Helena Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Attorney In Helena

If you have been injured in an incident caused by another person’s negligence or wrongful actions, you may feel like your life is falling apart. Mounting medical bills, lost wages, and psychological trauma may prevent you from even thinking about pursuing compensation. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. If you are in the Helena area, you can take the first practical step toward recovery by contacting a Helena, MT, personal injury lawyer.

About Bliven Law Firm, P.C.

At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., we have over three decades of experience advocating for the rights of personal injury victims in Montana. We approach each case with compassion and empathy, mindful that our clients come to us during very vulnerable times. We have two Montana offices in Kalispell and Boardman, but if you cannot travel, we can come to you at the hospital or to your home.

What Constitutes a Personal Injury Case in Helena, Montana?

If your injury was a direct result of someone else’s actions or inactions, you most likely have a legitimate personal injury case. For a claim to be successful, the following statements must be true:

• The liable party had a duty of care to the injured party.
• The duty of care was breached.
• The victim’s injury was directly caused by this breach.
• The victim suffered losses because of the injury.

An endless number of scenarios in life can result in injuries, and no two personal injury cases are exactly the same. However, some incident categories commonly result in personal injury claims. Some examples of these include the following: 

• Car accidents. Car accidents are exceptionally common in the modern world, resulting in a high number of personal injury claims. In 2022 alone, Montana recorded over 22,000 car accidents.
• Medical malpractice. Medical procedures and treatments can be risky. When doctors or other healthcare workers make mistakes, those missteps can result in patient injury or death. This is more common than one might think. Shockingly, up to 9.5% of deaths in hospital settings can be attributed to malpractice.
• Slip-and-fall accidents. Each year, about 8 million Americans go to the emergency room for fall-related injuries. Slip-and-fall accidents involving wet floors, slick surfaces, or ice are common causes for personal injury cases.
• Burn Injuries. Burn injuries can cause severe pain, long recovery periods, scarring, and emotional trauma. They may result from house fires, vehicle fires, chemical exposure, electrical accidents, workplace incidents, or explosions, and victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Personal Injury Compensation in Helena, Montana

The financial losses that follow a personal injury can represent a significant, life-altering burden for victims and their families. Injured individuals have the legal right to pursue compensation for those losses. Standard aspects of personal injury settlements are as follows:

• Medical expenses. Medical bills associated with personal injuries can reach tens of thousands of dollars, if not more, very quickly.
• Lost wages. Many hardworking people cannot afford to miss a single paycheck. Unfortunately, personal injury victims are sometimes forced to miss several. Lost wages can add financial stress, and long absences from work may even lead to job loss.
• Pain and suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering accounts for both physical pain from an injury and associated emotional distress.

The first practical step toward getting compensation for a personal injury is usually filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. However, filing a claim alone often does not lead to getting a fair settlement.

Hire a Helena Personal Injury Lawyer

Insurance companies are, first and foremost, businesses, and they want more money coming in than going out. To that end, they often deny or underpay claims that should be covered according to their own policies. This is why it is a good idea to hire a personal injury lawyer before you even file your initial claim. Your attorney can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. Sometimes, communication from a lawyer is enough to encourage payment of the claim.

If, however, your claim is denied or underpaid, your attorney can file a personal injury claim for you. Your lawyer can negotiate with the defendant to reach a fair and satisfactory settlement. If the case ultimately goes to trial, your lawyer can advocate for you in the courtroom, as well.

FAQs

Where Are Personal Injury Case Trials Held in Helena, Montana?

In Montana, many personal injury cases are handled by the district court that serves the county where the plaintiff lives. There are very few exceptions to this. If your Helena personal injury case does go to trial, the hearing will most likely be held at the Lewis and Clark County District Courthouse, which is located at 228 Broadway Street in Helena.

Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Court?

It is impossible to predict whether your personal injury case will go to court, but that outcome is very unlikely. Most personal injury cases settle out of court well before reaching the trial stage. In most scenarios, settling out of court is the most efficient and cost-effective solution for all parties involved. Court proceedings are expensive and time-consuming, so most defendants are willing to settle if a plaintiff has a legitimate case.

What Medical Expenses Should Be Covered in a Personal Injury Settlement?

A fair personal injury settlement should include any and all medical bills related to the injury, from the very first emergency room bill to the last physical therapy session. The goal of a settlement is to erase the financial impact on the victim. If you have been injured, it is important to keep track of all of your medical expenses for the purpose of including them in your final settlement.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Helena, Montana?

In Helena, Montana, you have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim. This period is established by the Montana statute of limitations for personal injury cases, codified in Section 27-2-204 of the Montana Code. After this three-year window, the incident is no longer legally actionable. Therefore, if you need compensation, it is essential to hire a lawyer and act promptly.

Contact Bliven Law Firm, P.C.

If you have suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s wrongful actions or negligence, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps. However, you can pursue the compensation you need to begin moving forward again. At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., we are ready to walk with you every step of the way. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your case.

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