Personal Injury

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Montana? Move to a safe location if possible, but don't leave the scene, and turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and others for injuries but don't move injured people unless there's immediate danger. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured. In Montana, you must report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Call 911 or your local law enforcement. Collect from all drivers involved: (1) name and contact info, (2) driver's license number, (3) license plate number, (4) insurance company and policy number, and (5) vehicle make/models/years. If possible, take photos of all vehicles, damage, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and the overall scene. Note the time, date, and exact location. If there are witnesses that saw the accident, get their names and contact information. Report the accident to your insurer immediately, even if you weren't at fault. Even if you think you are not injured, see a doctor. Some injuries (like whiplash or internal trauma) appear hours or days later. Medical records document your injuries and support your claim for personal injuries. Don't apologize or accept blame at the scene. The at-fault driver is determined by law enforcement’s investigation. Any statements admitting fault can be used against you.

If your physical injuries and/or property damages are significant, consider retaining Karem Law Firm on a contingency fee basis. Our Bozeman attorneys will investigate your case, review your medical records, and consult our medical and accident reconstructionist experts to assess your case, then negotiate the best possible settlement for you. If the at-fault driver’s insurer does not settle your claim for a fair and reasonable amount, we will file a lawsuit and zealously advocate for you. Karem Law Firm accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.

For personal injuries you must file a lawsuit in a Montana district court, typically in the county where the accident occurred, within 3 years of the date of the accident. For property damage, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the accident. Accidents involving a Montana government agency, city, county or state, the limitations period is 2 years and you must serve a formal written demand on the Montana Risk Management and Tort Defense Division within the limitations period before you can file a lawsuit in a Montana district court. You should record the exact date of the accident and calendar the statutes of limitations accordingly. You should contact our Bozeman attorneys for legal representation well before the limitation periods expire because attorneys need time investigate and pursue your claim.

If your physical injuries and/or property damages are significant, consider retaining Karem Law Firm on a contingency fee basis. Our Bozeman attorneys will investigate your case, review your medical records, and consult our medical and accident reconstructionist experts to assess your case, then negotiate the best possible settlement for you. If the at-fault driver’s insurer does not settle your claim for a fair and reasonable amount, we will file a lawsuit and zealously advocate for you. Karem Law Firm accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.

A “contingency fee” means you don’t have to pay hourly attorney fees. Karem Law Firm accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, typically 33% of the settlement or jury verdict, plus costs of litigation such as medical and accident and reconstructionist experts. Karem Law Firm advances payment for the experts and costs of litigation such as court reporter fees, depositions, discovery, filing fees, etc., so you don’t have to worry about not being able to afford to pursue your personal injury claim. Karem Law Firm deducts its contingency fee and costs from your settlement or jury verdict. If there is no settlement or verdict, you pay nothing.

If your physical injuries and/or property damages are significant, consider retaining Karem Law Firm on a contingency fee basis. Our Bozeman attorneys will investigate your case, review your medical records, and consult our medical and accident reconstructionist experts to assess your case, then negotiate the best possible settlement for you. If the at-fault driver’s insurer does not settle your claim for a fair and reasonable amount, we will file a lawsuit and zealously advocate for you.

This is a good question. Montana law only requires drivers carry a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage and $20,000 in property damage coverage. Approximately 14% (1 in 7 drivers) do not have automobile insurance in Montana. The average cost of new vehicles is approaching $50,000. Montana’s liability limits may not cover your property damage and certainly may not cover your personal injury damages combined. We recommend that every driver purchase “uninsured” and “underinsured” motorist coverage of at least $250,000 or more. Uninsured and underinsured coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of medical and liability coverage. It offers you peace of mind and financial security if you are in an accident. Insurers that issue uninsured and underinsured coverage typically have terms where the coverage kicks in only after the at-fault driver’s insurance has been exhausted. You pay your insurer to step into the shoes of the at-fault driver. Making a claim against your insurer does not effect your insurance rates by law. If you do not have uninsured or underinsured coverage presently, you should add this coverage to your policy as soon as you can.

In addition to maximizing your recovery from the at-fault driver’s insurer, our Bozeman attorneys will also pursue your claim against your uninsured/underinsured coverage so that you are made whole. We approach your uninsured/underinsured coverage with the same zealousness as against the at-fault driver’s insurer. If your insurer refuses to settle your claim for a fair and reasonable amount, we will file a lawsuit for breach of insurance contract and Unfair Trade Practices Act (Consumer Protection) claims in Montana district court. Karem Law Firm accepts uninsured/underinsured claims against your insurer on a contingency fee basis.

Coverage depends on who or what caused your injuries. If you are injured on the owner’s property due to a dangerous condition, you are probably covered by the homeowner’s insurance. Some policies include medical payments that cover medical expenses if you are injured on the property, regardless of fault. If you were injured because of an “intentional” act such as being sexually assaulted in an owner’s home, policies typically exclude intentional acts; however, a homeowner, not the perpetrator, may be liable for negligence for failing to provide adequate security or knowingly allowing dangerous conditions to exist, or if a homeowner failed to supervise a minor who committed an assault on the property. Keep in mind that the homeowner’s policy in effect at the time you were injured provides coverage even if the policy is cancelled after your injury.

If your physical and emotional injuries are significant, consider retaining Karem Law Firm on a contingency fee basis. Our Bozeman attorneys will diligently investigate and explore legal avenues to bring you justice against the homeowner’s insurance coverage.