East Helena Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury Attorney In East Helena

If you have been injured because of the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, you may feel like your life has been turned upside down. Between mounting medical bills, possible lost wages, and psychological and emotional trauma, you might be too overwhelmed to even think about pursuing compensation. If you are in the East Helena area and facing a personal injury, you could benefit from the help of an experienced East Helena, MT, personal injury lawyer.

About Bliven Law Firm, P.C.

At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., we have been advocating for personal injury victims in Montana for more than three decades. We approach each case with empathy and compassion, working tirelessly to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients. We have two Montana offices, in Kalispell and Boardman, and if you cannot come to us, we will come to you. We provide hospital and in-home visits when clients are unable to travel.

What Constitutes a Personal Injury Case in East Helena?

Personal injury cases can arise from myriad situations. Any time one person is injured because of someone else’s neglect or wrongful actions, the injured party is likely to have a legitimate claim. No two personal injury cases are alike, but for a person to file a personal injury claim, the following must generally be true: 

• The liable party had a duty of care in the situation to keep themselves and/or others safe.
• The duty of care was breached in some way.
• The victim’s injury was directly caused by the liable party’s actions or inaction.
• The victim suffered losses because of the injury.

Some examples of common situations that result in personal injury cases are as follows: 

• Car accidents. Car accidents and the injuries they cause are exceptionally common. In 2022, Montana recorded over 22,000 car accidents.
• Medical malpractice. Sometimes, through accident, negligence, or incompetence, doctors and other healthcare workers make mistakes that result in serious injury or death. An estimated 9.5% of deaths that occur in hospitals are directly attributable to medical errors.
• Slip-and-fall accidents. Another common personal injury scenario is a slip-and-fall incident. Falls cause many injuries each year, accounting for about 8 million emergency room visits.

Compensation for Personal Injury Cases in East Helena

If you have suffered an injury because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you can pursue compensation for your losses. Standard categories of personal injury compensation are as follows: 

• Medical bills. The cost of healthcare can be astronomical, and most people are not equipped to handle tens or even hundreds of thousands in medical bills following an injury. A personal injury settlement should take care of all medical expenses.
• Lost wages. When someone is injured to the point that they need significant medical care, they are likely to be out of work for a while. Lost wages can quickly create a financial burden for injury victims and their families, so personal injury compensation should offset these losses.
• Pain and suffering. It may seem strange to quantify pain and suffering, but it is a standard component of personal injury settlements. Pain and suffering compensation takes into account both the physical pain associated with the injury and any mental or emotional trauma related to the accident.

The first step in getting compensation for a personal injury is to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. However, this is often not enough to reach a satisfactory settlement.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

It is an unfortunate fact that insurance companies generally do everything they can to avoid paying, even for claims they should fully cover. It is always a good idea to hire a personal injury lawyer, even before filing the first insurance claim. Your attorney can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and sometimes that’s all it takes to encourage them to honor their policies.

However, sometimes insurance companies still come back with a denial or a compensation offer that does not cover a victim’s losses. If that happens to you, your attorney can file a legal personal injury claim against the insurance company or the liable party themselves. Your lawyer can then handle settlement negotiations for you and, if need be, represent you in court.

FAQs

Where Are Personal Injury Cases Handled in East Helena?

In Montana, the vast majority of personal injury cases are handled in the district court that serves the county where the plaintiff lives. For people filing cases in East Helena, the most likely court is the First Judicial District Court at 228 East Broadway in Helena. Your attorney can help you determine whether your case might be an exception to this.

Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Court?

Your personal injury case will most likely not go to court. Many personal injury cases settle long before reaching a courtroom. When a plaintiff has a legitimate personal injury case, it is more cost-effective for a defendant to settle rather than go through a trial, pay court and attorney fees, and likely be ordered to pay compensation anyway.

What Medical Expenses Should Be Included in a Personal Injury Settlement?

All medical expenses related to the injury should be included in a personal injury settlement. This includes emergency care, such as ambulance rides, emergency room visits, and surgery, as well as long-term or supportive care, such as physical therapy, medications, or adaptive equipment. From the first bill to the final bill, all expenses should be documented and included in the settlement.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in East Helena?

The length of time you have to file a personal injury claim in East Helena is subject to the Montana statute of limitations. According to Section 27-2-204 of the Montana Code, injured people have three years from the date of the incident to file a legal claim. After this time has passed, injury victims can no longer pursue compensation through legal action.

Contact Bliven Law Firm, P.C.

If you have been injured, you may be overwhelmed by the financial burden of medical bills and lost work, not to mention the psychological and emotional effects of being in an accident. However, you have options to pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life. Contact Bliven Law Firm, P.C. for a consultation about your case, and let us help you take the first steps toward recovery.

East Helena, MT Personal Injury Lawyer Reviews