Missoula Car Accident Lawyer

When you are involved in a car accident, there are so many issues to deal with that everything can seem overwhelming. In addition to tending to your injuries, finding a rental car, and making arrangements for work and kids if you have to be hospitalized, you are probably flooded with questions about things like liability, which insurance company to file a claim with, and how to get full compensation for your losses.

It is a good idea to run your case by a Missoula car accident attorney at Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, P.C. before filing or finalizing a claim to address your questions and ensure you take the right steps to maximize your claim.

Who is liable for my car accident?

Montana is a state of fault for car accidents, which means that the party that primarily causes or contributes to an accident is the one that is legally liable for paying victims’ damages. For example, if someone was texting while driving (considered a form of negligence) and caused a crash, the victims could seek damages from the negligent driver.

In most cases, it is another driver that will be liable for car accident damages. However, other parties may be liable, as well, such as a motorcyclist, car part manufacturer, or even the agency in charge of road maintenance.

Because liability is the crux of a car accident claim, it is often disputed. The other party’s insurer might try to pin blame on you or refute the severity of your injuries to reduce its liability. This means you will likely need to gather evidence to prove the other party’s liability and defend your claim. Your lawyer can advise and assist you with those tasks.

Experienced Missoula Car Accident Attorney

How does the car accident claim process work in Montana?

The car accident claims process includes several steps:

• Reporting the accident to the authorities and tending to your medical needs.
• Speaking to an attorney about how to best proceed with your claim.
• Collecting evidence and determining liability.
• Filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer.
• Calculating the value of current and future damages. You can recover losses and expenses such as medical bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. You and your attorney might want to have a financial expert calculate your future financial needs to ensure you receive proper compensation.
• Evaluating any settlement offers from the insurer and negotiating for a larger sum if needed.
• Accepting the offer if satisfied, or taking the case to court if we cannot reach a fair agreement.

Car accident claims can be quite complex and, to be successful, require familiarity of the claims process, knowledge of Montana injury laws, and good negotiation skills. Failure to follow certain steps or ignorance of your rights could cause you to lose out on funds you are entitled to. Consider working with a Missoula car accident attorney at Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, P.C. to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.