When people sustain serious injuries as a result of motor vehicle accidents, it can be devastating. They often wonder who is going to pay their medical bills and how will they support their families during the time they are recovering. At Hohenlohe, Jones, PLLP we can offer critical advice in preserving evidence and preparing your case.

By working with experienced car accident lawyers, victims can have some control and participation in ensuring that their rights and interests are protected.

Under Montana's laws, if you have been injured in a vehicle accident that was caused by another person's negligence,  carelessness or recklessness, you may be entitled to recover damages that include medical costs, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please call the lawyers at Hohenlohe, Jones, PLLP for a free assessment of your case. Our offices are centrally located in Helena, Montana which allows us to serve anyone in the entire state of Montana.

You should be thoroughly examined by a doctor, since seemingly minor injuries often develop into major health problems. Even if you do not have any broken bones, cuts, lacerations or bruises, you may have sustained a connective- tissue injury; which could lead to long term adverse effects if left untreated. The at-fault party's insurance company is responsible for paying for all of your damages that were a result of the accident.

Accident victims and the families of those who have died in traffic-related accidents face a challenging situation that is further complicated by complex insurance laws and legal issues. As a business, insurance companies are primarily concerned with limiting their payout and your needs are secondary. While the insurance company may present what you think is an attractive settlement offer, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney who will put your needs before the insurance company interests. It is always best to discuss your situation with a skilled attorney before you decide to enter into discussions with an insurance representative.

The Law Offices of Hohenlohe, Jones, PLLP has years of experience in dealing with insurance companies and handling accident claims. We are familiar with all of the techniques that the insurance companies may use to influence you to settle quickly and for less compensation. Insurance companies have a team of investigators, adjustors, agents and legal help to protect them. As the accident victim, you need your own team of legal experts to protect you.

Recoverable damages associated with car crashes vary from state to state. Montana automobile accident victims and survivors may sue for damages from the operator(s) of the other motor vehicle(s) for all related losses and injury including, though not limited, to the following:

• The victim has died,
• The victim suffers a permanent and serious disfigurement,
• A bone is fractured,
• The loss of one of the senses such as sight, taste, hearing or smell,
• A limb has been lost,
• Medical expenses,
• Physical therapy expenses,
• Chiropractic expenses,
• Lost wages, salary, benefits, business profits, etc.
• If the person responsible for your injuries does not have insurance coverage or their coverage does not sufficiently provide for your damages, you may be entitled to collect uninsurance or underinsurance.

Most automobile accident litigations in Montana are civil actions against someone who is negligent. In automobile mishaps, negligence is the failure of a vehicle operator to exercise due care which resulted in an accident, injury or death. Although it is a difficult allegation to prove, our lawyers are experienced in demonstrating negligence by preparing the proper documentation, interviewing witnesses and presenting a case that meets the criteria for negligence established by Montana law. If the accident was caused by a vehicle defect, you may also be eligible to receive damages from the manufacturer and/or supplier.

Because of the complexities involved in automobile accident cases, it is important that you act quickly and contact an attorney with any questions or issues. Proving negligence takes an investment of time, experience, and resources - advantages that only a qualified attorney can provide. At Hohenlohe, Jones PLLP, our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through team work and the use of our considerable resources and experience. Whether we're gathering evidence, giving advice, or talking with insurance companies, we are always your representative.

Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through team work and the use of our considerable resources and experience. For a free consultation regarding your legal concerns,  contact us today for a free consultation or call us at 406-443-4601.

The most frequently asked questions from people who have been injured and are looking for an attorney:

Disclaimer:  The information provided is generic in nature and does not constitute legal advice.  In addition, an Attorney-Client relationship is not created by viewing this information.

Please Note: The information on this page refers to personal injury matters and does not always apply to other types of legal matters.


1.Why do I need an attorney?

A few of the many reasons to retain an attorney include:

(1) To ensure that you do not lose your right to a cash judgment, or to sue, because of missing a statute of limitation.  To make sure that you keep every right to sue the person(s) or business(es) responsible for your injury.

(2) To ensure that an insurance adjuster does not take advantage of you.  If you are not represented by an attorney, insurance companies often will not offer you adequate compensation.  To ensure that you receive full compensation for your injuries.  

(3) To ensure that you obtain money for all of your past and future expenses, including, among other things, medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering (which may require a retained medical expert’s testimony).  To pursue recovery of all your damages.  It is important that you be adequately compensated for your personal injury.


2. If I do retain an attorney, what should I expect?

(1) Do not expect to pay your personal injury attorney until after your case has resolved. The personal injury cases at Hohenlohe, Jones, PLLP, are handled on a contingent fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney fees unless your case is resolved.

(2) You should expect your attorney to work immediately on your case.

(3) You should expect to deal with your attorney directly, either by phone or in person.  Attorneys should always promptly return calls from clients to  If you call our office and the attorneys are at the courthouse or meeting with other attorneys, we will promptly return your call and provide case updates to you.

(4) To receive an assessment of your case’s value when your injuries and expenses can be fully assessed.  Usually, that is after treatment with a doctor has concluded.  Your attorney should continually contact your treating physicians for treatment updates.

