Car Accident Guide
What To Do If You’re In a Montana Car Accident
No honest Montana driver plans to be in a car accident, but car accidents happen.
That’s why we’ve prepared this crash course of simple and effective steps you should take to protect yourself if you’re in a car accident in Montana.
What you do before, during, and after a car accident matters — it can effect your ability to receive fair compensation.
Whether you were in a car accident yesterday or you just want to be prepared, read this Montana car accident guide to learn what you need to do if you find yourself in a car crash.
Contents
Part 1
Be Crash Ready
Four practical proactive things you can do to get accident prepared.
Part 2
At The Scene
Learn the four active things you should do at the scene of an accident.
Part 3
Health Care Procedure
Discover these simple rules for taking care of your injuries and your case.
Part 1
Be Crash Ready
Section Summary
Have Winter Ready Tires: One of the best ways to be crash ready in Montana is to avoid an accident in the first place. Tire traction is key in the winter and may make the difference between stopping safely or sliding into trouble.
Maintain Your Vehicle: Maintenance records for your vehicle help to establish the vehicle owner’s responsibility, especially in the case of vehicle malfunction leading to a car crash.
Wear Your Seat Belt: Mom was right — seat belts save lives. In Montana, it is against the law to not wear your seatbelt while driving or as a passenger.
Install a dashcam: If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million. A dash camera is the best way to see what happened in an accident – even if you didn’t see what happened.
Hopefully this goes without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway — being crash ready means that you have taken proactive steps to:
- Prevent yourself from getting in a car crash in the first place.
- Decrease the severity of an accident if it does occur.
- Have the right tools in place if you do get into an accident to support and build your potential personal injury case.
Here are four practical proactive things you can do to be crash ready for a Montana car accident.
Have Winter Ready Tires
Winter driving in Montana simultaneously erases driving lanes and improves your prayer life.
When winter drivers start “driving by braille” (defining their driving lane by keeping one set of tires squarely on the rumble strips ), make sure you have the traction you need.
One of the best ways to be crash ready in Montana is to avoid an accident in the first place.
Tire traction is key in the winter and may make the difference between stopping safely or sliding into trouble.
In Montana, you can legally drive with studs in your tires between October 1st and May 31st.
It is well worth your money to have a set of studded snow tires for the winter season.
Additionally, claim adjusters sometimes use your remaining tire tread to set the total value of your insurance claim.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Make sure your vehicle is crash ready by being properly maintained.
If your vehicle is less than 40 years old, then it came standard with something called a check engine light.
If your check engine or other warning light is on, then your car needs maintenance or a repair – don’t ignore it.
Warning lights can be for something as simple as needing an oil change or as serious as a major mechanical problem (sensor, anti-lock brake failure, etc).
A well-maintained vehicle is going to be able to perform the way it should (braking, steering, acceleration, etc.) to provide you the best outcome possible.
Also, maintenance records for your vehicle help to establish the vehicle owner’s responsibility, especially in the case of vehicle malfunction leading to a car crash.
Wear Your Seat Belt
It turns out mom was right.
According to current Montana car accident statistics, prolific public message billboards, and a plethora of radio Public Service Announcements, the verdict is in: seat belts save lives.
Being crash ready means you have taken every reasonable safety precaution.
Make sure everyone in the car puts on their seat belt.
Of the 37,133 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017, 47% were not wearing seat belts.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
In Montana, it is against the law to not wear your seatbelt while driving or as a passenger.
Don’t ignore the click it or ticket signs.
If you have children and they require a booster seat or infant car seat, make sure they are installed correctly and everyone is buckled up.
And, don’t disable your other safety features (airbags, traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes).
Your safety is your (and our) FIRST priority – your potential reimbursement is a distant second.
Install A Dash Cam
A dash camera is the best way to see what happened in an accident – even if you didn’t see what happened.
Here are just some of the benefits:
Being crash ready means you have the proper equipment to protect you and document everything that happened leading up to and during an accident.
- It’s cheap insurance – a good front and rear combo dash camera that is able to record front and rear footage simultaneously can cost less than $200.
- Record what happened in a rear or front collision and automatically save the incident so you can export it to your phone for easy distribution.
- Provide an exact time and date stamp for the incident.
- Show your seat belt usage and attentiveness (for rear-facing cab cameras).
- Record your driving speed (for GPS enabled systems).
- Document your defensive driving and evasive maneuvers.
