Personal Injury Law in Bozeman, MT

An accident in Bozeman can cause many physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Thankfully, the law has many provisions to help you seek justice.

Consider your options and find legal help through our site today!

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law in Bozeman relates to the legal process of getting compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. These cases involve one party, the plaintiff, trying to seek financial compensation for expenses incurred and money lost as a result of the defendant’s reckless behavior. These cases involve both parties’ insurance companies and may even settle before proceeding to litigation.

Examples of Personal Injury Claims in Bozeman, MT

Some personal injury claims are more common than others. However, almost any incident that ends with a physical or mental injury could qualify, depending on the circumstances.

A few of the most common personal injury claims are:

  • Car Accidents
  • Slip and Fall
  • Dog Bites
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Workplace Accidents
  • Burn Injuries

Most Common Injuries in Bozeman 

According to data from the Montana DPHHS, motor vehicle crashes rank among the top causes of injuries. There were 10,340 reported crashes resulting in 1,069 serious injuries and 176 fatalities in 2019 alone. Falls also pose a significant risk, particularly among older adults in Bozeman.

Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Bozeman, MT

Once you determine that you wish to proceed forward with a personal injury action in Montana

A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on the defendant. The complaint alleges your assertion as the plaintiff that the defendant’s negligent behavior resulted in damage to your body or mental state. As the process proceeds forward, you may have to go through depositions, independent medical evaluations and document production. This discovery process is lengthy and ends in either settlement or a court appearance.

Montana’s judicial system often encourages parties to seek a mutual agreement in Bozeman. A settlement can lessen the emotional and financial toll of prolonged litigation. However, when a settlement remains elusive, the case advances to trial.

Montana Personal Injury Settlement

With most personal injury cases, insurance companies and injured parties prefer settlement negotiations rather than going to court for a trial. You may wonder how much you should seek in your settlement and factors that impact the final amount.

If the other party has insurance, the insurance company likely wants to settle out of court to avoid leaving the final settlement decision to a jury. Settlements benefit injured parties as much as they do insurance companies. This is because accepting a settlement means you receive compensation sooner rather than later. Also, by going to court in MT, that means you risk not receiving any compensation at all.

Damage Awards in Montana

If your Montana personal injury lawsuit goes before a judge or jury, your legal team will be ready with a request for damages. In personal injury cases, there are three types of damage awards a court may order the defendant to pay to compensate you for the damage he or she inflicted.

Special compensatory damages reimburse you for things such as lost income, medical bills and insurance deductibles. You submit receipts proving these losses.

General compensatory damages are subjective. If you receive special compensatory damages, you may also collect general damages. If your injury was particularly painful, you might request that the judge order the defendant compensate you for the pain and anguish.

Punitive damages are the most rarely awarded and are up to the court. The judge or jury may determine that the defendant’s negligence was particularly heinous and the resulting injury to you was equally horrific.

Montana’s damage cap keeps non-economic damages such as pain and suffering to $250,000. However, this limit does not apply to economic damages like medical expenses in Bozeman.

Statute of Limitations in Bozeman, MT Personal Injury Law?

The injured party may have a set amount of time to file suit for a personal injury case. State law establishes statutes of limitation. Commonly, the plaintiff’s injury or discovery of the injury begins the statute of limitations. However, the latter factor is trickier, as the plaintiff will have to prove when the injury was first realized.

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Montana is typically three years. Potential claimants must be aware of this timeframe and take prompt action.

We recommend you speak with a personal injury lawyer for this matter. Don’t wait too long and miss out on receiving the compensation you deserve for your injury.

Work With an Experienced Bozeman, MT Lawyer

Pursue a personal injury claim in Bozeman against the responsible person if you are dealing with an injury caused by someone else. One of our experienced lawyers can help you navigate your personal injury claim. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Montana state lines.

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

There are still other areas of Bozeman law that could affect your case. Check out more details on the other articles on our site.

Auto Accident

Bankruptcy

Business Law

Child Birth Injury

Child Custody

Child Support

Consumer Law

Copyright Law

Criminal Defense

Debt Collector Harassment

Divorce Law

DUI Law

Employment Law

Eviction Law

Foreclosure Defense

Identity Theft

Immigration Law

Insurance Claims

Lemon Law

Medical Malpractice

Nursing Home Abuse

Patent Law

Power of Attorney

Probate Law

Property Disputes

Real Estate Law

Social Security Disability

Tax Law

Traffic Law

Vaccination Injury

Workers Compensation

Workplace Discrimination

Wrongful Termination

Wills and Trusts

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