Billings Car Accident Attorneys

Common Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen in various ways, depending on the circumstances and the vehicles involved. Here are some of the most common types:

• Rear-End Collisions: A rear-end collision happens when one vehicle crashes into the back of another, often due to sudden braking or tailgating. It is commonly caused by distracted driving, speeding, or not maintaining a safe following distance.
• T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions: A T-bone collision occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a "T" shape. These accidents often happen at intersections due to running red lights, failing to yield, or misjudging another driver’s speed.
• Head-On Collisions: A head-on collision happens when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash front-first into each other. These crashes are often severe and result from driver fatigue, distraction, or traveling on the wrong side of the road.
• Sideswipe Accidents: A sideswipe accident occurs when two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite direction make contact along their sides. It is often caused by improper lane changes, failure to check blind spots, or drifting out of a lane.
• Single-Vehicle Accidents: A single-vehicle accident involves only one vehicle crashing into an object like a tree, guardrail, or pole. These accidents can happen due to speeding, poor road conditions, driver error, or adverse weather.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileups: A multi-vehicle pileup involves several vehicles crashing in a chain reaction, often on highways or in bad weather. These accidents are especially dangerous due to reduced visibility, high speeds, and limited escape routes.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents: A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes a crash and leaves the scene without providing information or offering help. This is illegal in most places and can result in severe penalties, especially if injuries are involved.
• Parking Lot Accidents: A parking lot accident usually happens at low speeds when vehicles back up or maneuver in tight spaces. These accidents can also involve pedestrians or parked cars due to limited visibility and driver inattention.
• Rollover Accidents: A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof, often involving SUVs or trucks with higher centers of gravity. These crashes can result from sharp turns at high speeds, collisions, or uneven road conditions.

Common Causes of Car Crashes

Car accidents can be caused by various factors, often due to driver error, environmental conditions, or mechanical failures. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving happens when a driver’s attention is taken away by activities like texting, eating, or adjusting the radio. This reduces reaction time and increases the risk of accidents, making it one of the leading causes of crashes.
• Speeding: Driving above the speed limit or too fast for road conditions makes it harder to stop or react to sudden hazards. Higher speeds also increase the force of impact, leading to more severe accidents and injuries.
• Drunk or Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making it harder to control the vehicle. Drunk driving is a major cause of fatal accidents and is illegal in most places.
• Reckless or Aggressive Driving: Reckless driving includes tailgating, weaving through traffic, and ignoring traffic signals, which create unpredictable dangers. These aggressive behaviors increase the risk of losing control and causing a crash.
• Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Failing to stop at red lights or stop signs can lead to dangerous collisions, especially at intersections. These accidents often happen when drivers are impatient, distracted, or misjudge their timing.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, and fog reduce visibility and make roads slippery, increasing the risk of skidding or hydroplaning. Drivers who don’t adjust their speed and braking distance in bad weather are more likely to lose control.
• Drowsy Driving: Driving while tired slows reaction time, impairs decision-making, and can cause a driver to fall asleep at the wheel. Fatigue-related accidents are common among truck drivers, shift workers, and those with sleep disorders.
• Failure to Yield Right of Way: Many accidents happen when drivers don’t yield at intersections, crosswalks, or while merging onto highways. This can lead to serious side-impact crashes or pedestrian injuries.
• Defective or Poorly Maintained Vehicles: Worn-out brakes, tire blowouts, and malfunctioning headlights can make a vehicle unsafe to drive. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs help prevent accidents caused by mechanical failures.
• Road Hazards and Poor Infrastructure: Potholes, debris, missing road signs, and poorly marked lanes can cause drivers to swerve or lose control. Construction zones and uneven surfaces also increase the chances of crashes, especially at high speeds.

Is Montana a No-Fault State?

Montana is not a no-fault state, it is instead an at-fault state. So, when an accident is caused by another driver's negligence, that driver is liable for the injured party's damages. This includes any pain and suffering, lost wages or other economic losses resulting from the crash.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Montana traffic accidents are sometimes violent incidents that can inflict significant pain and suffering on Montana residents. Although some car accidents only result in minor damage to individuals' vehicles, others are so severe that they claim drivers and passengers' lives. There are more than a few ways that individuals may suffer harm during car accidents. The compensation that can be sought through personal injury litigation may differ as well.