- Establish the location of the accident and your route (for GPS enabled systems).
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million.
Video evidence will help corroborate your side of the story and help build your potential case.
Montana Car Accident Checklist
Instantly download a free car accident checklist outlining the actions you need to take at the scene of an accident. Print it and keep it with your vehicle documentation so you’ll always have it ready.
Part 2
At the Scene
Section Summary
Stay Calm, Stay Safe, Stay Put: Do not move your vehicle unless it is in an unsafe place or you are directed to do so by a responding officer.
Accept Help & Document Injuries: When emergency responders ask if you would like to be checked for injuries, take them up on the offer. Make sure you list any and all pain you are feeling, even if you would consider it minor at the time.
How to Document The Scene of a Car Accident: As soon as you are safe and able, you need to document the scene. Here’s how to document the scene of a car accident…
Free Car Accident Cheatsheet: We’ve prepared a free downloadable cheatsheet with all the actions you need to take at the scene of a car accident.
Now that you know what it means to be crash ready, its time to focus on what you need to do at the scene of a Montana car accident.
Following are four things you can do at the scene of the accident that will:
- Prevent you from additional physical harm.
- Get you the immediate help you need.
Stay Calm, Stay Safe, Stay Put
Car accidents can cause your adrenaline to rise and put you in a state of shock.
If you let it, adrenaline will wipe out all of your mental preparation.
Do your best to stay calm and turn on you emergency flashers (aka – hazard lights, which are usually located on your dash or steering column).
Do not move your vehicle unless it is in an unsafe place. If you have to move it, only move it as far as absolutely necessary and do not leave the scene of the accident.
If your vehicle is in a safe place (i.e. not sinking in water or on fire) you should stay put until help arrives.
In most cases, you should not get out of your vehicle unless you are directed to do so by emergency personnel.
In summary, stay calm, stay safe, stay put, and follow directions.
Accept Help & Document Injuries
When you are in a state of shock, you may not feel or notice the injuries you have sustained.
When emergency responders ask if you would like to be checked for injuries, take them up on the offer.
Emergency responders are trained to ask specific questions and look for common injuries.
If the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) strongly encourage you to receive care or be transported, you probably should.
Most insurance policies cover or partially cover these costs.
Following a car accident, make sure you list any and all pain you are feeling, even if you would consider it minor at the time.
If you don’t divulge this information at the scene or upon arrival at the hospital, it can be more difficult to demonstrate the origin of the pain (the accident).
Also, be honest with the EMT and your doctor.
If you had an injury prior to the accident, don’t try to pin your previous injury on this current accident.
This car accident may have exacerbated your previous injury, but shouldn’t be painted as the origin of the injury.
A lack of transparency can destroy a personal injury case and make you appear disingenuous.
How to Document The Scene of a Car Accident
Finally, as soon as you are safe and able, you need to document the scene.
Here’s how to document the scene of a car accident:
- Record Driver Info
Record the names of other drivers and license plates of any other vehicles involved in the accident.
- Record Witness Info
Take the names and contact information of any other witnesses.
- Take Photos
Take pictures with your cell phone or ask a passenger or friend to take pictures. Try to take pictures from multiple angles and distances before the vehicles are moved.
- Record Conditions
Record the time, weather conditions, and road conditions at the time of the accident.
- Record Damages and Injuries
Make notes regarding damages to your vehicle or property and document injuries to your person or any pain you are experiencing.
- Record Responder Info
Ask for contact information from first responders and emergency personnel.
- Archive Video Footage
If you have a dash camera, make sure to save the data on the disk and upload a backup to your phone if possible.
Montana Car Accident Checklist
Instantly download a free car accident checklist outlining the actions you need to take at the scene of an accident. Print it and keep it with your vehicle documentation so you’ll always have it ready.
Part 3
Car Accident Health Care Procedure
Section Summary
Choose the Right Doctor: If you have been injured in an accident, your family doctor may not be the best option for medical care. You may need a specialist to provide care specific to your injury.
Tell Your Doctor Everything: Tell the doctor about all the aches, pains, and injuries, no matter how small, embarrassing, or seemingly insignificant.
Listen to Your Doctor: Your doctor will probably prescribe certain limitations and restrictions due to your injuries. For a speedy recovery and a solid personal injury case, you need to follow your doctor’s instructions.
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Montana, it’s critical to take any potential injuries seriously to ensure a speedy recovery.
