Serious Three-Vehicle Accident on Highway 93 Near Polson Requires Complex Rescue and Air Transport

A serious three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 93 and Tower Road near Polson shut down one of Montana’s busiest north-south corridors for over an hour on Tuesday evening, February 4, as emergency responders worked to free a trapped driver from their severely damaged vehicle.

The accident, which occurred around 5:15 p.m., left one person with serious injuries requiring airlift transport to Kalispell and a second driver transported by ground ambulance. According to the Polson Rural Fire District, the extent of the vehicle damage and the design of the car created such complex extrication challenges that mutual aid from Polson City Fire was necessary.

As a Montana personal injury attorney serving families throughout Lake County and Western Montana, I’m sharing this information not just to report on another Highway 93 accident, but to help Montana drivers understand their rights when serious crashes like this occur on one of our state’s most dangerous roadways.

The Polson Highway 93 Accident: What We Know

According to reports from the Polson Rural Fire District, emergency responders arrived at Highway 93 and Tower Road to find one person trapped inside their vehicle with serious injuries. The crash involved three vehicles, though specific details about how the collision occurred have not yet been released by investigating authorities.

What made this rescue operation particularly challenging was the combination of factors facing first responders. The vehicle’s design, the position of the trapped occupant, the severity of their injuries, and the extent of damage to the car all complicated extraction efforts. These challenges required the Polson Rural Fire District to request mutual aid from Polson City Fire for additional resources and specialized equipment.

After successfully freeing the trapped victim, emergency medical personnel determined that the severity of their injuries required immediate air transport. The patient was airlifted by ALERT helicopter service to a medical facility in Kalispell for treatment. A second driver involved in the crash was transported to Kalispell by ground ambulance with Polson Ambulance Inc.

Multi-Agency Response

The complex nature of this rescue operation required coordination between multiple emergency response agencies, including:

• Polson Rural Fire District
• Polson City Fire Department
• Polson Ambulance Inc.
• ALERT helicopter service
• Lake County Sheriff’s Office
• Lake County Dispatch

Highway 93 remained closed in both directions during the lengthy rescue operation to ensure the safety of both victims and emergency responders. The Polson Rural Fire District thanked the public for their patience during the extended highway closure, which lasted approximately 90 minutes.

Highway 93’s Ongoing Safety Concerns

This accident is far from an isolated incident on Highway 93. The corridor between Missoula and Kalispell has been the subject of ongoing safety concerns for years, with local residents, business owners, and transportation officials all recognizing the urgent need for improvements.

A History of Dangerous Crashes

Highway 93 connects Missoula and Kalispell, serving as a vital north-south route through Western Montana. According to recent crash data analysis, certain sections of Highway 93 experience accident rates significantly higher than the statewide average. The winding sections near Lost Trail Pass, for example, have suffered accidents at nearly four times the statewide average rate.

The Mission Valley corridor where this recent Polson accident occurred has been particularly problematic. In August 2025, a devastating two-vehicle crash north of St. Ignatius on Highway 93 claimed the lives of four women – Denise Burland of Polson, Jo Lynn Leishman of Pablo, Lanelle Fisher of Ronan, and Kimberly R. Hewankorn of Polson – when their passenger vehicle collided with an RV. That crash shut down the highway for over three hours.

In October 2025, KPAX reported on mounting safety concerns along Highway 93 between Missoula and Kalispell, with local businesses noting that dangerous conditions regularly disrupt operations and impact the community. Ninepipes Lodge owner Brian Morton explained that events at his business have been affected when the highway is completely closed for hours due to serious accidents.

Planned Improvements Stalled by Funding

The Montana Department of Transportation has acknowledged that Highway 93 requires significant upgrades. Plans had called for comprehensive reconstruction including turn lanes, eight-foot shoulders, and overall safety improvements. However, funding challenges have stalled progress on critical sections.

According to MDT officials, the Ninepipes portion of the highway lost funding, and the department doesn’t have core funds available to build the planned improvements. While the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are moving forward with work in the Post Creek area, funding cuts for other sections mean safety improvements may take longer than originally anticipated.

A corridor study between Missoula and Florence identified traffic volumes ranging from 12,000 to 28,000 vehicles per day on U.S. 93, with the heaviest traffic occurring north of Lolo to Missoula. The study outlined potential improvements including intersection enhancements, wildlife crossings, high-friction surfacing, and urban transition zones – with a total estimated cost of $203 million in 2025 dollars.

Understanding Complex Vehicle Extrications

The Polson Rural Fire District’s description of this rescue as requiring “complex extrication efforts” highlights the serious nature of the crash. When fire departments describe an extraction as complex, they’re typically dealing with one or more challenging factors.

