Seriously injured in a semi truck accident? Was a loved one killed?
Our Great Falls, MT injury attorneys have fought for victims for over 75 years. Let us fight for you.
Semi trucks, tractor trailers, big rigs, 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks provide a vital service to our nation, transporting goods and products to communities from sea to shining sea—including remote and rural towns here in Montana. While commercial trucks are important to our economy and way of life, they also pose a serious danger.
How many accidents are caused by semi trucks?
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say exactly how many truck accidents there are in Montana as local state agencies don’t collect data on which crashes involve a tractor trailer.
However, national statistics reveal that a person is killed or seriously injured in a truck accident about every 15 minutes in the U.S., adding up to an estimated 500,000 truck crashes every year. Montana repeatedly ranks as one of the most dangerous states in terms of auto accidents injuries and fatalities. That reality, added to the state’s many rural, mountainous roadways and large industrial presence, is a recipe for disaster. For proof, all you have to do is watch local news to see frequent reports of tragic semi-truck crashes along I-90, I-15, US-93 and other highways crisscrossing the state.
If you or a loved one were involved in a truck accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. The clock is ticking on your compensation claim. There’s no better time than right now to take a close look at your legal options. Our experienced truck accident lawyers in Great Falls, MT can help you seek fair compensation that’s appropriate for your losses. You DON’T have to accept a low ball settlement from insurers.
Why hire Murphy Law Firm?
- We put our clients first
- We ONLY represent the injured
- Compassionate, aggressive and personal legal representation
- Licensed attorneys with extensive legal knowledge
- 75+ years of combined experience
- We’ve recovered millions of dollars in settlements for our clients
- Contingency fee (you don’t pay unless we win)
- Free consultation
Attorney Thomas J. Murphy
Founder of Murphy Law Firm
Montana’s legal system is complex and difficult to navigate. From the start, we’ll work hard to prove the facts of your case. We’ll thoroughly investigate the accident to prove liability, and to calculate your present and future damages. Let our family help yours by fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Case results
Murphy Law Firm has successfully represented thousands of Montanans, including complex workers’ compensation claims.
Most common types of truck accidents
Like all auto accidents, no two semi truck accidents are exactly the same. At the Murphy Law Firm, we specialize in all types of truck collision cases, including:
Rollover accidents
Due to their size and weight, semi trucks are more prone to rolling over other vehicles. Tripped and untripped rollover accidents can happen when a fully-loaded commercial truck takes a turn too fast or the cargo is poorly distributed, resulting in an imbalance that causes the truck to topple over.
Strong wind has also been known to cause trucks to rollover in Montana.
Underride accidents
An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle collides with the side or rear of a semi-truck, resulting in the vehicle sliding underneath the truck and getting pinned.
Since trucks are higher than most cars, smaller vehicles are likely to be crushed and result in serious injury or death. In fact, these are some of the most deadly types of truck accidents.
Unsecured loads
Since commercial trucks carry many tons of cargo, federal regulations have requirements that trucking companies and truck drivers must follow to ensure their cargo is properly secured.
However, sometimes people take dangerous shortcuts and fail to safely restrain cargo, which may result in a spill, rollover accident or jackknife. In such cases, multiple parties may be held responsible, including the driver and the trucking company.
Jackknife accidents
When a semi truck folds in on itself to where the cab and the trailer forms a 90 degree angle, this is known as “jackknifing.” A jackknife accident can be caused when a truck driver breaks too hard or quickly, or due to equipment malfunction.
Bad weather conditions are another common cause of jackknifing. Whatever the cause, these types of accidents are often severe as the careening trailer can destroy anything in its path.
Tire blowout accidents
A tire blowout can happen when there’s a small cut or puncture in the truck tire. Over time, the pressure and loss of air can cause the tire to suddenly tear apart, or blow out.
This can result in the truck swerving as the driver fights to maintain control over the rig. Large chunks of tire can also fly into the road, posing a hazard to nearby drivers.
Common truck accident injuries
Collisions between commercial semi-trucks and passenger vehicles are often particularly devastating due to the size and weight difference between the two automobiles. Tractor trailers and commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded down, which means a semi truck can wreak sheer devastation when it collides with a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle. As a result, injuries after a truck crash are often catastrophic, if not fatal.
Common examples of truck accident injuries include:
- Wrongful death
- Back and neck injuries
- Head and brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputation and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Severe burns
- Torso and rib injuries
What to do after a truck accident
If you were 
involved in a truck accident, either as a truck driver or as the driver or passenger of the other vehicle, take the following steps:
Call 911
Report the accident to the police and let them know if anyone is injured (including yourself). They’ll dispatch an ambulance immediately, if necessary, and investigate the accident scene. The police report will be important in determining who was at fault for the crash.
Get medical care
If you’re seriously hurt, wait for help to arrive and seek emergency medical attention immediately. Don’t worry about any other step if you’re seriously injured—simply follow your doctor’s recommendations and focus on recovery. Even if you don’t feel hurt, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to get an examination, as some injuries don’t appear right away.
Take photos
If you’re not seriously injured and it’s safe for you to do so, take pictures on your phone of the accident scene from various angles. Consider asking a friend or bystander to take pictures for you if you are too rattled or hurt to do so yourself. These can prove to be key pieces of evidence in your case.
Write down witness information
Again, if you’re unhurt and it’s safe for you to do so, gather contact information from any eyewitnesses and bystanders who saw the crash. Write down their name, phone number, address and email, if possible.
Notify your insurance company/employer
Call your own insurance company and let them know that you were in an accident. If you were injured while driving for work, let your employer know immediately.
Contact a truck accident lawyer
Reach out to an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible and tell them about what happened. They’ll be able to tell you if you have a case and how much compensation you should expect. They’ll also advise on what steps to take next.
Compensation for your truck accident
The types of damages you may be eligible for after a truck accident depends on some important details surrounding your case. For instance, were you involved in an auto accident with a semi or commercial truck, or were you the truck driver? Who was at fault for the collision? How seriously were you injured? Answers to these and other questions must be answered before we can tell you how much compensation you may be owed.
If you were injured by a truck driver as you were driving your motor vehicle, then you may be able to pursue compensation through insurance and, if necessary, a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, the trucking company, and perhaps other parties.
If you lost a spouse, parent or loved one due to a fatal truck accident, then you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault individual to help pay for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages and other damages.
If you were injured while driving for work, you might qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of whether you were responsible for the crash or if it was another driver’s fault.
Whatever the circumstances of your case, our Montana truck accident attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and determine how much compensation you may be owed.
Why you need the best Montana truck accident lawyers
Any accident is scary, but truck crashes are especially horrific. What’s more, these cases are more complex due to their severity and the number of parties involved. If you’re going up against a trucking company or their insurer—as an employee (truck driver) or a victim—then you must understand that they will put up a fight. Be prepared to fight back.
At Murphy Law Firm in Great Falls, MT, our experienced legal team fights exclusively for accident victims. We have a proven track record of helping injured Montanans seek every penny of compensation due for their injuries and losses. To help build your case, we will conduct a thorough accident scene investigation, interview all key witnesses, and perform exhaustive background research. We will calculate the full impact of the accident on your life—including past, current, and future expenses.
We can help you obtain reimbursement and compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium (income, companionship, child care, etc.)
- Emotional distress (pain and suffering)
- Punitive damages (money given as punishment)
If you’re the victim of a truck accident, seek effective legal help as soon as possible.
Schedule your free consultation today.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for helping me on my case. Matt I want to thank you the most for all of your incredible hard work. Thanks again.”
