Key points
- We represent people hurt in crashes in and around Missoula. 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 Missoula County lawsuit is often filed in the Fourth Judicial District (Missoula and Mineral Counties).
Crashes on Missoula-area roads
Missoula traffic mixes university commuters, tourists, log trucks and interstate freight. Many people walk and ride bicycles in town. We represent people hurt on roads including:
- Interstate 90 through the Hellgate Canyon and west toward Idaho
- U.S. 93 north over Evaro Hill and south through the Bitterroot
- U.S. 12 over Lolo Pass
- Reserve Street and Brooks Street, two of the busiest corridors in the city
Meeting with us
Where we meet. We do not have an office in Missoula. Our office is in Butte. We meet Missoula clients by phone, by video in our virtual office, or in person by appointment. Our local Missoula line, (406) 317-5900, rings Bob McCarthy's cell phone directly.
What happens after a Missoula crash
Crashes here are usually investigated by the Missoula Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Missoula County Sheriff outside them. Injured people are often treated at Providence St. Patrick Hospital and Community 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 Missoula County
| Court | Covers |
|---|---|
| Montana district court | Fourth Judicial District (Missoula and Mineral Counties) |
| 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 Missoula 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 Missoula case be filed?
A lawsuit for a crash in Missoula County is often filed in the Fourth Judicial District (Missoula and Mineral 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 Missoula Division, Russell Smith Courthouse in Missoula.
Who investigates a crash in the Missoula area?
Usually the Missoula Police Department inside city limits and the Montana Highway Patrol or Missoula 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.