Montana Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney In Montana

Have you been injured in a truck accident? Do not rely on insurance companies to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Let our experienced Montana truck accident lawyer help you receive full, fair, and prompt compensation. At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., our semi-truck lawyers fight to get what you and your family deserve after a serious truck accident. From Great Falls to Missoula, we know how to maximize your recovery.

Discuss Your Potential 18-Wheeler or Big Rig Accident with a Lawyer Today. To schedule a free case evaluation with our Montana truck accident lawyers, call (406) 755-6828 or submit an online form.

Why Hire Bliven Law Firm, P.C?

For over 30 years, Montanans have counted on the experienced team at Bliven Law Firm, P.C. Don’t try to handle your case alone. Instead, hire our knowledgeable attorneys. We understand Montana’s complicated personal injury laws and know how to maximize your recovery under state and federal trucking laws.

We can hold all parties accountable for your injuries and property damage. Give us a call to learn more about our background and the legal support we offer.

Trucking Cases Are Complicated

These cases involve vastly different regulations, evidence, and liability structures than standard car accidents. When you partner with our office, we can start preserving important evidence right away, since trucking companies often control the most critical evidence and try to overwrite or destroy it within 30 days. Your attorney can:

• Demand that a trucking company keep all evidence
• Secure all black box data, which preserves information about the truck that hit you seconds before impact
• Request digital logs to obtain information about the driver and whether they were negligent or careless in the operation of their truck
• Identify any other violations in driver qualifications, maintenance standards, and cargo loading
• Ensure all liable parties are included in order to maximize your compensation

When you hire a lawyer, it levels the playing field against the trucking company and its teams of investigators. Trucking companies try to minimize their liability, and hiring an attorney helps to increase your likelihood of winning your case and getting paid.

Compensation and Damages Available for Montana Truck Accident Claims

With a winning claim, you may be entitled to different kinds of compensation. Your attorney can discuss pursuing all available economic and non-economic compensation for your specific case. You may receive:

1. Economic Damages (Financial Losses)
   • ER/ambulance, hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions
   • Physical therapy, rehab, assistive devices
   • Future medical care and life-care planning (catastrophic injury)
   • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
   • Out-of-pocket costs (travel for care, home modifications)
   • Property damage (vehicle total loss, towing, rental)
2. Non-Economic Damages (Human Losses)
   • Pain and suffering (physical pain and limitations)
   • Emotional distress/trauma (sleep issues, anxiety)
   • Loss of enjoyment of life, reduced ability to do activities
   • Disfigurement, disability, loss of independence
   • Wrongful death claim damages (if a loved one was killed)
   • Funeral/burial costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship

Each case is different, and your lawyer can explore all available compensation based on the specific facts of your case. At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., we offer free, no-obligation initial consultations so you can meet with an attorney from our office to discuss your truck accident and how we can begin investigating your case. Please reach out to schedule an initial meeting with our team to begin the process of moving forward after an accident.

The Devastating Impact of Trucking Accidents

Truck accidents are life-changing and catastrophic events. These accidents cause devastating injuries that often take months and years to heal.

When trying to overcome truck accident injuries, it is often common to undergo the following:

• Multiple surgical treatments
• Long-term care
• Rehabilitation

Navigating the Impact of a Collision

The emotional and psychological toll of a truck accident cannot be overstated. Survivors often face post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, which can profoundly impact daily life. Furthermore, victims might struggle with returning to their usual routines, feeling anxious about road safety, or being fearful of driving again.

Addressing these psychological effects is crucial, and professional counseling may be necessary to aid recovery alongside the physical healing process. As such, after a truck accident, medical bills and expenses begin to pile up. These extraordinary expenses can burden already struggling families during a very vulnerable time.

To make matters worse, during recovery, insurance companies put pressure on accident survivors. Their main goal is to settle these claims quickly, often prioritizing cost savings over a survivor’s well-being. When this happens, Montana truck accident lawyers at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can help. We know how to hold large trucking companies accountable, and we fight insurance companies aggressively for truck accident survivors.

How Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You

After a trucking accident in Montana, Bliven Law Firm, P.C. can fight aggressively for you and your family. Truck accident claims are complex and require a law firm with both the experience and resources necessary to secure successful outcomes. We dedicate ourselves to our clients from the start and offer personalized and compassionate legal guidance every step of the way.

From gathering evidence to interviewing eyewitnesses, we know what it takes to achieve a favorable resolution. Through meticulous investigation and preparation, we can identify all liable parties so our clients can seek justice.

The Importance of Legal Support

Our support covers every detail, including analyzing accident reports, reviewing company compliance with federal trucking regulations, and negotiating aggressively with insurance adjusters. We understand the nuances of the laws governing semi-truck operations and leverage this knowledge to strengthen our clients’ claims.

Have you or a loved one suffered serious injuries due to a commercial truck accident? Our truck accident attorneys can review your circumstances and help you understand your available legal options. Contact our firm to schedule a free case evaluation.