What Makes an Extrication Complex

Modern vehicle design, while improving safety in many ways, can paradoxically make extraction more difficult when serious accidents occur. High-strength steel frames, side-impact protection systems, and crumple zones that protect occupants during a crash can also make it harder for first responders to access and remove trapped victims.

Complex extrications may involve:

• Vehicles with extensive structural damage requiring specialized cutting equipment
• Occupants trapped in positions that make safe removal difficult
• Serious injuries that require careful stabilization before movement
• Multiple points of entrapment requiring sequential cutting operations
• Hazards like fuel leaks, electrical systems, or unstable vehicle positions

According to the National Fire Protection Association, vehicle extrication is one of the most dangerous operations fire departments perform, requiring specialized training and equipment. When a fire department requests mutual aid for an extrication, as happened in this Polson accident, it typically indicates the need for additional personnel, specialized tools, or expertise beyond what the initial responding agency has immediately available.

The Role of Air Medical Transport

The decision to airlift the trapped victim to Kalispell rather than transport by ground ambulance reflects the severity of their injuries. Air ambulance services like ALERT provide critical care during transport and can reach advanced medical facilities much faster than ground ambulances, particularly in rural areas.

In Montana, where distances between advanced trauma centers can be significant, air medical transport often makes the difference in outcomes for seriously injured patients. However, the high cost of air ambulance services – often tens of thousands of dollars – can create additional financial burdens for accident victims and their families.

Your Legal Rights After a Serious Highway 93 Accident

Montana operates under a fault-based system for car accidents. This means that when someone causes an accident through negligence, they (or more typically, their insurance company) are financially responsible for the resulting damages. Understanding your rights under Montana law is crucial after a serious accident.

Montana’s Fault-Based Insurance System

When you’re injured in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for:

Economic Damages:

• All medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future medical needs
• Lost wages and benefits from time missed from work
• Future lost earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation
• Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering from your injuries
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life and activities you can no longer participate in
• Permanent disfigurement or disability
• Loss of consortium for your spouse

Time Limits for Filing Claims

Montana law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. Under Montana Code Annotated § 27-2-204, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and in some cases, the deadline may be shorter.

Don’t let these deadlines lull you into complacency. Evidence preservation begins immediately after an accident, and insurance companies start building their defense right away. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the better positioned you’ll be to protect your rights.

Dealing with Multiple Parties in Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Three-vehicle accidents like the one near Polson create additional complexity in determining liability and pursuing compensation. Potentially at-fault parties might include:

• The driver who initially caused the collision
• Other drivers who contributed to the accident through their own negligence
• Vehicle manufacturers if defective parts contributed to the crash
• Government entities responsible for highway maintenance if road conditions played a role

Identifying all potentially liable parties is critical because it maximizes your available compensation sources. This is especially important when serious injuries exceed the insurance coverage limits of a single at-fault driver.

Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Accidents

While we don’t yet know the specific cause of the recent Highway 93 accident near Polson, multi-vehicle crashes on Montana highways typically result from one or more common factors.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of multi-vehicle accidents. When drivers take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving, they may not notice traffic slowing or stopping ahead, leading to chain-reaction collisions. Cell phone use, eating, adjusting controls, and conversations with passengers all contribute to distracted driving crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2021, distracted driving killed 3,522 people nationwide. On busy corridors like Highway 93 where traffic volumes can exceed 28,000 vehicles per day in some sections, even a momentary distraction can have devastating consequences.

Speed and Road Conditions

Montana’s variable weather conditions create additional hazards on Highway 93. Rain, snow, ice, and high winds can all reduce traction and visibility, making it harder to stop safely. Drivers who fail to adjust their speed for conditions or who follow too closely may not be able to avoid collisions when traffic slows or stops.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, weather contributes to approximately 21% of vehicle crashes nationwide, with rain and wet pavement being the most common weather-related factors.

Intersection Crashes

The Highway 93 and Tower Road intersection where this accident occurred represents a common high-risk location. Intersections require drivers to process multiple sources of information simultaneously – traffic signals or signs, vehicles approaching from different directions, pedestrians, and road conditions. Driver errors at intersections, including failure to yield, running red lights or stop signs, and improper turning, frequently result in serious multi-vehicle crashes.

Impaired Driving

Drunk driving and drug-impaired driving continue to cause serious accidents on Montana roadways. According to Montana Highway Patrol crash data, while impaired driving is involved in only about 7% of all crashes, it accounts for approximately 35% of crashes with serious injuries. Montana unfortunately ranks among the deadliest states for traffic fatalities, with a 2021 fatality rate of 1.77 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled – the 5th highest rate in the nation. In 2021 alone, Montana experienced 239 traffic fatalities.

What to Do After a Serious Accident in Montana

If you’re involved in a serious accident on Highway 93 or anywhere else in Montana, the actions you take immediately afterward can significantly impact both your health and any future legal claim.

