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Billings Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash in Billings, MT, an Advocate can help you recover.

Attorney and client discuss a case in a well-lit meeting space

A Billings Car Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Car crashes are often life-altering events, leaving their victims with injuries, property damage, and the inability to work. Ever-mounting medical bills may make it feel like things will never return to normal.

The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates have been representing car accident victims for decades, and we are ready to help you too. We are committed to assisting you in your physical, emotional, and financial recovery.

If you need a competent, caring attorney for your personal injury claim, contact The Montana Advocates law firm today for a free consultation. Our team is standing by, ready to walk you through the legal process and help get your life back on track.

The Next Steps In Your Montana Car Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Get the damage on your car assessed and fixed

Property Damage

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Treatment Completed

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Not every accident requires an lawyer. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. 

Your lawyer will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an lawyer. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your lawyer will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Car Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 
We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters

We only get paid if we win your case!

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Talk to a professional

Montana Car Accident Statistics

Rainbow over an open road in Montana

Where are car accidents most likely to occur?

  • The counties with the highest number of car accident fatalities are Missoula, Yellowstone, and Flathead counties.
  • I-90 through Missoula and the junction of I-90 and I-94 in Billings have high numbers of car accidents each year.
  • More than 90% of fatal crashes happen on rural roads.
  • Fatal crashes are evenly split between daylight and night hours.

Montana state car accident statistics  

  • From 2017-2021, an average of 220 people died on Montana roads each year.
  • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 63% of traffic fatalities in Montana are attributed to males.
  • Alcohol was a factor in 35% of fatal passenger vehicle crashes in Montana in 2021.
  • There were 86 speeding-related fatalities in Montana in 2021.
  • Distracted driving contributes to more than 30% of all Montana car accidents annually.
  • Unrestrained drivers make up only 5-7% of car accidents each year, however, they account for more than 50% of car accident fatalities.
Woman texting and driving

Common causes of car accidents

  • Impaired driving: Montana is one of the worst states in the nation for drunk driving accidents.
  • Distracted driving: Montana is the only state in the country with no texting and driving ban.
  • Adverse weather conditions: Montana is prone to snowy and icy conditions that can lead to accidents.
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way: If motorists are unfamiliar with the traffic laws in the area, they may enter intersections when it is not safe to do so, endangering those around them.
  • Improper passing: Illegal passing on two-lane highways can lead to head-on collisions, which often cause devastating injuries.

Common car accident injuries 

Depending on the nature of your accident, car accident injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. Some common vehicle collision injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Broken bones and teeth
  • Whiplash
  • Lacerations and bruising

Montana Traffic Laws

Close- up of car spedometer

What is the maximum speed limit in Montana?

In most cases, the speed limit on the interstate in Montana is 80 miles per hour. Heavy trucks have a maximum speed limit of 70 miles per hour. On two-lane highways, passenger vehicles have a maximum speed of 70 miles per hour during the day and 65 miles per hour at night.

What is considered “distracted driving” under Montana law?

According to the Montana Department of Transportation, distracted driving is classified as any non-driving activity that has the potential to distract a driver from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. This includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Cell phone use 
  • Eating 
  • Smoking
  • Adjusting the music
  • Looking at maps

The state of Montana is currently the only state in the country that does not have statewide distracted driving laws of some kind. However, many cities have enacted their own laws regarding cell phone use while driving, including Billings.

Man eating a hamburger while driving
Man and woman arguing, standing together on the road with their cars on the background after the car accident

What responsibilities do drivers have after an accident in Billings?

Montana law states that any person who knows or should have reasonably known that they have been involved in an accident resulting in property damage, injury, or death, must stop their vehicle and remain at the scene of the accident.

If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, be sure to do the following:

  • Move your car out of traffic (if possible).
  • Check for injuries.
  • If anyone has serious injuries, call 911.
  • File a police report.
  • Exchange contact information and insurance information with the other party.
  • Take photos and videos of the accident scene.
  • Seek medical attention, even if you do not believe you are injured.
  • File a car accident claim with your own car insurance provider.
  • Consider contacting an auto accident attorney.

What damages can I seek in a Billings car accident case?

Every personal injury case is different—there is no way to accurately gauge how much a case is worth without knowing the factual details and circumstances of the accident.

As a general guideline, some commonly sought personal injury damages are listed below:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages and loss of future earnings
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Funeral and burial expenses in the case of wrongful death

The best way to know how much your case is worth is to speak with a personal injury attorney. The Billings Advocates offer free consultations to help you determine whether you have a valid case.

health insurance form, paperwork and questionnaire for insurance concepts
Attorney reviews case with client

What is the statute of limitations for car accidents in Billings?

For any personal injury case, a plaintiff only has a certain amount of time to file their claim. After that time period is up, they lose their right of action. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.

In Montana, the statute of limitations for car accident cases is generally 3 years. This may seem like a long time. However, the legal process can move very slowly—you may not have as much time as you think. 

As soon as you think you may have a case, contact a personal injury lawyer so they may begin working on your claim.

When Should I Hire a Billings Personal Injury Attorney?

Whether you’ve been injured by a drunk driver or rear-ended by someone following too closely, a personal injury attorney may be able to help. If you suffered serious injuries and are facing medical bills, it’s a good idea to reach out to a lawyer.

The at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely try to avoid offering you fair compensation for your damages. An experienced auto accident lawyer with The Advocates can negotiate with providers to get you the settlement you deserve.

In addition to fierce legal representation, The Advocates offer support in finding the local resources you need. We can help you access medical care or find excellent auto repair shops in the Billings area.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation. You deserve an attorney who will fight to get you fair compensation for your injuries. You deserve an Advocate.

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