If you or your loved one has been hurt by a negligent truck driver, contact a Montana truck accident lawyer without delay. A lawyer’s knowledge and skill in handling these cases can secure you a more favorable outcome than handling it on your own. These collisions can have profound impacts on your life. Having the nation’s top rated truck accident lawyer will help you get your life back on track.
Munley Law is your biggest supporter in the fight for justice against the truck driver or company that hurt you. Our team has been fighting for clients in truck accidents for more than 65 years, and we bring that experience and high-quality service to your case and every interaction. Call us today to get started.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
How Can Munley Law Help You After a Montana Truck Accident?
Munley Law advocates for clients when they’re injured and facing enormous challenges. We provide unwavering support so you have the means to recover from your losses. Our team understands your fears and concerns in the wake of your accident, and we work hard to answer your questions and reduce your stress.
Sadly, there are plenty of parties who would try to take advantage of you after an accident and keep you from the compensation you are entitled to receive. Munley Law steps in to make sure that you’re not treated unfairly and that your rights are not violated. We fiercely negotiate a settlement or verdict that meets your needs and covers your various expenses.
From our first interaction, we spend time getting to know you and building a relationship of trust and open communication. We prioritize your case and devote our time and resources to investigating and building a strong case that will get maximum results. We know the legal process can be confusing, so we handle the logistics make it simple. You never have to wonder about the status of your case because we keep you updated with every development.
What is Contingency Fee Basis?
Munley Law makes legal services accessible by operating on a contingency fee basis. What this means for you is that you only pay us if we win your case. When we secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf, we deduct our fees from what you have been awarded rather than from you. This structure allows you to hire an attorney when you need one the most. You don’t have to walk this path alone, and securing legal representation can make a big difference.
Client Reviews
| “Professional yet down-to-earth, friendly, polite, respectful, and compassionate. These are the words that come to mind when I think of Munley Law. Someone at Munley Law always had time to take a phone call from me or respond to an email quickly. From the first phone call I made to their office to my first meeting with my attorney, I felt like he understood and he made me feel safe in my choice. Everyone has treated me as if I was their most important client. They also made me feel like part of their family. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs legal representation. They do not charge to talk to you and it may be one of the most important calls you make to set up that appointment.” – Pat T., A Personal Injury Client |
What Types of Trucks Are Commonly Involved in Accidents?
Trucks can come in many different shapes and forms. One thing they have in common, though, is that they are considerably larger and heavier than regular vehicles. This is what makes them dangerous, and even deadly, when a collision occurs. Trucks are grouped and differentiated based on their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This refers to the maximum amount of weight they can carry when fully loaded. There are primarily eight truck classifications, which include:
- Class one (6000 lbs or less): Full-size and mini pickup trucks
- Class two (6,001-10,000 lbs): Crew and full-size pickup trucks, step vans, and minibuses
- Class three (10,001-14,000 lbs): Walk-in trucks, delivery trucks, and minibuses
- Class four (14,001-16,000 lbs): Large walk-in trucks, delivery trucks, conventional vans, and landscape trucks
- Class five (16,001-19,500 lbs): Bucket trucks, delivery trucks, and large walk-in trucks
- Class six (19,501-26,000 lbs): Beverage trucks, rack trucks, stake body trucks, and single axle vans
- Class 7 (26,001-33,000 lbs): Tow trucks, garbage trucks, furniture trucks, home fuel trucks, and medium and high profile semi trucks
- Class 8 (33,001 lbs and above): Dump trucks, fire trucks, fuel trucks, cement trucks, refrigerated vans, tour buses, semi-sleepers, and heavy semi tractor-trailers
The heavier the truck, the more damage it can cause. Trucks also present unique challenges out on the road. They have higher centers of gravity, making it easier for them to tip over. Because of their weight, they require more time and distance to come to a complete stop. They are also unable to quickly move out of the way to avoid potential hazards. As such, truck drivers should have the necessary skill to safely operate these vehicles, and motorists should exercise caution when driving in their vicinity.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Montana?
Truck accidents can be caused by various factors—most often, negligence on the part of drivers or other parties. The cause of a truck accident can have a significant impact on the direction of the accident, how a crash unfolds, how severe it is, and what types of injuries it may cause. Some of the common causes of collisions between trucks and vehicles in Montana include:
- Distractions due to cell phone use, multitasking, and external stimuli
- Aggressive and/or reckless driving
- Exhaustion
- Impaired driving
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions, infrastructure, and signage
- Decreased road visibility
- Taking curves too fast, especially on mountain roads
- Traffic congestion and volume
- Defective trucks or parts
- Poor maintenance
- Cargo overload
- Inexperience and poor training
To identify what caused the accident you were involved in, consulting with Montana truck accident lawyers is essential. They will assess your accident from all angles and talk with the appropriate parties to determine what factors were at play at the time of the collision. Determining what caused the accident can also point toward who was at fault for the crash. Your lawyer will seek to gain a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances so they can effectively fight for you.
