Free Consultation
(406) 442-1054
Helena Montana Car Accident Injury Attorney

Helena Car Accident Lawyer

Protecting Car Accident Victims Across Helena and All of Montana

Car accidents in Montana can change your life in an instant. With miles of rural highways, high speed limits, and unpredictable weather, crashes here often cause serious injuries. In fact, Montana consistently ranks among the states with higher crash fatality rates per mile traveled, with alcohol and distracted driving as frequent factors.

At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, PLLC, our Helena car accident attorneys know the challenges local drivers face. From insurance disputes to medical bills piling up, we’re here to protect your rights and help you recover. Whether your accident happened in Helena, on I-15, or anywhere else in Montana, our team will fight for the compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations, and you won’t pay us unless we win your case. Call today to speak with a trusted Montana car accident lawyer about your options.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Montana

Montana’s road conditions can make driving risky. Rural highways stretch for miles, weather can shift quickly, trucks traveling at high speeds, and wildlife crossings are a constant hazard. These factors, combined with driver choices, often lead to devastating crashes.

Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Montana include:

  • Distracted driving (phones, texting, adjusting GPS)
  • Speeding or reckless driving on highways and rural roads
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Sudden snow, ice, or storms affecting visibility and traction
  • Failure to yield or obey traffic laws

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

Because of Montana’s higher speeds and rugged terrain, car accidents often cause severe, sometimes life-altering injuries. Some injuries are obvious right away, while others take hours or days to appear.

Common injuries resulting from Montana car accidents include:

  • Whiplash and soft tissue damage
  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal injuries

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, it’s important to see a doctor right away, then contact a Helena personal injury lawyer to protect your claim.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Helena

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Montana, contacting an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible is crucial. Early legal guidance can protect your rights and help you navigate the steps to take after the crash. At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, our attorneys will advise you on how to gather evidence, communicate appropriately with insurance companies, and meet all legal deadlines. Having professional legal support from the beginning can prevent common pitfalls and maximize your chances of securing full compensation for your injuries and damages.

After a car accident in Montana, you should take these essential steps:

  1. Ensure your safety and the safety of others; call 911 if anyone is injured
  2. Contact the police and wait for a report to be made at the scene
  3. Exchange contact, insurance, and vehicle information with other drivers involved
  4. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
  5. Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries are not immediately apparent
  6. Report the accident to your insurance company with basic factual info only
  7. Reach out to a qualified car accident attorney for a free consultation

Having a lawyer on your side early helps prevent mistakes and protects your right to full compensation.

Your Legal Rights After a Montana Car Accident

Montana law gives accident victims the right to seek compensation for:

  • Medical bills (current and future)

  • Vehicle repairs or replacement

  • Lost wages and loss of future earning ability

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • In some cases, punitive damages for reckless behavior

Even if you share some responsibility, Montana’s comparative negligence law allows you to recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% at fault. The amount you receive may be reduced by your percentage of fault, which makes having a strong attorney critical to minimizing your share.

Proving Fault in a Montana Car Accident

Determining who is at fault in a Montana car accident is a critical step in any personal injury claim. Proving negligence requires showing that the other driver breached a duty of care, directly causing the accident and your injuries. Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and medical records all play important roles in establishing fault. Montana’s comparative negligence framework means fault may be shared, but an attorney can help minimize your fault share while maximizing the other party’s responsibility. The team at Wall, McLean & Gallagher ensures that the evidence is properly gathered and presented, strengthening your case for fair compensation.

Understanding Montana’s Comparative Negligence Rule

If you’ve been in a car accident in Montana, it’s important to know that you have options to protect yourself and your future. By working with Wall, McLean & Gallagher, we can carefully look into your accident, find out what happened, and figure out the best way to help you based on your situation. They will review all the details, gather evidence, and explain your choices clearly, so you don’t have to navigate this confusing time alone.

One key part of building a strong case in Montana is proving who was at fault for the accident. Montana uses a “comparative negligence” rule, which means you can still get compensation even if you were partly responsible, as long as you were less than half at fault. However, your payment might be lowered depending on how much fault you share. Having an attorney on your side helps make sure the facts are clear, showing the other person’s responsibility while keeping your fault as low as possible.

Compensation Available to Car Accident Victims

Receiving compensation after a car accident is necessary to cover the costs and challenges that come with injuries and damages. Money from a claim can pay for medical bills, repair or replacement of your vehicle, and lost income if you can’t work. It can also help with pain and suffering or emotional distress caused by the accident. Without the proper compensation, recovering physically and financially can be much harder. Knowing what types of compensation you can pursue helps ensure you don’t miss out on the support you deserve.

Types of compensation available to car accident victims in Montana include:

  • Medical expenses, including future care
  • Property damage or vehicle repairs
  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Punitive damages in cases of reckless or malicious conduct

Montana’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Montana, you usually have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. For property damage, the deadline is generally two years. Families pursuing a wrongful death claim also have three years from the date of death. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering compensation, which is why it’s important to speak with a Helena car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

How Our Helena Car Accident Attorneys Can Help

At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, our dedication is to support Montana car accident victims through every stage of your recovery and claim. We bring extensive knowledge of local laws and a strategic approach to building strong cases. From investigating the accident scene to negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf, we handle the complex legal process while you focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us advocate for your rights and future.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Montana Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents in Montana can leave victims facing serious financial burdens, from mounting medical bills and the cost of a new vehicle to dealing with complicated insurance claims. These challenges can quickly become overwhelming without the right support. At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, we understand how these accidents can affect your life, and we’re dedicated to helping you through every step of the legal process. If you’ve been injured in a car accident Helena, Anaconda, or anywhere in Montana, contact us today for a free consultation and let us put our decades of experience to work for you.

Helena Montana Car Accident Injury Attorney
Get Started
Call (406) 442-1054 for fill out the form below and request a free consultation.
Trusted by
Over 200 Clients

“Not only is your expertise and experience top notch, your care and concern for your clients is genuine and sincere. And, you were the inspiration for my daughter to graduate law school and become a lawyer herself in 2025. Thank you! You are the best! I am forever grateful.”

Carla S.

“I’ve had an excellent experience working with this law firm. They bring the right balance of professionalism, compassion, and strategic thinking—especially important when navigating complex or emotionally sensitive legal matters.”

Michael L.

“I was incredibly impressed with Mike McLean and his team. He handled my case with professionalism and compassion. Mike was always willing to clearly explain all options throughout the process. He and his staff were always very assessable and responsive to inquiries. I highly recommend their services.”

Trish L.

“I highly recommend Wall, McLean, Gallagher. Mike and his staff were extremely helpful, professional and compassionate with the settling of my mother’s estate after she passed away. Mike went above and beyond to handle the entire process. It was truly a pleasure to work with Mike.”

Kevin H.

“I had the privilege of working with Mike McLean, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From our very first meeting, he demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism, legal expertise, and -perhaps most importantly- compassion.”

Mandi S.
Reviewed
on Google
Let’s Work Through Your Case Together
Legal issues can be overwhelming. Whether it’s a car accident, a real estate dispute, or planning for the future, we’re here to help. Reach out today—your peace of mind starts here.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute a client relationship.