Key points
- We represent people hurt in crashes in and around Kalispell. 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 Flathead County lawsuit is often filed in the Eleventh Judicial District (Flathead County).
Crashes on Kalispell-area roads
Flathead Valley roads carry heavy summer tourist traffic headed to Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake, log trucks, and long stretches of winter ice and snow. We represent people hurt on roads including:
- U.S. 93 north toward Whitefish and south toward Polson
- U.S. 2 (Idaho Street) east toward Columbia Falls and Glacier National Park and west toward Libby
- Montana 35 along the east shore of Flathead Lake
- Kalispell city streets and the commercial areas along U.S. 93
Meeting with us
Where we meet. We do not have an office in Kalispell. Our office is in Butte. We meet Kalispell clients by phone, by video in our virtual office, or in person by appointment. Our local Kalispell line, (406) 387-1234, rings Bob McCarthy's cell phone directly.
What happens after a Kalispell crash
Crashes here are usually investigated by the Kalispell Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Flathead County Sheriff outside them. Injured people are often treated at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell 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 Flathead County
| Court | Covers |
|---|---|
| Montana district court | Eleventh Judicial District (Flathead County) |
| Federal court, if the case is filed in or moved to federal court | U.S. District Court for Montana, Missoula Division, Russell Smith Courthouse in Missoula |
Frequently asked questions
Can a Butte lawyer handle my Kalispell 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 Kalispell case be filed?
A lawsuit for a crash in Flathead County is often filed in the Eleventh Judicial District (Flathead 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 Missoula Division, Russell Smith Courthouse in Missoula.
Who investigates a crash in the Kalispell area?
Usually the Kalispell Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Flathead 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.