Butte Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Trusted Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney In Butte

Delivery trucks, company cars, or other commercial vehicles involved in accidents may lead to unique questions not found in a regular crash. A Butte commercial vehicle accident lawyer can help determine whether a business, a driver, or another party caused your accident.

Accidents with commercial vehicles in Butte can involve intricate elements such as maintenance, driver training, and company protocols. Bliven Law Firm, P.C., serves those dealing with these circumstances and seeking answers. When you hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer from our firm, we can seek the settlement you deserve.

Hire an Experienced Butte Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Bliven Law Firm, P.C., handles a wide range of personal injury matters, including those with complex liability issues and those that involve extensive investigation. This firm has represented clients throughout Montana for over 30 years.

Bliven Law Firm, P.C., approaches each commercial vehicle accident case using a systematic, evidence-based method. Our firm’s attorneys are equipped to vigorously pursue fair compensation, whether through negotiation or by taking the matter to court.

How Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims Differ From Standard Car Accident Cases

Claims that involve a commercial vehicle accident may sometimes be processed in a different manner than a typical passenger vehicle accident. One reason for this is that it can be important to review the company’s corporate policies and operating procedures, as well as the conduct of the individual driver. Drivers’ records and company operating procedures may be issues in a commercial vehicle claim.

The involvement of a business can also affect the manner in which liability is evaluated and the way that the claim is presented. Sometimes, various levels of records may need to be reviewed in order to establish the cause of the accident. For this reason, commercial vehicle accident claims are sometimes processed through a more formal procedure than a typical car accident claim.

When you contact a Butte commercial accident attorney from our firm, we can help you approach your accident claim with confidence and clarity.

Negligent Maintenance and Vehicle Condition

Mechanical failure may be a direct cause of commercial vehicle accidents. Brake failure, worn tires, or broken lights, for instance, could impair a vehicle’s safe operation on the road. Drivers of these vehicles are often required to perform regular inspections and maintenance, and the owner, operator, or company could be responsible for those actions.

Failure to perform maintenance on time or correctly can create a situation that leads to an accident. Maintenance records and repair history are often critical to review in Butte, where commercial traffic can include service vehicles as well as big rigs.

Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations

Driver fatigue in commercial vehicles can impair a driver’s reaction time, awareness, and judgment. Federal hours-of-service limits, such as those in 49 CFR Part 395, place a maximum length of time a driver is permitted to be on-duty without rest. Hours are typically recorded in a logbook or electronic logging device.

In some cases, if a driver is on duty for an extended period or fails to take mandated rest breaks, driver fatigue may have been a contributing factor in a collision. It may be possible to gain an understanding of the manner in which a driver was operating at the time of a collision by reviewing these records.

Our team understands commercial vehicle accident laws and regulations. We can use this in-depth knowledge to build a case that seeks accountability for what happened to you.

Insurance Coverage and Commercial Policy Structures

Commercial vehicle insurance can involve a number of complexities. It may include multiple policies with higher limits or stacked coverage. There may be one policy for the owner-operator and another policy for company-employed drivers. A single policy may have more than one party covered for the operation of the vehicle.

It is also possible that multiple insurance companies are involved. Looking at the way the insurance policies connect to the specifics of the incident can help in determining available coverage and financial responsibility.

Common Injuries in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Accidents involving commercial vehicles often result in more severe injuries than ordinary car accidents. Commercial vehicles are typically much larger and heavier than passenger cars, leading to a much more serious risk upon impact.

This type of especially forceful collision can involve delivery vans, utility trucks, construction vehicles, company-owned pickups, or tractor-trailers. Victims can suffer life-threatening injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation.

While these injuries can be terrifying to think about, our law firm can ease some of the pain by handling your case and seeking a fair settlement on your behalf.

While the severity of an injury can depend on the vehicle’s size and speed, as well as the angle of impact and whether multiple vehicles were involved, any injury can be serious. They fall into many categories, but a few are more common and often more serious.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most serious injuries a person can face. These can occur when a person’s head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or other object due to the sudden impact. Even when there is no direct impact, a violent motion in a crash can cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull.

Common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include:

• Memory loss
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Sleep disturbances

Severe brain injuries can result in permanent cognitive impairments, personality changes, and a reduced earning capacity. 22% of those suffering TBIs died from their injuries within five years, showing the serious risk of accumulating damage and escalating risks.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

The tremendous force generated in commercial vehicle accidents can place significant stress on the spine. Victims may suffer herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, nerve damage, or complete spinal cord injuries.

Serious spinal injuries can lead to:

• Chronic pain
• Limited mobility
• Loss of sensation
• Partial paralysis
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia

Spinal cord injuries can require extensive surgery, rehabilitation therapy, adaptive equipment, and medication. In addition, these injuries can often lead to other health problems that cause compounding damage.

For example, mobility issues can lead to weight gain. This can put more stress on the joints, further straining them and limiting mobility even more.

Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries

Fractures and broken bones are extremely common in commercial vehicle accidents. Victims may suffer multiple broken bones due to the force of the impact. A person may experience damage to their arms, legs, ribs, pelvic area, hips, face, and collarbone.

While some fractures and broken bones heal with relatively straightforward treatment, others may require complex surgeries and implanted hardware to heal, complete with lengthy rehabilitation programs so victims can learn how to move and use their limbs normally again.

Internal Injuries and Soft Tissue Injuries

Not all serious injuries are immediately visible. Commercial vehicle accidents can cause internal bleeding and damage to vital organs, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen.