Immediate Steps at the Scene

1. Ensure Safety and Call 911. If anyone is injured, calling emergency services is your first priority. Don’t attempt to move seriously injured people unless there’s immediate danger like fire.
2. Move to Safety if Possible. If your vehicle is drivable and you’re not seriously injured, move it out of traffic lanes to prevent additional collisions. Highway 93’s high traffic volumes make staying in the roadway extremely dangerous.
3. Document the Scene. If you’re physically able, take photos of:

• All vehicles involved from multiple angles
• Damage to your vehicle
• The overall accident scene, including road conditions and traffic control devices
• Skid marks, debris, or other physical evidence
• Your injuries (in appropriate, non-graphic ways)

4. Exchange Information. Get contact and insurance information from all drivers involved, but avoid discussing fault or making statements about what happened. Anything you say can be used against you later.
5. Report to Law Enforcement. Montana law requires reporting accidents that result in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office or Montana Highway Patrol will investigate and create an official accident report.

Critical Actions in the Days Following

Seek Medical Attention. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, get evaluated by a healthcare provider. Some serious injuries like internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, or soft tissue damage may not show symptoms immediately. Medical records created promptly after the accident are also crucial evidence in any future claim.

Notify Your Insurance Company. Report the accident to your own insurance company, but be cautious about giving recorded statements or signing releases before consulting with an attorney. Insurance companies – even your own – are businesses focused on minimizing payouts.

Preserve Evidence. Keep all documentation related to the accident, including:

• Medical records and bills
• Wage loss documentation
• Photos and videos
• Repair estimates and receipts
• Communication with insurance companies

Consult with a Montana Personal Injury Attorney Before accepting any settlement offer or signing any documents from insurance companies, talk to an experienced attorney who handles Highway 93 accident cases. Initial consultations are typically free, and you’ll learn about your rights and options without any obligation.

How Bliven Law Firm Can Help

At Bliven Law Firm, we’ve represented Montana families throughout Lake County, Flathead County, and Western Montana who have been injured in serious accidents on Highway 93 and other dangerous corridors. We understand the unique challenges Montana accident victims face – from dealing with air ambulance bills to navigating insurance companies that don’t prioritize Montana families.

We Know Highway 93

Highway 93 runs through the heart of the communities we serve. We’ve handled cases involving accidents near Polson, St. Ignatius, Evaro, Lolo, and throughout the Mission Valley corridor. We understand the specific hazards of this roadway, the common causes of accidents in this area, and how to investigate and prove fault in complex multi-vehicle crashes.

We Handle Complex Cases

Serious accidents requiring vehicle extraction and air ambulance transport typically involve catastrophic injuries. These aren’t simple fender-benders with a few medical bills. They’re life-changing events that may require years of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments.

At Bliven Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to handle complex cases involving:

• Catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe orthopedic trauma
• Multiple liable parties in multi-vehicle crashes
• Inadequate insurance coverage requiring pursuit of all available compensation sources
• Future medical needs and life care planning
• Economic losses including long-term disability and lost earning capacity

We Work on Contingency

We know that after a serious accident, the last thing you need is to worry about upfront legal fees. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis – we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you. This means:

• No upfront costs or retainer fees
• No out-of-pocket expenses for investigation, expert witnesses, or litigation costs
• Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict we recover for you
• If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing

We Can Help with Medical Treatment

One of the biggest challenges accident victims face is accessing the medical care they need when bills are piling up and insurance companies are delaying payment. At Bliven Law Firm, we work hard to obtain advance settlements for medical treatment and lost wages before the final settlement so you can focus on your recovery. Medical, wage, and hardship advances may be available to help you get the care you need without depleting your savings or going into debt.

Lake County Is Our Community

Bliven Law Firm serves families throughout Lake County, including Polson and surrounding communities. When you work with us, you’re working with Montana attorneys who understand our local courts, know the roads where these accidents happen, and are committed to fighting for justice for our neighbors.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one was involved in the recent Highway 93 accident near Polson or any other serious crash in Montana, we encourage you to contact us for a free, confidential consultation. Time is critical in accident cases – evidence can be lost, witnesses’ memories fade, and legal deadlines approach.

Call Bliven Law Firm or schedule your free case evaluation online. As Montana personal injury attorneys dedicated to protecting Montana families, we’re here to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.

The emergency responders who worked to free the trapped victim in this Highway 93 accident did everything they could to save lives. Now it’s time to ensure that the victims get the justice and compensation they deserve as they work toward recovery. That’s what we do at Bliven Law Firm – we fight for Montana families when they need it most.

Kalispell Office

704 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901

Boardman Office

202 North Main Street, Suite 1
Boardman, OR 97818