Key points
- We represent people hurt in crashes in and around Helena. 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 Lewis and Clark County lawsuit is often filed in the First Judicial District (Lewis and Clark and Broadwater Counties).
Crashes on Helena-area roads
MacDonald Pass is a steep mountain crossing that is often icy in winter. Many state vehicles operate in Helena, and claims involving a government vehicle require extra steps. We represent people hurt on roads including:
- Interstate 15 north toward Great Falls and south toward Boulder and Butte
- U.S. 12 over MacDonald Pass toward Missoula
- U.S. 287 toward Townsend
- Montana Avenue, Last Chance Gulch and Custer Avenue
Meeting with us
Where we meet. We do not have an office in Helena. Our office is in Butte. We meet Helena clients by phone, by video in our virtual office, or in person by appointment. Our local Helena line, (406) 430-2288, rings Bob McCarthy's cell phone directly.
What happens after a Helena crash
Crashes here are usually investigated by the Helena Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Lewis and Clark County Sheriff outside them. Injured people are often treated at St. Peter's Health in Helena 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 Lewis and Clark County
| Court | Covers |
|---|---|
| Montana district court | First Judicial District (Lewis and Clark and Broadwater Counties) |
| Federal court, if the case is filed in or moved to federal court | U.S. District Court for Montana, Helena Division, Paul G. Hatfield Courthouse in Helena |
Frequently asked questions
Can a Butte lawyer handle my Helena 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 Helena case be filed?
A lawsuit for a crash in Lewis and Clark County is often filed in the First Judicial District (Lewis and Clark and Broadwater Counties). 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 Helena Division, Paul G. Hatfield Courthouse in Helena.
Who investigates a crash in the Helena area?
Usually the Helena Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Lewis and Clark 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.