Helena Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Attorney In Helena

Motorcycle accidents in Helena often result in catastrophic injuries and unanticipated costs. A Helena motorcycle accident lawyer can examine the circumstances surrounding a wreck to determine the unique factors that caused the crash, such as a driver’s negligence in failing to yield the right of way, misjudging a motorcycle’s speed, or inattentiveness to the surrounding traffic.

Bliven Law Firm, P.C. advocates for those injured in motorcycle wrecks and investigates the factors that caused the accident and subsequent harm to pursue fair compensation.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., we serve individuals throughout Montana in their personal injury claims for motorcycle accidents and other vehicle-related injuries. We have over 30 years of experience in handling these types of claims across a range of settings, including highways, rural roads, and city streets throughout Helena.

The firm is dedicated to the timely resolution of cases, including settlement, when merited. If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we’re fully prepared to litigate to pursue a result that reflects the facts and circumstances of your case.

Where Motorcycle Accidents Occur in Helena

Roads throughout Helena can present heightened risk factors for motorcyclists when high traffic flow, turning patterns, and poor visibility intersect. Highways such as I-15 and U.S. 12 often experience a high volume of traffic and commercial vehicles, leading to risks when changing lanes or merging.

City streets like North Montana Avenue and roadways with frequent intersections, such as by Last Chance Gulch, also present a higher risk that other drivers may fail to see a motorcycle or misjudge its speed. Road conditions can also be affected by seasonal changes, which can lead to loss of traction. These location-specific details are often reviewed to understand how the environment contributed to the crash.

How Liability Is Determined in a Motorcycle Accident Claim

Liability is determined based on how each driver caused or contributed to the motorcycle accident. An investigation can examine who had the right of way, whether each driver was paying attention, and whether each person obeyed traffic laws leading up to the crash. Montana Comparative negligence laws under Mont. Code Ann. § 27-1-702 allow liability to be split among drivers.

For example, if one driver failed to yield to the motorcycle or failed to look in their blind spot, they could be partially liable along with the motorcyclist, depending on the situation. Liability is determined by how the collision took place and how each action leading up to the crash contributed to the outcome.

Evidence Used to Support a Motorcycle Accident Claim

The evidence in a motorcycle accident claim could include a police report from the scene of the crash, witness statements about the way a driver was operating their vehicle, and photographs showing the position and damage of vehicles after a collision. Maps or other diagrams could also be included to show how the road is designed and whether the road itself contributed to the crash.

Traffic camera video footage may also be available to give a visual of what happened. In some instances, medical records are examined to clearly show how injuries were directly the result of the collision. Any physical evidence that remains at the crash site may be presented as well. The presence or lack of skid marks and debris from the collision can help to show how the accident actually occurred.

FAQs

What Should I Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident in Helena?

After a motorcycle accident in Helena, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor. It is also important to report the crash so there is an official record of what happened. Please document the scene and collect contact information from others involved to preserve key details. These steps can play a role in how the accident is later reviewed.

How Does Helmet Use Affect Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Motorcycle helmet use can be a factor in the severity of injuries that result from a crash. Motorcycle riders without helmets face a 40% higher chance of dying from head injuries and a 15% greater risk of non-fatal injuries in a crash, compared to those with helmets, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Helmet use can also become part of a broader evaluation of injury severity in a claim.

Can Weather Conditions Impact Motorcycle Accident Claims?

Weather conditions may be a contributing factor when considering the behavior of the driver and the sequence of events that occurred before a crash. Rain, wind, or a temperature change can affect traction or braking distance, which can be reviewed when considering a reconstruction of how a crash occurred.

How Common Are Motorcycle Fatalities Nationwide?

Fatal motorcycle crashes are recorded annually through federal crash data. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 6,335 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes in 2023. This is approximately 15% of the total number of traffic fatalities in the United States for the year. These statistics indicate the frequency of fatal motorcycle crashes in the country and the elevated risk motorcyclists face as opposed to other motorists on the road.

Which Police Department Handles Motorcycle Accidents in Helena?

Motorcycle accidents in Helena are generally investigated by the Helena Police Department when they occur in city limits. However, if a motorcycle crash occurs on a highway such as Interstate 15 or U.S. Route 12, the Montana Highway Patrol will be in charge of the response. The accident report will be prepared by the agency that responds. This report contains important information about the crash and can be used when the crash is later analyzed.

Contact a Helena Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents in Helena can bring up questions of fault, road conditions, and driver awareness. Reviewing how the crash events unfolded can help clarify what steps to take next and how different factors may have contributed to the outcome.

Bliven Law Firm, P.C., works with motorcycle accident claims, taking a thorough and efficient approach to case resolution based on the specific details of each case. Schedule a consultation to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer and discuss your claim today.

Helena, MT Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Reviews