Key points
- We represent people hurt in crashes in and around Bozeman. We do not have an office there; we meet by phone, video or appointment.
- Most Montana injury claims must be filed within three years.
- A Gallatin County lawsuit is often filed in the Eighteenth Judicial District (Gallatin County).
Crashes on Bozeman-area roads
Bozeman has grown quickly. Construction, new subdivisions and visitors driving rental cars to Big Sky and Yellowstone add risk, and Gallatin Canyon is narrow and winding. We represent people hurt on roads including:
- Interstate 90 over Bozeman Pass toward Livingston
- U.S. 191 through Gallatin Canyon toward Big Sky and West Yellowstone
- Montana 86 through Bridger Canyon
- North 19th Avenue, Main Street and Huffine Lane
Meeting with us
Where we meet. We do not have an office in Bozeman. Our office is in Butte. We meet Bozeman clients by phone, by video in our virtual office, or in person by appointment. Our local Bozeman line, (406) 306-7333, rings Bob McCarthy's cell phone directly.
What happens after a Bozeman crash
Crashes here are usually investigated by the Bozeman Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Gallatin County Sheriff outside them. Injured people are often treated at Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center or a nearby clinic. We gather the crash report, medical records and bills, insurance information and any available video, and we send preservation letters when a commercial vehicle is involved.
Montana law that applies
- Most injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within three years.
- If you were partly at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share, but not barred unless your fault is greater than the combined fault of the others.
- When fault is reasonably clear, the at-fault driver's insurer may have to pay accident-related medical bills as they come in.
- Claims against a city, county or the state must first be presented in writing.
Courts for Gallatin County
| Court | Covers |
|---|---|
| Montana district court | Eighteenth Judicial District (Gallatin County) |
| Federal court, if the case is filed in or moved to federal court | U.S. District Court for Montana, Butte Division, Mike Mansfield Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Butte |
Frequently asked questions
Can a Butte lawyer handle my Bozeman case?
Yes. Bob McCarthy is licensed in Montana state and federal courts. Most of the work in an injury case, including records, insurer negotiations and court filings, can be handled from anywhere in the state, and we travel for depositions, mediations and trial.
Where would my Bozeman case be filed?
A lawsuit for a crash in Gallatin County is often filed in the Eighteenth Judicial District (Gallatin County). Where to file depends on the facts, and if the other side is from out of state, the case may be moved to federal court, in the Butte Division, Mike Mansfield Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Butte.
Who investigates a crash in the Bozeman area?
Usually the Bozeman Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Gallatin County Sheriff outside them. We request the crash report and any photos or video they collected.
How soon should I call?
As soon as you can. Evidence such as video, vehicle data and witness memories fades quickly, and most Montana injury claims must be filed within three years.