Montana Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Advocating for Injured Riders Across Montana

Every year, nearly 5,000 motorcycle riders are killed in crashes, and more than 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in an injury or death to a rider or passenger. Without airbags, seatbelts, or a steel frame, there’s little to protect motorcyclists from serious, often catastrophic injuries when an inattentive driver in a larger vehicle makes a mistake. Even the most cautious rider may have difficulty avoiding collisions with drunk drivers and other distracted motorists.

Our Montana motorcycle accident attorneys understand how these crashes happen and how exposed riders are when they do. With over three decades of experience representing injured motorcyclists throughout Montana, our team at Hoyt & Blewett PLLC is prepared to pursue compensation available under the law after a crash caused by someone else’s negligence.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, call us at (406) 233-1302 for a free case evaluation with our Montana motorcycle crash lawyers.

On This Page:

What Causes Motorcycle Crashes?
What Are Some Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
What Types of Compensation Can Be Recovered?
Experienced Attorneys Advocating for Injured Bikers

Why Your Motorcycle Crash Attorney’s Trial Record Matters

Many firms in Montana claim to be trial attorneys. Documented jury verdicts are the real measure of that claim, and they can affect what an insurance company is willing to offer your family before a case ever reaches a courtroom.

At Hoyt & Blewett, we’ve secured well over a dozen jury verdicts worth more than $1 million, including a $27 million settlement for a brain injury sustained in an auto accident, the largest reported individual personal injury settlement in Montana history. Insurers study those results. When adjusters evaluate a claim, they look closely at whether the firm on the other side actually takes cases to trial and wins. Our record as a motorcycle crash attorney firm in Montana can change that calculation from day one.

Zander Blewett is the only attorney in Montana admitted to the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group limited to 100 of the nation’s most celebrated trial lawyers, and the only Montana lawyer admitted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame. All four of our partners, Zander Blewett, Joseph Cosgrove, Drew Blewett, and Anders Blewett, were named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America. We screen every case for merit before accepting it because we’re committed to representing riders who may stand the strongest chance at compensation under Montana law and to taking those cases as far as necessary to pursue that result.

What Causes Motorcycle Crashes?

From bad weather to defective tires to negligent drivers, there are countless ways you can become involved in a life-threatening motorcycle crash. While riders can reduce risk by wearing a helmet, keeping their bike maintained, and riding defensively, the reality is that motorcyclists often have very little control over the actions of others on the road.

According to a foundational 1981 motorcycle study known as the “Hurt Report,” almost half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involved alcohol use by car drivers or riders. In more than two-thirds of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcyclist’s right-of-way, often because they didn’t see the rider in time. Although motorcycle deaths and injuries have declined in some periods thanks to safety advocacy and better gear, driver negligence still plays a critical role in serious crashes.

Common causes of motorcycle crashes linked to negligence include:

Aggressive driving behavior and road rage
Failure to use turn signals or merge carefully
Tailgating
Drunk driving or substance use
Faulty or defective vehicles and auto parts
Speeding
Ignoring traffic laws and rules

Several collision types appear repeatedly in serious motorcycle crash cases. Understanding how they happen helps establish who bears responsibility.

Left-Turn Collisions: A driver turning left at an intersection cuts across a rider’s path, often because they misjudged the motorcycle’s speed or failed to see it at all. These are among the most dangerous crashes a rider can face.
Rear-End Crashes: A following driver fails to maintain a safe distance and strikes a rider who is slowing or stopped. Motorcycles can decelerate faster than cars, and riders have no structural protection from the impact.
Lane Change Accidents: A driver merges into an occupied lane without checking blind spots. Motorcycles are frequently invisible to drivers who are only scanning for other cars or trucks.
Head-On Collisions: A vehicle crosses the centerline on a two-lane road because of distraction, impairment, or a failed passing maneuver. These crashes carry an extremely high risk of fatal injury for the rider.

Our Verdicts Speak Volumes

Life-Changing Results, Time and Time Again

View Recent Results

$27,000,000 Settlement
$21,350,000 Jury Verdict
$11,000,000 Settlement
$9,790,000 Jury Verdict
$7,008,000 Jury Verdict
$6,500,000 Settlement

What Are Some Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Injuries from a motorcycle accident can leave riders severely debilitated, disfigured, and facing years of medical care.

Typical injuries reported by riders after a crash include:

Road rash, skin abrasion and laceration from sliding on pavement, which can cause permanent scarring or require skin grafts
Fire and burn injuries
Scarring and disfigurement
Amputation
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Organ damage
Severe bone and skull fractures
Crushing injuries
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis

Montana Law & Your Motorcycle Crash Claim

Three key legal rules shape nearly every motorcycle crash claim filed in Montana. Understanding them before you speak with an insurer or consider a settlement offer can help protect the value of your case.