Common Truck Accident Injuries & How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Assist You

Truck accidents are often catastrophic and result in fatalities. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 4,000 people lost their lives due to truck accidents in 2018. Sadly, 67 percent of all truck accident fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants. The National Safety Council reports that in 2022, 120,000 large trucks were involved in collisions that resulted in injuries, which was a 2.5% increase from the previous year.

Also, in 2022, 5,837 large trucks were involved in accidents that resulted in fatalities. This was a 1.8% increase from the previous year and a 49% increase over 10 years.

The Risks

The risk of severe or fatal injury is much greater in a commercial truck accident case than it is in a standard passenger vehicle accident case. If you are fortunate enough to survive a trucking accident, your injuries are likely severe. Injured survivors suffer from a wide variety of life-threatening injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic burns
• Serious fractures
• Disfigurement and amputation
• Internal organ damage

Truck accident injuries often require prolonged medical care, and recovery can include physical therapy, psychological support, and workplace reintegration programs. Understanding the long-term implications of these injuries and planning for them emotionally and financially is vital for any survivor. By partnering with informed legal counsel, victims can better navigate these challenges and ensure access to the necessary resources to reclaim their quality of life.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

There are many types of truck accidents in Montana, and each carries unique risks for victims. Some of the more common types of truck collisions that our law firm sees include:

• Underride accidents: These devastating collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer of a large truck. This type of accident can lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. They are commonly caused by sudden stops or poor visibility.

• Jackknife accidents: A jackknife occurs when the truck’s trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab, typically due to sudden braking, icy roads, or loss of traction. This can block multiple lanes of traffic and lead to multi-vehicle collisions.

• Rollover accidents: Trucks have a high center of gravity. This makes them prone to rollovers during sharp turns or high speeds. These crashes can harm both truck drivers and nearby motorists.

• Blind-spot collisions: Large trucks have multiple blind spots along their sides and rear. When drivers fail to check these zones, they can sideswipe or force smaller vehicles off the road.

• Wide-turn accidents: When making right turns, truck drivers often swing wide into adjacent lanes. If a smaller car attempts to pass during this maneuver, it can be trapped or crushed.

Understanding how truck accidents occur can help victims and investigators determine liability and the true cause of a crash. A Montana truck accident lawyer can analyze evidence to identify the type of crash that occurred and who may be responsible.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Montana

After a trucking accident, there are often many different parties responsible for the crash. The truck driver, trucking company, shipping company, and truck manufacturer may all share some of the liability. Fortunately, an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer can get to the bottom of your trucking accident. Your lawyer can help establish who is to blame so you can obtain the money you deserve.

Because several entities may be held liable, there are many ways a truck accident can occur. The most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Fatigued truck drivers
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Poor weather conditions
• Speeding
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Distracted driving
• Poor truck maintenance
• Improperly trained truck drivers
• Improper loading of cargo
• Truck defects
• Trucking part malfunction

Understanding the Nature of Accidents

Understanding these issues reveals the complexities of truck operating rules, underscoring the importance of thorough training and stringent compliance checks. Detailed knowledge of these factors enables legal teams to conduct thorough investigations and build compelling cases that expose carelessness, safeguard public safety, and secure compensation for affected individuals.

Furthermore, legislative differences between states add another layer of complexity, necessitating local experience to properly manage these claims with the assistance of a truck accident attorney in Montana.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Montana

After an automobile accident in Montana, you must take specific actions to protect your safety and legal rights:

• First, if feasible, move to a safer position without leaving the scene of the collision.
• Assess yourself for injuries and contact 911 at once to report the accident and ask for medical aid if necessary.
• It is essential that you take pictures of the accident, including all vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries, before moving any of the vehicles.
• Share details with the other driver, such as names, contact info, insurance information, and car registration information. If there are eyewitnesses, be sure to get their contact details as well.
• Any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage in excess of $1,000 must be reported under Montana law.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. This step is also vital for documenting your injuries, which could be crucial for any insurance claim or legal action.
• Finally, connect with an automobile accident attorney in Montana. They can help you navigate the legal system, deal with insurance companies, and ensure you obtain proper recompense for losses and injuries.

In addition to these immediate steps, preserving evidence is crucial for your case. Retain copies of all medical records, accident reports, and communication with insurance companies. Also, keep a journal of your symptoms and any disruptions to your life caused by the accident. This documentation can be invaluable in substantiating claims for comprehensive compensation.

The aftermath of a truck accident can be confusing and stressful. You may have suffered serious injuries and have little to no recollection of how the accident happened. Some of the evidence you may need to prove liability might not be available to collect for very long, so it is crucial to reach out to a Montana truck accident lawyer at your first opportunity after the accident.

Local Trucking Routes & Risks in Montana

Montana is home to several significant highways that are key routes for commercial trucking. Interstate 90 (I-90) and Interstate 15 (I-15) are among the busiest, carrying heavy truck traffic across the state. While these routes are vital for economic activity, they also pose substantial risks for truck accidents.

