Key points
- We represent people hurt in crashes in and around Butte.
- Most Montana injury claims must be filed within three years.
- A Butte-Silver Bow County lawsuit is often filed in the Second Judicial District (Silver Bow County).
Crashes on Butte-area roads
Butte sits where two interstates meet, so local roads carry heavy freight traffic along with commuters. Winter conditions on Homestake Pass and Elk Park can change quickly. We represent people hurt on roads including:
- Interstate 90 and Interstate 15, which share a corridor through Butte
- Homestake Pass on I-90 east of town, with steep grades and winter ice
- Harrison Avenue, the city's main commercial corridor
- Montana Highway 2 toward Whitehall and Highway 1 toward Anaconda
Meeting with us
Our office is in Butte. Office visits are by appointment only. Call (406) 494-2500, the same office line we have used for decades.
What happens after a Butte crash
Crashes here are usually investigated by Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement inside the city-county, and the Montana Highway Patrol on the interstates and highways. Injured people are often treated at St. James Healthcare in Butte 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 Butte-Silver Bow County
| Court | Covers |
|---|---|
| Montana district court | Second Judicial District (Silver Bow 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 Butte case?
Yes. Our office is here in Butte, and Bob McCarthy has practiced law in Montana since 1990.
Where would my Butte case be filed?
A lawsuit for a crash in Butte-Silver Bow County is often filed in the Second Judicial District (Silver Bow 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 Butte area?
Usually Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement inside the city-county, and the Montana Highway Patrol on the interstates and highways. 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.