Auto Accident Injury in Billings, MT

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Billings? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Billings, MT that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Billings, Montana

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents, and an estimated 38,000 were killed. Most of the injury-sustaining accidents occur from rollovers, which are partially a result of open roads and driver distraction. Billings police officers comprising the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program makeup accounted for 40% of all warnings and citations in 2019 as a result of their focus in high-risk areas, such as school zones and neighborhoods. Montana Highway Patrol reported 166 crashes and 184 fatalities in 2019.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

If you are involved in a traffic accident in Billings, MT, on a highway, you will call the Montana Highway Patrol at 855-647-3777. If your accident occurred on another road and is not an emergency, you can file an online report. Once filed, you receive a tracking number.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Motor vehicle crashes cost $262 million in 2018 when factoring in the combined cost of medical care and loss of work, placing Montana fourth out of six surrounding states.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Montana

Liability Laws for Billings

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Montana law requires auto liability insurance, as well as minimum coverage amounts. Insurance policies must cover auto accidents at a minimum of:

• $25,000 bodily injury or death of one person
• $50,000 bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one accident
• $20,000 injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident

Statute of Limitations in Billings

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In Montana, an individual has three years from the date of an accident to file a claim in most auto accident cases. Homicide has a longer statute of limitations. Investigations and negotiations can take time.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Billings, MT

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Montana!