The often harsh weather conditions in Montana, including snow and ice, can create perilous driving environments, especially for large trucks that require longer stopping distances and have reduced maneuverability. In addition to weather, Montana’s diverse terrain poses challenges that can significantly increase the likelihood of trucking accidents.

Many routes traverse mountainous regions, which can be treacherous and require drivers to adapt to frequent elevation changes and sharp curves. These conditions demand heightened attention and strict adherence to safety protocols. As such, accidents can have severe impacts, given the heavy cargo and high speeds involved. Ensuring safety on these routes requires collaboration between trucking companies and compliance with state regulations.

Understanding Montana Trucking Laws

Montana, like many states, has specific laws governing the operation of commercial trucks to enhance road safety. These regulations include following strict hours-of-service rules to prevent driver fatigue, maintaining regular vehicle inspections, and ensuring cargo is properly secured. Drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and comply with both state and federal regulations.

The regulatory framework also requires commercial trucks to adhere to certain weight limits to preserve road infrastructure and maintain traffic safety. State enforcement agencies periodically conduct inspections and have the authority to issue citations or take trucks out of service for non-compliance.

Understanding these local laws is crucial for those involved in trucking accidents, as violations can significantly impact liability and compensation claims. Working with knowledgeable legal professionals is critical to navigating these complexities effectively.

Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

Montana’s truck accident laws are complex. You have three years to file a personal injury claim with the help of a Montana truck accident attorney. Without legal representation, you may fail to secure the compensation that you are owed.

The decision to hire a truck accident lawyer ensures that you have support from someone who understands how comparative fault could affect your truck accident claim. If you are falsely accused of causing or contributing to a collision, your injury lawyer can take steps to make sure that the at-fault party is held accountable for the harm you endured.

The Legal Process After a Truck Accident in Montana

After a serious truck accident, the legal process involves a thorough investigation to establish liability. Your attorney can analyze photos and data from the truck’s black box. Driver logs and the testimony of injured victims can also play a critical role in shaping the outcome of an injury claim.

These steps are especially critical on Montana’s high-traffic routes, such as Interstate 90, Interstate 15, and U.S. Highway 93, where nearly 9 out of 10 fatal crashes occur on rural roadways. Alcohol is also a major factor in these collisions. A staggering 13.6% of all Montana arrests in 2023 were for alcohol-related DUI offenses, totaling about 4,000 arrests.

Once the evidence is secured, the negotiation phase begins. Your lawyer typically communicates with insurers to demand fair compensation for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to litigation. Nationally, large-truck crashes are common and devastating, with over 5,700 fatal and 117,000 injury crashes in 2021 alone.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Liability for a Commercial Truck Accident in Montana?

To prove liability for a commercial truck accident in Montana, you must gather evidence to prove the cause of the accident and identify the party or parties responsible. Liability could fall to the truck driver, but their employer may also share liability under certain conditions. It is also possible for a third-party driver to have caused your accident. Proving liability is an essential first step in recovering from your truck accident.

What Happens if a Plaintiff Shares Fault for a Truck Accident in Montana?

If a plaintiff is found to share fault for a truck accident in Montana, the state’s modified comparative fault rule applies to the case, and the plaintiff will be assigned a fault percentage. As long as the plaintiff is less at fault than the defendant, they can still recover compensation for their damages. However, they lose a percentage of the case award equal to their fault percentage.

What Are the Most Dangerous Highways in Montana?

A few of the most dangerous highways in Montana include I-90, considered one of the most dangerous in the United States; US-191, a snaking route that often freezes in the colder months; and US-93, often cited as dangerous due to its many wildlife crossings. Colder months in Montana increase the danger of driving an 18-wheeler due to the risk of freezing road surfaces and the time it takes emergency crews to respond to crashes.

Why Should I Hire a Montana Truck Accident Lawyer?

You should hire a Montana truck accident lawyer to have a better chance of success with your case. Even if liability for the accident seems clear, the reality is that big rig accident cases can be surprisingly challenging in many ways, and you are more likely to not only win your case but also maximize your recovery with an attorney’s help.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Montana at Bliven Law Firm, P.C.

The Montana personal injury lawyers at Bliven Law Firm, P.C. handle all types of trucking accidents in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Big Fork. We also serve clients in Flathead County, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, and throughout Montana. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a trucking accident and needs to hire a truck accident lawyer, give us a call right away. We provide comprehensive support.

We know that you need someone on your side after a serious trucking accident. That is why we offer free initial consultations with our attorneys. Call us and discover why so many Montana accident survivors count on Bliven Law Firm, P.C. Call us at (406) 755-6828 or fill out our confidential contact form for a consultation with a Montana truck accident attorney.

Kalispell Office

704 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901

Boardman Office

202 North Main Street
Suite 1
Boardman, OR 97818