Key points
- We represent people hurt in crashes in and around Great Falls. 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 Cascade County lawsuit is often filed in the Eighth Judicial District (Cascade County).
Crashes on Great Falls-area roads
Great Falls roads carry farm equipment and grain trucks during harvest, along with Malmstrom Air Force Base traffic and strong winter crosswinds. We represent people hurt on roads including:
- Interstate 15 north toward Shelby and south toward Helena
- U.S. 87 toward Havre and Lewistown, and U.S. 89 toward Choteau
- 10th Avenue South, the city's main commercial corridor
- Highway 200 east and west of the city
Meeting with us
Where we meet. We do not have an office in Great Falls. Our office is in Butte. We meet Great Falls clients by phone, by video in our virtual office, or in person by appointment. Our local Great Falls line, (406) 401-6800, rings Bob McCarthy's cell phone directly.
What happens after a Great Falls crash
Crashes here are usually investigated by the Great Falls Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Cascade County Sheriff outside them. Injured people are often treated at Benefis Health System 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 Cascade County
| Court | Covers |
|---|---|
| Montana district court | Eighth Judicial District (Cascade County) |
| Federal court, if the case is filed in or moved to federal court | U.S. District Court for Montana, Great Falls Division, Missouri River Courthouse in Great Falls |
Frequently asked questions
Can a Butte lawyer handle my Great Falls 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 Great Falls case be filed?
A lawsuit for a crash in Cascade County is often filed in the Eighth Judicial District (Cascade 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 Great Falls Division, Missouri River Courthouse in Great Falls.
Who investigates a crash in the Great Falls area?
Usually the Great Falls Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Cascade 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.