(5) That your case will not be settled without your approval.  Your atorney should discuss every settlement offer with you.  Only after your approval has been secured will we settle a case.

 

  

3. How much do you charge to review a case?

At Hohenlohe, Jones, PLLP, an initial appointment to discuss the facts of a potential case is free.  If the case appears to have merit, we will advance the costs necessary to investigate and prosecute the claim.  In the event we undertake formal representation, any costs advanced are reimbursed to your attorney at the time your settlement is disbursed, assuming we are able to make a recovery on your behalf.  Additionally, your attorney will charge a contingency fee paid at the conclusion of your case.

 

4. What is a contingency fee?

A contingency fee is a legal fee that is dependent upon the successful outcome of a claim. Most attorneys use a contingency fee agreement in personal injury claims because injured clients often cannot afford to pay an attorney for service rendered on an hourly basis.  The attorney will agree to take a certain percentage of the settlement from which the attorney's fees are paid.  If there is no recovery, we receive no fee.  Contingency fee agreements must be in writing signed by both the attorney and the client.

5. How often should I expect the attorney to contact me?

From the beginning of the case, communication between the attorney and client is important. It is important to remember that each case is different and the frequency of contact may vary depending on each case’s particular circumstances.  For example, if we have to retain an expert, such as an Accident Reconstructionist, Private Investigator, or other expert, for your personal injury case, that expert’s findings can be given to you only after a report has been received, which may take a few weeks.

At Hohenlohe, Jones, PLLP, we welcome all telephone calls from our clients.  We understand that you may have questions about your case, or the legal processes involved with your personal injury case.  We assist all of our clients with any questions or concerns they might have during the duration of their case.  During the initial consultation with any personal injury attorney, we encourage you to discuss how often you can expect to hear from them.


6. What are the costs that I have to pay?

Personal injury case costs are normally paid by the attorney’s law firm and will be reimbursed by the client at the time of settlement.  Hohenlohe, Jones, PLLP, includes in its contingent fee contract for personal injury cases a provision stating that we will advance the costs in your case.  You do not have to worry about the costs of pursuing your case, such as court filing fees, costs of investigation, or hiring a medical expert.

The cost of pursuing a case varies depending on its stage of settlement.  The initial costs of pursuing a case can be rather minimal.  Some cases require a lawsuit to be filed or expert testimony to settle.  The costs of investigation, hiring an engineer, filing documents with the court, and obtaining medical reports can add up.  If trial is required to settle your case, the cost can significantly increase.  A trial often requires the retaining of experts, advancing fees for the testimony of expert witnesses, and increased court fees.  By the time of trial, a case will have been closely studied and the possibilities for success discussed with the client.  It is important that every client know the potential costs if their case goes to trial.  By the time a case is set for trial in District Court, it should be a consideration to any client and discussed openly with your attorney.


7. What is my case worth?

The value of a personal injury case is not a question that can be answered at the first visit to an attorney’s office.  At Hohenlohe, Jones, PLLP, we assess the value of a personal injury case only after we have obtained all the relevant medical information (including, among other things, a current prognosis, past and future medical expenses incurred, and any impairment to earning capacity), as well as information regarding loss of income (including past and future lost salary, wages, and profits).  Additionally, the opinions of various experts, such as medical experts and economists, may be required to determine the total value of a case.

There is no formula or standardized method for evaluating the likely settlement value or jury verdict potential in a given case.  Case value is case-specific.  It depends upon factors including liability, nature and extent of injuries, nature and extent of permanent disability, economic losses (including lost wages and medical bills), disfigurement, embarrassment, and many other considerations.  While we can make general predications based upon results in trials and settlements of similar cases, no precise method exists for predicting how much an injured individual will recover in a given case.


8. Do I have to settle my case before the Statute of Limitations runs?

In Montana, the statute of limitations for most types of personal injury actions is three years.  For other types of legal actions, such as Workers' Compensation claims, there may be much shorter time limits.  A case does not have to settle before the statute of limitations, but the lawsuit must be filed within the applicable time period.  Due to the different statutes for different types of case, always consult with an attorney to ensure that you do not lose the right to compensation because of a missed deadline.

9. Will my case go to trial?

The majority of personal injury claims settle before trial.  In fact, statewide, approximately nine out of ten cases settle without court or jury trial.  However, because we cannot predict whether or not a case will settle without trial, our attorneys prepare all cases in the same way, assuming that if a reasonable and fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take the matter to trial on behalf of our clients.


10. What if I was hurt at work?

If you are hurt at work, you are generally entitled to the benefits of Workers' Compensation insurance.  In addition to Workers' Compensation, you might also have the right to bring an action against someone other than your employer.  These are called "third party cases."  Prompt investigation of third party cases is critical.  If you were hurt at work and you believe it was the fault of someone other than your employer, it is critical that prompt investigation be undertaken to secure evidence, identify witnesses, and determine whether sufficient facts exist to justify a claim against another person or entity.

 

The information provided here is generic in nature and does not constitute legal advice. In addition, an Attorney-Client relationship is not created by viewing this information.

To protect your legal rights following severe injury or wrongful death resulting from an accident, it is wise to immediately consult with an experienced attorney.