Montana is a big, beautiful state. It’s full of wide open spaces, tall mountains, and friendly people. But just like anywhere else, accidents can happen here too. Whether it’s a car crash, a fall at the store, or a dog bite, getting hurt because of someone else’s mistake can turn your life upside down.
If you’ve been hurt here, talking to a Montana personal injury lawyer can help you understand what your claim might be worth.
Here is what can affect the value of your personal injury claim in very simple terms.
How Badly You’re Hurt
The more serious your injury, the more your claim may be worth. For example, a broken leg usually leads to a bigger claim than a small bruise. Why? Because it takes longer to heal, you might need more doctor visits, and you could miss a lot of work.
If you’re hurt badly and can’t go back to work for a long time, or ever, that can raise the value of your claim even more. The law tries to help make up for your lost time, pain, and changes to your life.
Your Medical Bills
The cost of your medical care is a big part of your claim. If you had to visit the hospital, get X-rays, take medicine, or go to physical therapy, all of those costs count. Be sure to save your bills and receipts. The more medical care you need, the more your claim may be worth.
Time Off Work
If your injury kept you from working, that also matters. You may be able to get money for the wages you lost. For example, if you couldn’t work for two months because of your injury, your claim could include the money you would have earned during that time.
If your injury affects your ability to work in the future, that can make your claim even more valuable.
Pain and Suffering
This is a little harder to measure, but it’s important. Pain and suffering means how much the injury has hurt your daily life. Are you in pain every day? Can you no longer do things you used to enjoy, like hiking or playing with your kids? These things matter, even if you can’t put a number on them.
Lawyers and insurance companies try to figure out a fair amount for your pain and suffering.
Who Was at Fault
To get money for your injury, you have to show that someone else was at fault. If the other person was clearly responsible, like if they ran a red light; it is easier to win your case. But if you were partly to blame, that can lower your claim amount.
Montana has something called “comparative negligence.” That means if you were partly at fault, your payment might be reduced. For example, if you were 20% at fault, you’d get 80% of the total amount.
Insurance Limits
Sometimes, the other person’s insurance limits how much money you can get. Even if your injuries are serious, the insurance company may only pay up to a certain amount. In some cases, your own insurance can help cover the rest, but it depends on your policy.