Modified Comparative Negligence

Montana follows a modified comparative negligence rule under MCA § 27-1-702. If you’re found partially at fault for the crash, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. A rider found 30% at fault on a $100,000 claim recovers $70,000. Recovery is barred entirely if your share of fault reaches 51% or more. Insurers frequently argue that riders were speeding, lane-splitting, or otherwise contributed to a crash. Comparative fault is one of the most common tactics used to reduce or deny claims, and it’s a central reason why having a motorcycle accident attorney in Montana review your case early matters.

Statute of Limitations

Under MCA § 27-2-204, injured riders have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in Montana. Missing this deadline typically eliminates the right to pursue compensation entirely, regardless of how strong the underlying claim may be. Filing promptly also preserves evidence, keeps witness accounts fresh, and maintains all available legal options.

Montana’s Helmet Law

Montana doesn’t require adult motorcycle riders to wear helmets. MCA § 61-9-417 mandates protective headgear only for operators and passengers under 18. Riding without a helmet is legal for adults, but an insurer may argue that not wearing one contributed to the severity of any head injuries sustained. This argument can affect the non-economic portion of a claim depending on the circumstances of the crash.

What Types of Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Motorcycle Accident in Montana?

Depending on the nature of the accident and the severity of the injuries involved, a rider may be prevented from returning to work, require long-term care, or tragically lose their life. If the crash was caused by a negligent third party, Montana law provides for compensation that may include:

Medical Expenses: You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, including hospital bills, doctor visits, physical therapy, and prescription medication.
Lost Wages: If you’re unable to work as a result of the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This may include future lost wages if you can’t return to work in the same capacity.
Property Damage: If your motorcycle or other property was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the cost of repairs or replacement.
Pain and Suffering: You may be entitled to compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the accident and its aftermath.
Emotional Distress: You may be entitled to compensation for emotional distress caused by the accident and its aftermath. This may include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Loss of Established Course of Life: If the accident has caused a significant disruption to your daily life, such as an inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of established course of life.

When a crash results in a rider’s death, Montana law allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support the deceased provided, and loss of companionship. If a drunk driver caused the crash, Montana’s dram shop law (MCA § 27-1-710) may also allow a claim against the establishment that over-served that driver, expanding the pool of responsible parties beyond the driver alone.

Montana attracts thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts each summer to experience the state’s open spaces, national parks, and wilderness areas. Although Montana law doesn’t mandate helmet use for adult riders, helmets have been shown to reduce fatalities and limit the severity of traumatic brain injuries following motorcycle accidents caused by wildlife, careless drivers, and other roadway hazards.

Experienced Attorneys Advocating for Injured Bikers

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to work with a Montana motorcycle accident lawyer who has real trial experience representing injured people. Insurance companies may be more likely to offer fair compensation when they know your attorney is prepared to take your case to a jury.

At Hoyt & Blewett PLLC, we use our history of substantial verdicts and settlements to push back against lowball offers and insurance bad-faith tactics. We investigate the crash, work with medical and economic professionals to document your losses, and pursue compensation allowed under Montana law from the negligent driver and their insurer.

Contact us today to receive a free consultation regarding your motorcycle accident. From our office in Great Falls, our attorneys serve clients throughout Montana.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault for the Crash?

Yes, in many cases. Montana’s modified comparative negligence rule allows recovery as long as your share of fault doesn’t reach 51%. If you’re found 25% at fault, your award is reduced by 25%, but you can still recover the remaining 75%. An insurer will often argue for a higher fault percentage to minimize a payout, which is one reason it helps to have a motorcycle crash attorney in Montana review your claim before you respond to an adjuster.

Does Not Wearing a Helmet Hurt My Claim?

Not wearing a helmet is legal for adult riders in Montana, but an insurer may argue it contributed to the severity of a head injury. This can reduce the non-economic portion of a claim depending on the circumstances. It doesn’t automatically bar recovery. It becomes a factor weighed against the at-fault driver’s negligence under the comparative fault rules.

What If the Police Report Gets the Facts Wrong?

A police report isn’t the final word. Inaccuracies can be challenged with witness statements, crash scene photographs, medical records, and accident reconstruction analysis. Don’t assume an unfavorable report closes the door on your claim. Additional evidence often tells a more complete story.

Should I Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

We strongly recommend against it before speaking with an attorney. Statements made early in the process, even casual or well-intentioned ones, can be used by adjusters to minimize the value of your claim. Let us handle that communication on your behalf so you don’t say anything an insurer can twist or take out of context.

How Does Hoyt & Blewett PLLC Charge for Motorcycle Crash Cases?

We work on a contingency basis, which means there are no out-of-pocket fees and no signing obligations when you meet with us. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free. Call us at (406) 233-1302 to talk through the merits of your case.

Your Case Is Our Mission

Get Started With Our Advocates Today

Have questions? Ready to get started? Call (406) 233-1302 today or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

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