Head, Back, & Neck Injuries

Head, back and neck injuries are some of the most common physical harms that individuals can suffer when they are involved in car accidents. Whiplash, or the jerking of the spine in opposite directions, can cause individuals to endure pain in minor cases and paralysis in major cases. Individuals whose heads hit their vehicles' dashboards, windows or other hard surfaces can suffer concussions and traumatic brain injuries from their involvement in vehicle collisions.

Chest & Torso Injuries

Chest and torso injuries are also common during automobile crashes. Although seatbelts are designed to hold people in their seats when their cars in are accidents those belts can crush individuals' bodies as they restrain the riders' movements. Bruising, broken bones and even cardiac arrest can result when a victim's torso is hurt in a vehicle crash.

Emotional Trauma

While victims may also suffer serious injuries to limbs, organs, skin and other body parts during a vehicle collision, another major factor is the emotional trauma that can take place after an accident. This emotional harm may be debilitating for the victim or prevent the victim from leading life as it was before the accident.

Many car accident victims seek compensation for their losses through the pursuit of civil damages. Once they have identified the parties responsible for their injuries they may be able to sue them to impose liability. Getting more information about options after car accidents can be useful.

Importance of a Comprehensive Investigation

In any injury case, a timely investigation into the causes of the accident is key. If you wait too long, witness memories can fade and crucial evidence may be lost. When you hire our firm, our Billings auto accident attorneys will immediately get to work investigating the cause of your accident. We often work with accident reconstruction experts to develop our clients' cases for negotiations and trial. This reflects our commitment to getting the most out of our clients' claims as well as our attorneys' skill with the presentation of evidence on disputed issues of fact.

When Should You Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?

As a general guideline, it’s best to contact a lawyer after a car accident as soon as possible to obtain the best outcome for your case. There are a couple reasons for this, the first being the statute of limitations. This law is familiar to many which limits how long injury victims have to file a claim. According to Part 27-2-204 of the Montana Code Annotated the state of Montana has a three-year timeline.

This means you have three years from the date your accident occurred to file your claim or you will most likely be unable to do so. There are some exceptions that can extend or shorten the time you have to file so it’s crucial that you speak to an attorney about the specifics of your case.

In addition, car accident injuries in particular pose a specific difficulty than other injuries covered by personal injury law in that very often they are soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries are injuries that affect the tendons, ligaments and muscles in the body are are known for slowly developing over a period time after they initially occur.

Because of this delayed reveal, many car accident victims sign a compensation agreement with an insurance company before talking to a lawyer only to discover that their injuries are worse than they initially believed but are not able to recover any additional. If you have suffered injuries at the hands of a negligent driver, talk to our Billings car accident attorney for help today!

What Does a Montana Car Accident Lawyer Do?

A Montana car accident lawyer serves as a crucial ally for victims of car accidents in Billings, MT. They utilize their extensive knowledge of the law, negotiation skills, and experience to help accident victims navigate the complex legal process. With their help, those injured in a car crash can seek adequate compensation for medical bills, loss of income, and other consequential damages.

Services provided by our firm include:

• Assessment of the Case: Billings accident lawyers carry out a thorough evaluation of your case to determine its viability and the compensation amount you're entitled to.
• Collection of Evidence: They gather crucial evidence from the accident scene including police reports, surveillance footage, and witness testimonies to prove the other party's negligence.
• Negotiation With Insurance Companies: They handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company, ensuring you receive the best possible settlement.
• Filing a Lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, they will file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
• Legal Guidance: They provide constant legal advice throughout the process, ensuring you make informed decisions about your case.
• Medical Record Review: They review medical records and work with medical experts to establish the extent of your injuries.
• Future Expense Calculation: They calculate future expenses that may arise from your injuries, such as ongoing medical treatment and loss of future income, to ensure these are included in your compensation claim.

Call (406) 215-4735 for Advice About Car Accident Claims

Contact our car accident lawyers in Billings if you need advice about your right to full compensation for auto accident injuries anywhere in the state of Montana. We offer free consultations, and we only collect an attorney's fee if we recover damages for you through settlement or at trial. Especially in cases resulting in permanent, disabling, or fatal injuries, our firm's car accident clients benefit from our ability to advance the expenses involved in proving your claims through experts. In any case involving automotive product defects, disputed injuries, or negligent highway design or maintenance, much of your case will need the support of forensic experts.