Car Accidents in Frenchtown

With its expansive open land and its location nestled up to I-90, Frenchtown has become a popular destination for Missoula County area golf devotees and nature lovers looking to spend a day at Frenchtown Pond State Park.

These entertainment options bring in far more than just over 1,700 residents who already live in our area, which means that car accidents in Frenchtown occur more often than residents would like.

While many of the auto collisions that occur don’t result in any injuries, others certainly do.

We want to share the wide range of injuries these wrecks can cause and begin to tackle what delineates a minor versus a major car crash, which we’ll do through the lens of what Montana law expects you to do if involved in an accident here.

No matter whether you think you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident or know you have, getting medical treatment should be your priority. If you discover that your injuries are particularly serious or catastrophic, be sure to consult with an attorney to ensure you receive fair compensation for your medical expenses.

What Montana Law Requires You to Do After a Car Wreck

Montana Uniform Accident Reporting Act, and specifically sections 61-7-108, 61-7-109, and 61-7-110 of that state law, specify how motorists must report their collision via the most efficient means possible to either local police (if the crash occurred within city limits) or otherwise the nearest county sheriff or the Montana Highway Patrol in the following instances:

• If it results in property damages of an estimated $1,000 or more
• If it results in anyone suffering injuries or dying
• If they strike a deceased individual

It’s also necessary for Montana drivers to file their own written report with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division within ten days of the wreck’s occurrence if either of the top two conditions listed above apply and no previous investigation or report was prepared by a law enforcement agency.

How Minor and Major Collisions Differ

A common question attorneys handling car accidents in Frenchtown receive has to do with whether prospective clients’ crashes are serious enough to warrant them getting a lawyer involved in helping them file a claim or lawsuit. Since our state requires you to report property damage in excess of $1,000, that should indicate what it considers notable.

So, we’d contend that if your wreck caused both this amount of damage along with any remarkable injuries that may take more than a few days to recover from, this is probably a good indicator to get a lawyer involved to help you navigate filing a claim if someone else’s negligence resulted in the harm you suffered.

Of course, that means that a major accident would consist of one where you suffer life-altering injuries or a loved one perishes. Crashes likely to cause more serious, disabling impairments or fatalities include:

• Rollovers
• Rear-end crashes
• Head-on collisions
• T-bone accidents
• Underrides

Injuries That Result from Car Crashes

With more than 20 years of experience representing car crash victims, we’ve unfortunately seen where, despite surviving their wrecks, the injuries some suffer are particularly catastrophic. Some of the worst we’ve seen include:

• Compression injuries necessitating amputations
• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
• Blunt force trauma injuries resulting in head trauma and residual traumatic brain injuries or internal organ damage

Our experience is that, while some accident victims initially survived crashes in which they suffered the serious injuries above, some succumbed to them in the days, weeks, and months thereafter. Even in cases in which they were lucky enough not to have, the injuries they suffered left a significant mark on their lives that will forever affect their quality of life, including their employment prospects.

Why You Need Help with Serious Injuries or Wrongful Death

Insurance companies are notorious for trying to devalue claims or deny liability altogether so they don’t have to make payouts. They tend to use the tactics most often when dealing with victims who aren’t represented by a lawyer because they think they can get by with it.

Our lawyers won’t tolerate this treatment of those injured in car accidents in Frenchtown. We’ll instead fight for every cent you deserve if you have us represent you.

So, get in touch with our law firm to discuss your crash and your rights. This meeting doesn’t come with any obligation or cost.