Great Falls Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Expert Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Great Falls, MT

Pedestrians in Great Falls often travel on sidewalks through busy intersections and roadways filled with passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, buses, motorcycles, and other vehicles. When negligent drivers fail to yield, speed through an intersection, or don’t see someone crossing the street, it can lead to a pedestrian being injured. A Great Falls pedestrian accident lawyer can help investigate the circumstances of the crash and pursue compensation for related losses.

Connect With a Local Law Firm With Experience Representing Injured Montanans

Bliven Law Firm, P.C., has served Montana and Oregon clients for over three decades. Personal injury attorneys at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., work on cases involving pedestrian accidents, motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death claims. We strive to obtain negotiated settlements when they provide fair compensation, while also protecting our clients’ rights by filing a pedestrian accident claim when necessary.

Drivers Yielding to Montana Crosswalks

Pedestrian safety is a concern nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,080 pedestrians were killed, and more than 71,000 pedestrians were injured, in traffic crashes throughout the United States in 2024.

Drivers do have to yield to pedestrians crossing the street at certain times. Montana’s pedestrian accident laws establish when vehicles need to yield to pedestrians. Montana Code Annotated § 61-8-502 indicates that when traffic-control signals are not flashing, drivers have to yield to pedestrians within a crosswalk.

If someone is crossing within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, drivers should slow down or stop when necessary to allow the person to cross safely. The statute also points out that pedestrians should not suddenly leave the curb or other starting point and dart into the path of a vehicle. If a car is so close that the driver is unable to yield, then the pedestrian should wait until it safely passes before beginning to cross the street.

Pedestrians Crossing the Crosswalk

Montana’s traffic laws also assign responsibilities to pedestrians. Montana Code Annotated § 61-8-503 states that pedestrians crossing anywhere except within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection should yield the right-of-way to vehicles. When walking between adjacent intersections that do have operating traffic control signals, pedestrians should use a marked crosswalk if one is available.

Just because a pedestrian crosses the street outside of a crosswalk does not mean they may always be found partially or completely responsible for a crash. The driver may have been speeding, driving distracted, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or failed to see the pedestrian for another reason. Every crash needs to be investigated to determine how it happened.

The Severity of Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrians lack the protection of a vehicle’s structure, seat belt, and airbags. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the impact may be severe enough to cause injury right away. However, many times the initial crash leads to the pedestrian being thrown into the pavement or another object.

Common injuries from pedestrian accidents include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, damage to internal organs, facial injuries, severe lacerations, and other types of trauma. Children and older adults are particularly vulnerable to serious injury or death in pedestrian crashes.

Pedestrians severely injured in a crash require extensive and ongoing medical care. Initial treatment for catastrophic injuries may involve emergency assistance, hospitalization, surgery, and medications.

Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident

Negligent drivers should be held accountable for injuries they cause to pedestrians. A person injured while walking may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Future medical expenses and ongoing care may need to be considered if the injury is severe enough.

Family members who have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Montana’s wrongful death and survival act allows certain parties to pursue damages when a death occurs because of another person’s negligence or intentional actions.

If jurisdictional requirements are satisfied, pedestrian accidents in Great Falls can be litigated in Cascade County’s civil courts. Claims can be filed at the Cascade County District Court located at 415 2nd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401.

FAQs

What Should I Do After Getting Hit by a Car As a Pedestrian?

After getting hit by a car as a pedestrian, call 911 and get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you think you are fine. Try to get the driver’s contact information and auto insurance policy number. Take pictures of the vehicle, the road, and the scene of the crash if you can. Get contact information from witnesses, but do not discuss who you think was at fault. Save documentation related to the crash and your injuries.

What if the Driver Who Hits Me Leaves the Scene?

If the driver who hits you leaves the scene, you may still be able to pursue a claim. In some cases, police may investigate hit-and-runs. The driver may be identified through witnesses, video cameras, vehicle descriptions, or other evidence. A driver who cannot be found or does not have insurance may still leave open uninsured motorist coverage as a possible source of compensation depending on the language in the policy.

Can I Make a Claim if I Was Struck in a Parking Lot?

Yes, you can make a claim if you were struck in a parking lot. Most states allow pedestrian accident claims to be filed for crashes that occur in parking lots. Drivers should still use reasonable care when traveling past pedestrians walking between vehicles, entering stores, or crossing parking lot travel lanes. Fault depends on the facts of the case.

Can I File a Claim if I Was Hit While Working?

You may be able to file a claim if you were hit while working. Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles while on the job may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. When someone other than the employer or coworker causes a crash, a separate personal injury claim may also exist.

Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer With Experience in Great Falls

If you were injured while walking, hire a pedestrian accident lawyer today. A Great Falls pedestrian accident attorney at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can advocate for you for compensation. Contact us for more information.

Great Falls Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Reviews