Columbia Falls Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Distracted Driving Accident Attorney In Columbia Falls

Using GPS navigation, music apps, and voice-to-text is becoming increasingly common for most drivers. However, these actions are considered distracted driving, and they can easily lead to accidents. If you or someone you love was a part of such an incident, contact a Columbia Falls distracted driving accident lawyer.

Texting while driving requires looking away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. For those driving 55 mph, this is the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field while blind.

Experienced Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in Montana

The team at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., has over 35 years of legal experience in safeguarding the legal rights of Montana communities. Our neighbors deserve to be protected. Our team’s passion lies in securing compensation for those who need and deserve it. When you get into an accident, it’s normal to feel anger at the ones responsible.

The realization that the responsible party was distracted while driving can be even more devastating to survivors. You deserve to seek compensation and justice for what you’ve had to go through. Our attorneys offer initial consultations to those involved in an accident in Columbia Falls and the surrounding areas.

Montana’s Comparative Fault System

In Montana, if someone is partly at fault in a distracted driving accident, that does not automatically prevent them from recovering damages for any injuries they sustained. A person can still seek compensation as long as their own fault is not greater than the fault of the other party involved.

However, any damages awarded will be reduced based on how much of the fault is theirs. For example, if you were speeding at the time of the accident and a person was texting when they hit you, the court may deem you 30% at fault for the incident and the other party 70% at fault.

This would mean that your final settlement amount would be reduced by 30%. If you won a $100,000 settlement, you would only receive $70,000.

If you were hurt in a distracted driving incident and want to seek compensation, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim.

Cell Phone Use and Careless Driving Laws in Montana

In Montana, a person can be held legally responsible for intentional actions that cause harm, along with injuries that result from their carelessness.

While there is no statewide law prohibiting cell phone use while driving, Montana has distracted driving accident laws that encompass it. Anyone driving a vehicle must do so carefully and responsibly. Guilty drivers can face various penalties under Montana law:

• A first offense can result in a fine of between $10 and $100.
• A second offense within a year carries a fine of between $25 and $200.
• A third or later offense within a year can lead to a fine ranging from $50 to $500.

However, if careless driving causes serious injury or death, the driver can face a fine of up to $5,000 and/or jail time of up to six months.

Columbia Falls Distracted Driving Laws

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for Americans. In 2022, there were a total of 100,498 crashes in Montana. In Columbia Falls, using a handheld phone while driving has been banned since 2012.

Drivers in Columbia Falls can use hands-free devices, but talking on a phone without one or sending text messages is not allowed. First-time violators could be fined up to $100. Repeat violators may be forced to pay fines of up to $300.

These types of cases are typically handled at the Columbia Falls City Court, located at 130 6th Street West. Be sure to hire a distracted driving accident lawyer to represent you during the entirety of your case.

Choose a Trusted Columbia Falls Law Firm

Clients choose Bliven Law Firm, P.C., so they can work with a lawyer who is passionate about what they do. This work is incredibly serious, and we’re in this to make real change for our communities. Let us take care of the legal side of your case so you can focus on your well-being.

FAQs

What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Montana Distracted Driving Case?

In Montana, if you are injured because of someone else’s actions, you can recover monetary compensation for two or three types of damages. Economic damages are losses you can put a price on, like medical bills or lost wages. Non-economic damages are losses that do not have a clear price, like pain and suffering. Punitive damages are extra money meant to punish someone for intentional wrongdoing.

What Are Montana’s Insurance Laws?

In Montana, every motor vehicle liability insurance policy must cover damages for bodily injury or death up to $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $20,000 for property damage in any one accident. If you drive a vehicle you do not own, your operator’s policy must cover damages under the same limits and conditions.

What Must I Do After Being Involved in a Car Accident?

In Montana, if a car accident results in injury, death, striking a deceased person, or property damage of $1,000 or more, you must notify the police immediately. If the accident happens outside a town, you must contact the county sheriff’s office or the nearest highway patrol office. Failing to do so can lead to legal consequences.

What Can I Do to Secure My Case After a Car Accident in Montana?

After a car accident, the first priority is your safety. Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine. Get copies of medical and incident reports. Take extensive photos of injuries and the scene. Collect witness contact information as well as the information of all parties involved. Do not admit fault or apologize, as this can be used against you later. Finally, contact a Columbia Falls distracted driving accident attorney to represent you.

Hire a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today

We understand how devastating car accidents are. Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can navigate Montana’s legal system. Our clients are never made to feel unimportant or unheard in their distracted driving accident cases.

We offer initial consultations to those living in Columbia Falls and the surrounding areas. Contact our office today to set up your appointment.