestrian fatalities made up 7.5% of all crash fatalities in the state during that timeframe.

In Montana, a person can be held legally responsible for injuries they cause. This can include injuries that happen because of intentional actions or a failure to use ordinary care that resulted in harm to another. For most car accident claims, you must file within three years.

Montana follows a system called comparative negligence. Car accidents commonly happen because of multiple parties. If you are partly at fault for an accident, you can still seek compensation as long as your fault is not greater than the fault of the other person involved. However, the amount you receive will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

For example, if you were found speeding at the time a car that ran a stop sign hit you, you may be found 40% at fault and the other party 60%. Your total financial award would then be reduced by 40%. No two cases are the same. Be sure to hire a car accident lawyer who can explain what laws apply to your unique situation.

Insurance Laws in Montana

In Montana, every driver must have liability insurance for their vehicle. The minimum coverage required is:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
• $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people
• $20,000 for property damage in any accident

Insurance must cover the driver, even if they are using a vehicle they do not own, under the same limits. The insurance cannot be canceled after an accident or injury has occurred.

Montana Car Accident Laws

In Montana, if you are driving and get into an accident with another party involved, you must stop your vehicle immediately at the scene. You must then report the accident to the police if you are involved in an accident that:

• Causes injury
• Causes death
• Hits a deceased person
• Causes property damage of $1,000 or more

In Montana, if you break the law about stopping and reporting car accidents, you can face heavy fines and even jail time.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today

Clients who come into Bliven Law Firm, P.C., are treated with compassion from the first appointment. We know how difficult recovering mentally and physically from a car accident can be.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and survivors often suffer from lifelong injuries. While opening a legal case can’t take away the painful experience you’ve survived, it can make your future easier to cope with. Schedule a free case evaluation with Bliven Law Firm to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

FAQs

What Is the Burden of Proof in a Car Accident Claim?

In Montana, when someone makes a claim for a car accident, they must usually prove that it is more likely than not that the accident caused their injury. It means the evidence must show that the claim is more probable than not. It doesn’t have to be 100% certain. However, just saying it happened or showing a small possibility is not enough.

How Do I Prove Fault in a Montana Car Accident Case?

To prove another party’s fault in a car accident, you’ll need strong evidence. You must also show that the other person had a legal duty to act with care and that they failed to meet this duty, which directly resulted in your injury. You also need to prove that you wouldn’t have been injured were it not for the other party’s failure. Finally, you must establish that you suffered real harm as a result. This harm can be injuries or financial loss.

What Kind of Evidence Do I Need to Prove Fault?

Evidence to prove fault in a car accident case can include dashcam or traffic footage, photographs of the injuries and scene, and witness statements. Be sure to include copies of the incident and medical reports. Your Columbia Falls car accident attorney may contact another professional, such as an accident reconstructionist, to give their opinion about the crash, which can strengthen your case.

How Do Montana Authorities Know If I Have the Required Insurance?

Montana has set up a system to check if drivers have the required car insurance. The DMV, working with the insurance commissioner, created this system. It works by sending electronic requests to insurance companies to verify coverage. DMV staff, courts, law enforcement, and county treasurers can access the database for free.

Choose a Trusted Montana Law Firm

Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can determine what legal options are available to you, which is why we provide our new clients with initial consultations.

You don’t have to struggle in silence anymore. We help residents of Columbia Falls and the surrounding cities. Contact our team today to learn more.