Additionally, following the correct car accident health care procedures can help ensure a successful insurance claim.
Follow the steps below to help you navigate the health care process.
Choose The Right Doctor
If you are admitted into the emergency room, the doctor who examines you will likely be the first doctor available.
For your follow-up appointments, it’s time to be a little picky.
A doctor who has a good reputation for the specific injuries you have suffered is the best choice.
Tell Your Doctor Everything
For your initial and follow up appointments, make sure you answer all the doctor’s questions and allow a full examination.
Now is not the time to tough out pain or injuries you may be experiencing.
Do yourself a favor and tell the doctor about all the aches, pains, and injuries, no matter how small, embarrassing, or seemingly insignificant.
A holistic approach to your injuries is necessary to recover quickly.
If you get home and you or your family notice that something is just not quite right, contact your doctor and report what you are feeling or experiencing.
Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for advice or further examination if you need it.
Listen To Your Doctor
Your doctor will probably prescribe certain limitations and restrictions due to your injuries.
Limitations: activities a patient may do within certain limited parameters, such as:
- How long you can stand continuously before you need to sit down
- How much weight you can lift
- How you should move (crutches, wheelchair, scooter)
- Light duty work activities
Restrictions: activities a patient may not do at all, such as:
- Not being allowed to drive
- Not being allowed to work
- Not being allowed to stand
- Not being allowed to play a sport
For a speedy recovery and a solid personal injury case, you need to follow your doctor’s instructions.
If you follow your doctor’s orders, you are going to recover more quickly and reduce the risk of further injury.
Part 4
Car Accident Insurance Procedure
Section Summary
Don’t Make Statements: If an insurance adjuster contacts you, don’t make any statements about the accident, your physical condition, or whether you are being treated by a doctor. Instead, let your attorney handle the calls to the insurance adjuster.
Don’t Rush to Settle: Every case is different, but it is seldom in your best interest to make a quick settlement. If you settle, you run the risk that your injuries may actually be more severe than they first appeared, and then that risk (and cost) will be completely borne by you.
Get a Free Car Accident Injury Consultation: Grizzly Law offers a free consultation for personal injuries, including car accidents. Our experienced car accident attorneys can help you analyze your case.
Now that you have a good doctor and are on the road to recovery, make sure you also understand the proper insurance procedure for filing car accident injury claims in Montana.
Don’t be fooled by the friendly insurance adjuster who keeps calling you to see how you are healing.
The insurance adjuster is more concerned about their bottom line than your fractured spine.
These next tips from our pros might pay the biggest dividends.
The Insurance Company Is Not Your Friend
Don’t Make Statements
If an insurance adjuster contacts you, don’t make any statements about the accident, your physical condition, or whether you are being treated by a doctor.
Simply thank the adjuster for calling, tell them that you don’t want to make any statements and that you don’t want them to call back.
Tell the insurance adjuster you will initiate a conversation when you are ready.
You don’t have to be rude, but you do need to be firm.
Take their contact information and then hire a competent attorney to even the playing field.
Let your attorney handle the calls to the insurance adjuster.
Any statement you make about the car accident or your injuries could negatively impact a future insurance claim.
Don’t Rush To Settle
Every case is different, but it is seldom in your best interest to make a quick settlement.
In an early settlement, the insurance adjuster will offer only what it assumes your minimum damages will ultimately be or the minimum amount you will accept to not take them to court.
If you settle, you run the risk that your injuries may actually be more severe than they first appeared, and then that risk (and cost) will be completely borne by you.
Grizzly Law strives to obtain a solid analysis from your doctors regarding your long-term physical condition prior to settling, which in a minor case may be as soon as a few months.
In a major case this could be years after the injury.
Get a Free Car Accident Injury Consultation
Grizzly Law offers a free car accident injury consultation.
In most personal injury cases, we won’t collect a fee unless you win your claim or personal injury case.
Our experienced car accident attorneys can help you…
- review your dashcam data
- evaluate the police reports
- and analyze witness testimony and other documentation
…to determine if it is worth your time and our effort to move forward with your case.
At Grizzly Law, we know the ins and outs of the Montana car accident legal procedure and will evaluate your case for free.
Get a Free Car Accident Injury Consultation
Grizzly Law offers a free consultation for all Montana car accident injury clients. If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need an experienced injury attorney advocating for you. We can evaluate your case for free and help you navigate the legal procedures.