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Missoula Truck Accident Lawyers

The Advocates are experienced truck accident attorneys who provide legal advice for accident victims after a truck crash.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Assist You with Your Case 

Commercial trucks of every kind pass through Missoula. There are long-haul semi-trucks, farmers pulling tractor-trailers, and various trucking companies performing essential services for our country. Occasionally, truck accidents occur due to poor truck maintenance, driver fatigue, awful road conditions, or blowouts. 

If a car collides with a truck, the results are often much worse than if it had been with another passenger vehicle. If you survive, the medical bills will be higher, and the insurance companies will do what they can to give you as small a settlement as possible.  

It is a grim picture, but it is the truth. Our Missoula truck accident lawyers have seen such realities unfold for many people, which is why we are a law firm that prioritizes the attorney-client relationship before anything else. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps in Your Montana Truck Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

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

Property Damage

Get the damage on your vehicle assessed and fixed

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.  

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.  

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.  

For more information on how settlements and payments work, please see our contingency fee information page.  

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 gather evidence, monitor your medical treatment progress, keep an accurate record of all relevant documents and facts to support your claim, negotiate and correspond with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary.

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 zealously pursue your claim through resolution.   

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process depends on many factors, including but not limited to the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and much more.  

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several 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, if you do not resolve or file a lawsuit within the prescribed time, you will lose your right of action.  

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you focus on healing. Generally, once all evidence has been gathered and your medical treatment has been completed or you are back to feeling yourself again, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to secure a settlement on your behalf.  

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 lawsuit in the litigation phase. Your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator. 

A Team of Truck Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case  

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair 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 
  • Investigate your accident 
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party 

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

A Deep Dive on Truck Accidents in Missoula, MT

Snowy road in the Montana Rockies

Interstate 90: A danger to all drivers  

Missoula is built along Interstate 90 — one of the busiest highways in the country. Data from the Montana Department of Transportation shows how many truck accidents occur on this stretch of road.  

Here are why large commercial vehicle crashes are common on I-90:  

  • Weather conditions: Montanans know that the weather in this state can go from sunshine to a whiteout blizzard in a day. Sometimes, the fire season is so bad that it is hard to see more than five feet in front of your vehicle.  
  • Heavy freight traffic: Hundreds of commercial vehicles use I-90 on any given day. More trucks on the road means a higher chance of truck accidents.  
  • Challenging intersections: The main exits off I-90 into Missoula are Reserve Street, Orange Street, and Van Buren Street. Many passenger vehicles enter the interstate from these exits, creating difficult merging situations. 

The most common causes of truck accidents   

  • Driver fatigue: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) showed that 13% of truck drivers were fatigued before their crashes. Commercial drivers can be on the road for unfathomable hours and exceed their hours of service. Naturally, they get tired, leading to poor judgment and delayed reactions to sudden changes in driving or weather conditions.   
  • Mechanical failures: Over time, the wear and tear on a big rig can lead to critical issues such as tire blowouts.  
  • Speeding: Speeding trucks have longer stopping distances, less time to react to sudden changes in the road, and a greater inability to see what is in their blind spots.  
  • Distracted driving: Truckers are just as susceptible to modern distractions as any other driver. Four seconds of looking at a text is all that is needed for the truck owner to cause an accident. 
Tired truck driver feeling sleepy and sick

Most common truck accident injuries   

  • Traumatic brain injuries   
  • Neck and back injuries   
  • Broken bones   
  • Internal injuries   
  • Lacerations and contusions   
  • Burns   
  • Psychological injuries  
  • Wrongful death of a loved one 

Understanding Trucking Accidents and Personal Injury Law in Missoula County

Attorney discusses case with client

How fault is determined in a Missoula trucking accident   

Montana uses a modified comparative negligence system to determine fault in truck accidents.

This means that if you are partially at fault for an accident, you can still recover compensation from the other driver. but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

You cannot recover any compensation if you are more than 50% at fault.

Statute of limitations for trucking accidents   

In Montana, claimants generally have three years from the date of the trucking accident to file a personal injury claim for negligence. You should reach out to an Advocate as soon as possible following the accident. The more time that passes, the more difficult it may be for your legal team to gather the necessary evidence.    

Policeman writing up report on incident where their was a person injured

What to do after a truck accident   

Experiencing a truck accident can be chaotic and stressful. However, it is crucial to stay as composed as possible and follow these steps:  

  • Ensure safety  
  • Call 911 
  • Provide the police with facts of the accident 
  • Exchange information with all parties involved in the accident 
  • Document every aspect of the scene 
  • Do not admit fault 
  • Seek medical attention 
  • Consult an experienced personal injury attorney

When Should I Hire a Missoula Truck Accident Lawyer?

Serious injuries are much more likely in truck crashes compared to car accidents. If you are the victim of truck driver negligence, then, first off, The Advocates want to extend our sincerest condolences to you.   

If you want help navigating the legal issues of a truck accident claim, reach out to us through our contact form. You can talk to one of our experienced truck accident lawyers within minutes. Our law office takes great strides to distinguish itself from other firms.   

Profit is not our priority; the betterment of our clients is what matters most.  

From that first phone call to your final settlement, your case will be handled by Montana’s finest personal injury attorneys.  

This applies to everyone in this great state, from people in Bozeman to those in Glendive. If you need help with a truck accident, The Advocates are here. You deserve it.   

 

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