Bozeman Car Accident Attorney
You never leave the house assuming you will be in a car accident. However, the reality is that car accidents occur every day and are the most common type of personal injury claim. Most claims are due to the negligence or carelessness of another driver. Proving negligence can be difficult, which is why it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately after a car accident.
The Bozeman car accident attorneys at Heenan and Cook Injury Accident Lawyers are experienced and well-versed in the laws surrounding a personal injury claim. We are here to help guide you through the claims process and we will fight to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact our law firm for a free consultation to see how our attorneys can help with your case.
Bozeman Car Accident Legal Resources:
- Why Choose Us?
- How Can a Bozeman Car Accident Lawyer Help?
- What Injuries Commonly Occur in a Car Accident?
- What Compensation is Available After a Car Accident in Bozeman, MT?
- What is the Statute of Limitations to File a Car Accident Claim in Montana?
- What Can I Do If I’ve Been Hit by an Underinsured Driver in Bozeman, MT?
- Car Accident Claims in Montana
- Contact Us
Why Choose Us?
The attorneys at Heenan & Cook are a group of experienced and dedicated accident and injury lawyers who provide reliable representation to every client. We have had decades of success in car accident and personal injury matters, which has earned the achievements of Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.
We offer representation through trial and settlement negotiations—we will always do what is best for the client and what our client wants. We do everything necessary to ensure our clients receive the assistance and compensation they deserve.
Not only do we care about our clients, but we care about our community and are always committed to giving back.
How Can a Bozeman Car Accident Lawyer Help?
When involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The first step in receiving compensation is proving fault. Establishing fault after a car accident is not always easy and can be more complicated in some cases.
If you are involved in a car accident, it is imperative that you contact an experienced Bozeman car accident attorney as soon as possible. A car accident attorney can help determine who was at fault and seek damages from the appropriate party and ensure the wrongdoer is held liable for their misconduct.
An experienced attorney deals with these issues on a daily basis and will know how to get you the compensation you are owed.
What Injuries Commonly Occur in a Car Accident?
Individuals in Bozeman, Montana, can sustain a range of injuries as a result of a vehicle accident. In some cases, these individuals sustain relatively minor injuries and make a full recovery. However, it is not uncommon for an individual to sustain severe injuries as a result of the actions of other drivers. Some of the most common injuries that we help clients with at Heenan & Cook include the following:
- Whiplash or other types of soft tissue damage
- Significant bruising
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Open head wounds
- Spinal cord trauma
- Other severe neck or back injury
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lacerations or puncture wounds
This is certainly not a complete list of the types of injuries that we help clients with, and this only shows one side of personal injury claims. When examining the totality of a claim, we also have to look at the physical and emotional pain and suffering individuals endure as a result of the accident. These types of losses, though not as visible, are just as real. Individuals can suffer from stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, and fear, and it is not uncommon for crash victims to sustain post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our team keeps this in mind when working to recover complete compensation on behalf of our clients.
What Compensation Is Available After a Car Accident in Bozeman, Montana?
There are various types of compensation available to crash victims if their incident was caused by the actions of another driver. Our attorneys strive to recover both special and general damages on behalf of every client that we help. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Coverage of all emergency medical bills
- Payment for follow-up hospital or doctor visits
- Surgical expenses
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices
- Various out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages if a person cannot work
- Property damage expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
The total amount of compensation paid to Bozeman, Montana, car accident victims will vary depending on several factors. This includes the severity of the crash injuries, the length of the recovery time, property damage expenses, how much pain and suffering a person endures, and whether or not there was any shared fault for the crash.
What is the Statute of Limitations to File a Car Accident Claim in Montana?
Individuals injured in a car accident need to be aware that they have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit in Montana. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in this state is three years from the date an injury occurs. Even though this may seem like a long amount of time, the reality is that these claims need to be filed as soon as possible. There is a significant amount of investigation that goes into these claims, and the longer you wait, the more the evidence begins to disappear, and memories fade.
Additionally, every insurance carrier in Montana requires that claims be reported within a day or two after they occur. Failing to promptly report a car accident to the insurance carrier within their deadline could result in a claim being delayed or denied altogether.
What Can I Do If I’ve Been Hit by an Underinsured Driver in Bozeman, MT?
Every driver in Montana is required to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage. When the Montana legislature adopted this limit in 1975, $25,000 was worth the equivalent of over $130,000 in today’s dollars. With ever-rising healthcare costs, in a serious injury case, $25,000 can be used up almost immediately, leaving little to nothing for the injury victim.
We’ve had numerous instances where a potential client comes to us after already having been told by an insurance company or attorney that there was no other insurance available, only for us to find hundreds of thousands, or even millions, in additional insurance coverage.
In a serious injury claim, one of the first things the Bozeman personal injury attorneys at Heenan & Cook do is look for all available insurance policies, including additional insurance the negligent driver may have had, as well as the client’s own underinsured motorist insurance.
Car Accident Claims in Montana
The Montana Department of Transportation keeps statistics of all crash data in Montana, including injuries, fatalities, and non-injury accidents. In the latest reporting year, they reported a total of 40,134 accidents, and of those, roughly 6,500 resulted in injury and there were over 200 fatalities.
Car accidents are often caused through the negligent driving of another vehicle operator. In Montana, the top three cause for car accident injuries are:
- Distracted driving
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Impaired driving
Even though Montana has a lower population than most states, the Big Sky State is considered one of the most dangerous places to drive due to various road conditions and weather.
It is important to always be alert and reactive while driving. Accidents are not always avoidable and when you are involved in an accident, it is important to take care of yourself by seeking proper medical attention and contacting an attorney when necessary.
Contact Us
The Bozeman car accident lawyers at Heenan & Cook Injury Accident Lawyers work with our clients on a personal level to provide a deeper understanding of the legal challenges we may face. We will always address these challenges in the most favorably and cost-effective manner.
If you or your loved one has been involved in a car accident, contact us today to help you file your injury claim.
Arrange a free consultation with our team by completing our online contact form or calling us at (406) 898-4WIN.