Learn how fault is determined in a multi-vehicle crash in Montana and what you should do to protect your right to compensation
Navigating the aftermath of a pileup crash in Montana presents unique challenges, not least of which is determining liability amidst the chaos of multiple vehicles and potentially catastrophic injuries.
These multi-vehicle collisions often result from a sequence of events triggered by one or more drivers, but unraveling exactly who is at fault requires a meticulous examination of evidence and adherence to Montana’s traffic laws.
As experienced car accident attorneys in Great Falls, Montana, Murphy Law Firm specializes in dissecting the complexities of such accidents to ensure that victims can accurately establish liability and secure the compensation they need for recovery.
To learn how we can help maximize your claim,
schedule a free consultation today.
What is a multiple car crash?
A multiple-car crash, also known as a pileup, involves 3 or more vehicles and typically occurs on highways or other high-speed roadways. These accidents often start with a single collision that triggers a chain reaction of rear-end crashes due to close driving distances, high speeds, or poor visibility, leading to significant damage and potential injuries for all involved.
Are pileup crashes more dangerous than single-vehicle crashes?
Yes, pileup crashes can be more dangerous than single-vehicle crashes due to the involvement of multiple vehicles, which increases the potential for serious injuries and wrongful death.
In Montana, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that about 30% of all fatal crashes in 2021 were multi-vehicle crashes, underscoring the heightened risk associated with these types of accidents.
The complexity and chaos of pileups typically lead to a higher number of impacted individuals and make emergency response more challenging, contributing to their overall danger compared to incidents involving only one vehicle.
Police chase leads to pileup crash in Great Falls, MT
In March 2023, a multi-car crash occurred in Great Falls, Montana, when 55-year-old Don Lee David Stratton, who was wanted on a $750,000 revocation warrant for sex offenses involving a minor, fled law enforcement. During the chase, Stratton collided with 2 cars, causing significant damage and injuries, including a 9-year-old girl who required hospital care.
Stratton, who attempted to flee after the first collision, also suffered significant injuries but they were not life-threatening. He was taken to the hospital and faces felony criminal endangerment and traffic-related charges in addition to the existing warrant.
What are common causes of multi-vehicle crashes?
Multi-car crashes are more likely to occur in areas with congested traffic where drivers are traveling at higher speeds. Under these conditions, any driving errors can quickly escalate to a pileup crash. Common causes include:
- Drunk driving. Impairment due to alcohol, drugs, or medication can significantly affect a driver’s judgment, reaction times, and overall ability to drive safely, increasing the risk of initiating multi-vehicle accidents. In 2021 alone, 13,384 people died in drunk driving crashes across the U.S. That’s 1 death every 39 minutes.
- Distracted driving. Activities that divert the driver’s attention from the road, such as texting, using a cellphone, eating, or changing the radio, can lead to a chain-reaction crash if the distracted driver fails to notice slowing traffic or stopped vehicles ahead. In 2021, 3,522 people died in crashes across the U.S. due to driver distraction.
- Tailgating. Following too closely behind another vehicle leaves insufficient stopping distance if the lead vehicle brakes suddenly, often resulting in rear-end collisions that can involve multiple vehicles.
- Vehicle malfunctions. Mechanical failures, such as tire blowouts or brake failures, can cause a driver to lose control, leading to crashes that involve multiple vehicles.
- Speeding. Driving at high speeds reduces the time available to react to slowing traffic or unexpected obstacles, increasing the likelihood of a crash involving multiple vehicles. About 29% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S., or 12,330 deaths, were caused by speeding in 2021.
- Traffic flow interruptions. Abrupt changes in traffic flow, such as sudden stops or merging lanes, can catch drivers off guard, especially in high-traffic areas, leading to pileups.
- Poor road conditions. Potholes, uneven road surfaces, and poorly marked construction zones can cause drivers to lose control or stop unexpectedly, triggering multi-vehicle accidents.
- Weather conditions. Poor weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, or ice can decrease visibility and road traction, leading to collisions involving several vehicles, especially when drivers fail to adjust their speed and following distances.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Montana
Learn about the most frequent catastrophic crash injuries in Montana.
Whose insurance pays in a multi-car accident in Montana?
In Montana, which operates under a fault-based (or “tort”) insurance system, the driver found to be at fault for causing a multi-car accident is responsible for covering the damages incurred by other parties involved. This means the at-fault driver’s insurance company is usually expected to pay for medical expenses, property damages, and other economic and non-economic costs resulting from the crash.
Montana also follows the “modified comparative negligence” rule, which allows for damage recovery in an accident as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. However, the compensation you can receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Here’s an example: You’re involved in a multi-vehicle crash where 3 drivers, including yourself, are found to be partially at fault. Let’s say you’re found to be 10% at fault, another driver is found to be 60% at fault, and the third driver is 30% at fault. In this scenario, you would be able to recover damages since you’re not more than 50% at fault, but your compensation would be reduced by 10% to reflect your share of the fault.
So, if your total damages amounted to $100,000, you would be entitled to recover $90,000, reflecting a 10% reduction based on your degree of fault.
The driver who was 30% liable would also be entitled to compensation for their damages (with a 30% reduction in their compensation based on their percentage of fault), but the driver who was 60% at fault would not be entitled to recover any compensation under Montana’s modified comparative negligence law because they were more than 50% at fault.
How To Prove Fault in a Montana Car Accident
Learn how to prove negligence after a car accident in Great Falls so you can recover the compensation you deserve and protect your rights.
How can a Montana car accident attorney help with a pileup accident claim?
In Montana, an attorney plays a crucial role in minimizing your liability and maximizing your compensation following a multi-vehicle crash. Here’s how they can help:
- Investigating the crash. Your attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, collecting and examining evidence such as police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and vehicle data to establish the sequence of events and identify all liable parties.
- Handling negotiations. Experienced attorneys are essential for navigating the complexities of dealing with multiple insurance companies and legal representatives involved in a multi-vehicle crash. They can manage all communication and negotiations on your behalf, ensuring you don’t accept a lowball offer or admit to any fault that isn’t yours.
- Establishing fault and liability. As we discussed, in Montana, fault is crucial for determining liability. Your lawyer can help establish other parties’ fault based on evidence, thereby reducing your percentage of fault and increasing the compensation you can recover.
- Calculating damages. Attorneys can accurately calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, to ensure you get compensated appropriately.
- Litigating your case. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court, advocating for your rights and interests throughout the legal process.
By leveraging their legal expertise and resources, attorneys can significantly impact the outcome of your case, helping you navigate the legal challenges of a multi-vehicle crash in Montana and maximizing your compensation.
Injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Great Falls, Montana? Murphy Law Firm can help!
If you’ve been injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Great Falls, Montana, don’t navigate the complex legal landscape alone. The dedicated personal injury attorneys at Murphy Law Firm bring over 75 years of combined experience to your case, offering the support and expertise you need to secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case and discover how we can assist you in minimizing your liability and maximizing your recovery.
References
Fatality Facts 2018: State by state. (2018). IIHS-HLDI Crash Testing and Highway Safety. https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state#crash-types
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2020, November 5). Distracted Driving. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; United States Department of Transportation. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
National Safety Council. (2021). Speeding. Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/speeding/
NHTSA. (2019, January 11). Drunk Driving. NHTSA; United States Department of Transportation. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