Internal injuries may become life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated quickly. Symptoms can sometimes be delayed, making prompt medical evaluation critical after any significant collision.

Commercial vehicles can also cause injuries like severe cuts and lacerations, burns, and more. These can lead to infections and other medical complications, greatly escalating pain levels, medical bills, and time in treatment.

While some injuries may heal relatively quickly, others can require lifelong management. Our law firm believes that any injury you have could be grounds for a commercial vehicle accident case. When you contact us, we can help you learn what settlement you may be entitled to.

What Should You Do After a Commercial Vehicle Accident

A commercial vehicle accident only takes a second to happen. But the effects can be life-changing, and the immense fear a person feels is warranted. However, acting with clarity in the moments after can make all the difference.

The actions you take immediately after a commercial vehicle accident can significantly affect both your physical recovery as well as your ability to pursue compensation.

Commercial accidents can lead to claims with multiple corporate defendants, overlapping insurance policies, and extensive investigations. Taking proper steps can safeguard your future, both in terms of your potential future settlement and your well-being.

Seek Medical Attention First

Your immediate priority after any vehicular accident should be your health. Given how commercial vehicle accidents can be more damaging than their passenger vehicle counterparts, this part of the process is especially crucial.

Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it’s important to get a proper examination. Some injuries, including internal bleeding, concussions, and spinal damage, can be very hard to detect at first. This is especially true because the adrenaline and shock of the moment can mask some damage, yet the effects of the harm become apparent in the hours and days after.

A proper medical examination can reveal the details of your injuries, so you get quick guidance on how to treat them. This is beneficial for a few reasons:

• You can begin addressing your injuries before their damage can compound or cause other problems.
• You can use the medical reports to link the current and future effects of your injuries to the accident, which is helpful in insurance negotiations and in court.
• You get the psychological benefit of knowing you prioritized your health, which can make it easier to take other necessary steps to address your accident.

If emergency responders want to take you to be examined, it may be a good idea to go with them, as this provides you with immediate medical guidance and effectively sets in motion your response to the accident.

Contact Law Enforcement to Report the Accident

A police report is often one of the most important pieces of evidence in a commercial vehicle accident claim. Officers can document the scene, gather witness statements, identify involved parties, and record initial observations about fault.

The accident report may contain important information such as:

• Driver statements
• Witness accounts
• Vehicle information
• Insurance details
• Road conditions
• Traffic violations

Because commercial accident cases frequently involve disputes regarding liability, official documentation can be extremely valuable.

Gather Information About the Other Vehicle

If possible, gather information about the commercial vehicle. This is crucial, as it can provide guidance on which freight companies may be responsible for part or all of the accident.

If tensions are high, you may want to wait until law enforcement arrives and you report the accident to gather this information. If possible, try to get key pieces of information such as:

• Driver’s name
• Employer name
• Commercial vehicle identification numbers
• License plate information
• Company logos displayed on the vehicle
• Insurance information

These key pieces of information can make a big difference in your case and help it proceed swiftly based on the facts. Photos are also helpful, including ones of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, visible injuries, skid marks, and any other elements of the situation you believe may be useful.

FAQs

Can Fault Be Shared in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim in Montana?

Fault may be apportioned in a commercial vehicle accident claim, depending on the circumstances of the collision. Butte, Montana follows a modified comparative fault system. This means a party can only seek compensation if their fault is 50% or less, with any awarded damages being lowered by that same percentage.

In commercial vehicle matters, fault can be assigned to different drivers, businesses, or other parties deemed responsible, reflecting how much they contributed to the crash.

How Often Do Large Truck Crashes Result in Fatalities?

In 2022, 5,936 people lost their lives in crashes involving large trucks, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These incidents involved a mix of roadway users, including occupants of passenger vehicles and truck drivers. The number reflects the scale of fatal outcomes tied to collisions with commercial vehicles and how widely those impacts can extend beyond the truck itself.

How Often Do Large Truck Crashes Lead to Injuries?

In 2022, it is estimated that approximately 160,6008 individuals were injured in crashes involving large trucks, per the FMCSA. NHTSA’s CRSS data indicates an 11% rise in injury crashes involving large trucks and buses, climbing from 112,000 in 2016 to 124,000 by 2022. Injury outcomes can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the vehicle, the point of impact, and the roadway conditions at the time of the crash.

Where Do Commercial Vehicle Accidents Commonly Occur Around Butte?

Commercial vehicle crashes in and around Butte are frequently seen along high travel corridors where there are higher concentrations of commercial traffic. Roads like Interstate 90 and Interstate 15 are common carriers of freight and long-distance trucks.

Increased speed, merging traffic, and higher travel distances play a part in how collisions unfold. The location of the accident can affect how roadway conditions and traffic flow are analyzed.

Hire a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving commercial vehicles can introduce additional considerations, particularly when multiple parties or business operations are involved.

Establishing how liability is apportioned can include an analysis of employer-employee relationships, use of a vehicle, and other causal factors. These claims often bring a wider scope of information than a typical collision, which can have an impact on how the claim is processed.

Bliven Law Firm, P.C., represents claims where a vehicle was being operated in a business capacity and aims to investigate how liability could be apportioned. By dissecting the surrounding facts, this process can provide a clearer understanding of how the legal proceedings may progress and how to prepare. Schedule a consultation to hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer.

Butte, MT Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Reviews