Skip to main content

Montana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian in Montana, you may be feeling upset, confused, and stressed out. The Advocates are here for you.

A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating events, often leading to serious injuries or fatalities. Because pedestrians are much smaller than motor vehicles and have far less protection than motorists, they often suffer more severe injuries.

The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates have helped thousands of pedestrian accident victims, and we understand what you’re going through. We are committed to helping you throughout the recovery process to get your life back on track.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident and need an experienced attorney for your personal injury claim, contact The Advocates law firm today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Medical Records

Keep track of any and all treatment you receive during recovery

Finish Treatment

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 
We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Access medical care and other treatment such as physical therapy
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters

You only pay if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Montana Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Pedestrian walks in the road with an emergency gas can

Where are pedestrian accidents most likely to occur?

  • Most pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks or in other urban areas
  • Rural roadways away from intersections see more fatal accidents because vehicles are more likely to travel at high speeds
  • The highest number of accidents each year happen in metro areas (such as Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls), as well as areas with urban cores (such as Helena, Bozeman, and Kalispell)
  • Pedestrians accidents are more likely to happen in dark conditions than during the daytime or at dusk

Montana pedestrian accident statistics

  • 60% of pedestrian accident victims are male
  • More than 30% of pedestrian accident victims in Montana are between the ages of 31-55
  • 1 in 6 pedestrians involved in an accident is impaired
  • Nationwide, a pedestrian is killed in an accident about every 81 minutes
  • According to the NHTSA, the number of pedestrian accidents has increased over the last few years
60% of pedestrian accident victims are male
Distracted woman on her cell phone with driving.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents

  • Speeding: The faster a motorist is traveling, the less reaction time they give themselves when a hazard becomes present. Speeding also increases the risk of serious injuries or death
  • Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol creates a danger to everyone on the road
  • Distracted driving and/or walking: Cell phone use, fiddling with music, and other activities can cause both drivers and pedestrians to become distracted from their surroundings, increasing the risk of an accident
  • Failure to yield right-of-way: It’s important to be familiar with the rules of the road– drivers should yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, while pedestrians should yield when crossing at non-crosswalk locations
  • Poor visibility: When pedestrians walk at night or in areas with low visibility, it increases their chances of being hit by a car. Pedestrians should walk in well-lit areas when possible and wear bright or reflective clothing to keep them safe
  • Pedestrians walking unsafely: Pedestrians should use sidewalks when possible and walk against the flow of traffic. Being as predictable as possible is the best way to keep yourself safe while walking

Common pedestrian accident injuries 

Depending on the severity of the accident, pedestrian injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. It is not uncommon for injured pedestrians to suffer:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Internal organ damage
  • Lacerations and bruising
Common injuries in pedestrian accidents

Montana Pedestrian Laws

Eldery man walks along a city crosswalk

Where can pedestrians cross the street?

State law states that pedestrians may cross the street in the following locations:

  • At a marked crosswalk
  • At an unmarked crosswalk (typically at intersections with a sidewalk on either side)
  • Using a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing

If a pedestrian crosses the street at any point besides a crosswalk, they must yield the right-of-way to motor vehicles.
Pedestrians may not cross the street between two intersections that are controlled by traffic signals. They must cross at a marked crosswalk at one of the intersections.

Where should pedestrians walk when there is no sidewalk?

Pedestrians and those in wheelchairs should always use the sidewalk when possible and practicable. When a sidewalk is not present, pedestrians should:

  • Walk on the shoulder of the road, as far from the roadway as possible
  • Walk against traffic (usually the left side of the road)
  • Strive to remain as visible as possible– wear bright and/or reflective clothing, especially at night
Woman walks on the shoulder of a country road
Happy hipster rides electric scooter on the sidewalk

Who can use the sidewalk besides pedestrians?

Montana law states that bicycles, mopeds, and scooters may only operate on sidewalks when propelled by human power. They also must yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning when passing.
Many municipalities, however, have their own ordinances regarding bicycles, motorized scooters, and mopeds on sidewalks.

What is the statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident?

For any personal injury case, a plaintiff only has a certain amount of time to file their claim. After that time period is up, they lose their right of action. This is referred to as the statute of limitations.
In Montana, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 3 years. However, it is a good idea to file your claim much sooner than that. Personal injury cases can take a long time to settle, so it is a good idea to give yourself as much time as possible before the statute of limitations is up. As soon as you think you may have a case, contact a personal injury lawyer so they may begin working on your claim.

Attorneys and clients talk about accident case

When Should I Hire a Montana Pedestrian Attorney?

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you are likely dealing with pain, emotional trauma, and ever-increasing financial expenses. Navigating the claims process on top of the difficulties you’re already facing can be stressful and detrimental to your recovery.
Additionally, insurance companies will often do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility for your injury. It will likely not be an easy road to obtaining financial compensation for your damages.

The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates have years of experience negotiating with insurance providers and fighting for our clients’ right to fair compensation under the law. Our legal professionals are standing by to take care of the claims process for you, so you can focus on feeling better.
We are here to help every step of the way– our number one priority is your peace of mind. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve a peaceful recovery. You deserve an Advocate.

By clicking the button below, I consent to giving my information to The Advocates Injury Attorneys and agree to all privacy policies that are included on this page. I agree to receive SMS/text messages. Message and data rates may apply. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.