What Injuries Can be Caused by a Truck Accident?
Severe truck accident injuries or fatalities are not uncommon in truck accidents. Collisions with big rigs and other large trucks have the potential to cause life-altering harm and may require long-term care or accommodations. Smaller vehicles are affected to a greater degree because they absorb more of the impact than a truck does. Individuals may sustain some of the following types of injuries in a crash:
- Whiplash
- Lacerations and contusions
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Bone fractures
- Head and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck injuries
- Chest injuries
- Spine and back injuries
- Chronic pain
- Neurological damage
- Internal injuries
- Paralysis and disability
- Loss of limb or amputation
- Burn injuries
After a truck accident, post-crash care is essential to surviving your injuries and improving your prognosis and future well-being. According to the data presented by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 40% of individuals were alive when emergency personnel arrived on the scene after an accident, but later died from their injuries. This highlights the seriousness of accident injuries, the importance of medical care, and the impact of swift action.
What Are Your Rights as a Truck Accident Victim?
When you’ve been wrongly injured due to a truck driver, truck company, or third party’s negligence, you have the right to hold them responsible for the harm they caused you. To successfully accomplish this, you will need to demonstrate negligence step by step. This process is the focal point in your truck accident case, and should be handled by an experienced Montana truck accident attorney who understands the intricacies of these cases. During your case, they will show the following elements:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party was compelled to use caution and prevent harm from coming to you on the road.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party did not act with sufficient caution because they were careless or intentionally disregarded their obligations.
- Causation: The at-fault party’s actions were the source of the accident and resulting injuries.
- Damages: The at-fault party is responsible for providing compensation to make up for their negligence.
In order to thoroughly demonstrate these four parts, you need sufficient evidence. To preserve evidence after an accident, it is important to file a police report, keep documents and medical records, take photos and videos, and request witness statements. Your lawyer can also help you gather other forms of evidence that you may not have access to on your own. Provide your lawyer with everything you have at the beginning of the case, and work closely with them as you move forward so you have a strong claim.
What Are Your Options in a Shared Fault Case?
When truck accidents occur, the details of the event and who was involved will be closely evaluated during the resulting investigation. There are times when some collisions are not solely caused by a truck driver or industry personnel. Fault could be shared between you and the trucking personnel. When faced with this situation, you should consult with your lawyer right away because you may still have options for recovering your losses.
Montana uses modified comparative negligence to resolve situations like this. If you are partially at fault, then you may be able to recover compensation reduced in proportion to your level of fault. As long as you are less than 51% at fault, you can receive damages, but any contributions over this threshold are denied compensation. Your lawyer can optimize your case to reduce liability and make sure you do not absorb fault that is not yours.
How Can Compensation Help You Recover After a Montana Truck Accident?
Truck accidents can disrupt your life and decimate your financial stability. Mounting expenses can hinder your ability to get necessary care after an accident, and the trauma you experienced can steal your quality of life. An experienced lawyer can help you secure compensation to offset the losses you’ve suffered. Recoverable damages in these types of cases may include:
- Medical expenses, equipment, and accommodations
- Ongoing therapy and treatment
- Lost income or earning capacity
- Property damage expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and PTSD
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment in activities and interests
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Reduction in quality of life
Talk with your lawyer about the specific damages you may be able to recover and how much your case may be worth. They will help make sure that you’re not overlooking any expenses or losses when determining the value of your case.
Good lawyers are skilled negotiators who know how to communicate with opposing parties to secure the maximum amount available in your case. They will generally fight to settle your case out of court because it is less expensive and time-consuming. At Munley Law we are always prepared to go to court after a truck accident if negotiations are unsuccessful.
What is the Timeline for Truck Accident Damages in Montana?
Your ability to recover compensation after an accident is not open-ended. Montana enforces a statute of limitations of 3 years. After this time expires, you may no longer be allowed to take legal action against the party who hurt you. As such, you should promptly seek legal representation and file your claim so there is enough time to build and resolve your case.
Consult the Team at Munley Law Today
Munley Law is a loyal advocate when you’ve been injured in a truck accident. We know how much these situations can disrupt your life, and we don’t stop fighting until we secure a settlement you’re satisfied with. Our skilled lawyers help you and your family navigate the legal process and provide exceptional service. Reach out to our firm and schedule a free consultation today.
