Car accidents in Montana are often the result of a driver failing in some way to exercise due caution. Failure to yield, failure to maintain a lane and failure to slow for traffic are three very common causes of car accidents. When drivers fail in one of these respects, injuries often occur, and the victims are typically entitled to compensation under personal injury law.

A recent car accident near Billings has left both drivers injured, and the Montana Highway Patrol has cited one of the drivers for failing to yield. The collision occurred at the intersection of 48th Street West and Neibauer Road west of Billings. One lane of traffic was completely blocked for one of the streets, as fire department personnel and EMTs aided the injured drivers. One of the vehicles contained two children, but luckily neither was harmed.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the driver of one car was travelling northbound on 48th Street West and failed to yield to the other vehicle, which was headed eastbound on Neibauer Road.

Following the collision, the apparently at-fault driver was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries. A personal vehicle transported the other driver to the hospital for treatment.

While the injuries resulting from this accident were not thought to be serious or life-threatening, Montana residents know that many injuries at first appear minor but often develop into worse ailments. First, the pain amounts to a mere discomfort, but then the injury progresses over time, and the pain becomes constant.

In such cases, victims are likely entitled to compensation, and they would do well to keep track of all medical expenses related to the injury. A copy of the accident report is also important, especially when the other driver was found to be at fault for the crash.

Source: KTVQ, “Accident, slows traffic west of Billings,” April 23, 2012