In Montana, when someone sustains an injury on another person’s property, questions often arise regarding liability. Homeowner’s insurance can indeed be a crucial factor in these situations. Understanding the nuances of when homeowner’s insurance might be responsible and when it might not be is essential for both property owners and visitors alike in our state. Basics of homeowner’s insurance Homeowner’s insurance typically includes premises liability coverage in Montana. This coverage serves to protect homeowners against claims for bodily injury or property damage occurring on their premises ..read more

If you want to recover as much compensation as you can from your personal injury case, then you need to develop a strong legal strategy. While that certainly includes gathering evidence that speaks to causation and your damages, you’ll also want to avoid making some costly mistakes that could jeopardize the viability of your claim and the amount of compensation you can recover. This week we want to look at one serious mistake that victims often make: posting on social media. Social media can be a great way to relieve your stress and connect with your friends and family, but it can also be risk ..read more

Previously on the blog, we discussed whether it’s a good idea to settle your personal injury lawsuit. Settling your case has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice that’s best for you will fully depend on the circumstances of your case and what you want to get out of your claim. But if you make the decision to settle your case, then you need to know how to get as much out of it as possible. If you don’t milk it for all its worth, then you’ll wind up with an outcome that falls short of your expectations. What can you do to get the most out of your personal injury settlement? You can’t ..read more

The Interstate Highway System was designed to make driving from one city to another as safe as possible. Unfortunately, some drivers have managed to defeat this intention by somehow driving for significant distances in the lane intended for drivers headed in the opposite direction. As expressed by Montana Highway Parol Sergeant Jay Nelson, the last thing a motorist on the Interstate Highway System thinks about is the possibility of meeting a vehicle headed the opposite direction. Recent increase in head-on incidents Yet the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office has recently reported a sharp increas ..read more

Navigating Missoula’s sidewalks is essential for pedestrian safety, but when accidents occur, determining liability can be complex. If you have tripped on your neighbor’s sidewalk, understanding the responsible party involves considering several factors, such as the cause of the fall, the sidewalk’s location and the city’s policies. Cause of the fall Identifying the cause of your fall is crucial in determining liability. Was it due to a sidewalk defect, external elements, like snow or debris, or your own actions? If the defect is to blame, you may have a claim against the city or the adjacent ..read more

Montana motorists rarely travel on a roadway without encountering a large truck. Because semi-trucks and tractor trailers trucks are so essential when it comes to transporting goods within the state and across the nation, they use major and non-major roadways every day and night throughout the year. While shipments can be made without issue, factors such as delays, hazardous weather, tight deadlines, monetary incentives and other factors that impact the driver and trucking company could generate significant risks on the roadway. As such, when a truck accident occurs, it is imperative to consid ..read more

We need to be able to trust our doctors and medical providers. After all, at times our life is literally in their hands. Unfortunately, not all encounters with medical professionals are pleasant and some are downright uncomfortable or scary. But how do you know if you simply had a bad experience or are a victim of medical malpractice? Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other medical professional acts negligently and causes harm to a patient. Knowing some common forms of medical malpractice can help you determine if you have a valid claim. Misdiagnosis is a very common type of medical ..read more

Over the last several decades, the 50 states have adopted statutes regarding insurance that has created two classes of states: “no-fault” states and “fault” or “tort” states. Montana is a “fault” or “tort” state. This means that liability for personal injuries and property damage sustained in a motor vehicle accident are wholly the responsibility of the driver who caused the accident – or was “at fault.” In a “no-fault” state, the situation is a bit more complicated. Who is liable for damages in a “no-fault state?” Twelve states are currently classified as “no-fault” states. In these states, f ..read more

Missoula’s winter can bring about challenging conditions with unpredictable snowfall and icy surfaces, posing potential hazards for both pedestrians and drivers. For business owners, understanding your responsibilities in clearing snow from your property is crucial, and for customers, knowing your rights is equally important. Sidewalk snow removal obligations In accordance with the Missoula Municipal Code (MMC 12.16.30), property owners, whether residential or commercial, must ensure that adjacent sidewalks are free of snow and ice by 9:00 a.m. the day after a snowfall. The code emphasizes res ..read more

With the pressure of lost wages and medical bills weighing down on you after your car accident, you need to find a way to secure financial stability. That’s hard to do as you’re trying to navigate your newfound challenges, especially since you’re feeling the strain of the physical pain, emotional trauma, and psychological toll of your accident. Although you might feel overwhelmed right now, help in the form of a personal injury lawsuit is available. If you succeed on one of these claims, then you might be able to not only recover the compensation that you need to spur your recovery forward, bu ..read more