Great Falls Truck Accident Attorney
Montana’s Record-Breaking Trial Firm, Serving Great Falls Since 1985
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds under federal limits. When one of those rigs hits a passenger vehicle, the consequences are rarely minor. Victims face catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and insurance adjusters working to limit their exposure from the moment the crash occurs. Great Falls sits at the intersection of major commercial trucking corridors, including Interstate 15 and U.S. Highway 87, making commercial vehicle crashes a recurring hazard for area drivers.
At Hoyt & Blewett PLLC, we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured Montanans, including the largest reported individual personal injury settlement in Montana history: $27 million for a brain injury sustained in an auto accident. We’ve served Great Falls and the rest of Montana since 1985, and insurance companies know our record. When a trucking company’s insurer sees our name on a case, they understand we’re prepared to take it to trial. That reputation changes how they negotiate. Trucking companies and their insurers typically deploy legal teams immediately after a serious crash, which is why you should speak with an attorney before giving any recorded statement. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no fees unless we recover compensation for you, and we offer free, no-obligation consultations to evaluate your case.
Call (406) 233-1302 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation with our Great Falls truck accident lawyers.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur in a variety of ways, and the type of crash often shapes both the injuries involved and the liability questions that follow.
- Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out to a 90-degree angle with the cab, often triggering a multi-vehicle pileup and extensive damage.
- Rear-End Collisions: Loaded commercial trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. When a driver can’t stop in time, the results can be catastrophic.
- Underride Accidents: These happen when a smaller vehicle slides beneath a trailer. They are among the most fatal crash types, as the roof of the smaller vehicle may be sheared off entirely.
- Rollover Accidents: Rollovers occur when a truck tips onto its side or roof, often due to driver error, excessive speed, or shifting cargo.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have large no-zone areas alongside and behind their trailers. When drivers fail to account for them, nearby vehicles can be struck without warning.
Our Verdicts Speak Volumes
Life-Changing Results, Time and Time Again
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$27,000,000 Settlement
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$21,350,000 Jury Verdict
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$11,000,000 Settlement
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$9,790,000 Jury Verdict
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$7,008,000 Jury Verdict
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$6,500,000 Settlement
Where Truck Accidents Happen in the Great Falls Area
Truck accidents in Great Falls can happen anywhere, but certain locations concentrate the risk:
- Highways and Freeways: Interstate 15, U.S. Highway 87, Montana Highway 200, and Montana Highway 89 all carry substantial commercial truck traffic serving the Great Falls region. The I-15 corridor south of the city passes through canyons and river grades, while the stretch north toward Shelby adds long-haul open-plains exposure, each presenting distinct hazards for large commercial vehicles.
- Intersections: Turning difficulties and failure-to-yield conflicts between semi-trucks and passenger vehicles are a common source of crashes in tighter urban spaces.
- Construction Zones: Reduced lane widths and altered traffic patterns increase collision risk for 18-wheelers and other large vehicles with limited maneuverability.
- Rural Roads: Narrow lanes and limited sightlines throughout Cascade County create conditions where encounters with commercial trucks are especially dangerous.
Pinpointing where a crash occurred helps with evidence gathering and accident reconstruction, both of which can be decisive in a truck accident claim.
Why Great Falls Truck Accident Victims Choose Hoyt & Blewett PLLC
When you’re going up against a large trucking company and its insurer, the firm representing you needs a record that commands respect. We’ve obtained many of the top personal injury verdicts in Montana, including more than a dozen jury verdicts exceeding $1 million. Our $27 million settlement for a brain injury sustained in an auto accident remains the largest reported individual personal injury settlement in Montana history. We’ve also secured a $9.79 million jury verdict for a railroad crossing injury and an $11 million settlement for a construction accident, both involving complex claims against commercial and industrial defendants.
Nationally Recognized Attorneys
Our attorneys hold credentials that few firms in the country can match. Zander Blewett is the only Montana attorney admitted to the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group of 100 of the nation’s most celebrated trial lawyers, and the only lawyer from Montana admitted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame. All four of our partners were named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America. These recognitions reflect a litigation record built over decades, not marketing claims. Many of our cases come through attorney referrals, which tells you something about how our peers view our work.
How We Build Your Case
We collaborate with accident reconstruction professionals and medical professionals to build comprehensive tractor-trailer and commercial truck accident cases. We screen every case we accept for merit, so when we take yours, we believe in it. Our firm has over 150 five-star Google reviews and has been part of the Great Falls community since 1985. We’re annual supporters of the United Way of Cascade County and have made substantial contributions to Great Falls High School, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Falls, and the Boys and Girls Club. That community commitment isn’t separate from the way we practice law. It reflects how seriously we take our responsibilities to the people we serve.
Contact us today at (406) 233-1302 for a free consultation. Together, we can help you navigate the path ahead and work to protect your rights as you plan your next steps.
