How Much is Your Claim Worth?
How Much is Your Claim Worth?
Nobody plans on getting into a car crash, but a collision can happen at any time. For this reason, it’s important to understand the laws that apply if you’re involved in an accident in Montana.
In this post, we’ll provide an overview of Montana’s car accident laws, including your legal obligations after an accident. You can also read Chapter 7 of the Montana Motor Vehicles Code for more information.
Under Montana law, if you are involved in an accident, you must stop your vehicle immediately and exchange information with the other driver. This includes your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You must also show your driver’s license to the other driver if they ask to see it.
The driver of any vehicle that has been in an accident shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of 61-7-105. Each stop at the scene of the accident must be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver of any vehicle required to stop pursuant to 61-7-103 shall give the driver’s name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle the driver is driving and shall upon request and if available show a driver’s license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with.
In Montana, when you get into a car crash, you must render aid to anyone who gets hurt. This includes providing or arranging for transportation to a hospital if an injured person asks to go or if it’s obvious that they need medical treatment.
The driver of any vehicle required to stop shall render to any person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including the transporting or the making of arrangements for the transporting of the person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that the treatment is necessary or if transportation is requested by the injured person.
According to Montana law, if you are involved in an accident that results in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more, you must notify the local authorities as soon as possible and wait at the scene of the crash until a police officer gives you permission to leave.
If the accident is not investigated by a police officer, you must also submit a written report to the Montana Department of Justice within 10 days.
The driver of any vehicle required to stop pursuant to 61-7-103 shall if any person in the accident is injured, deceased, or otherwise incapacitated or if notice is required pursuant to 61-7-108, remain at the scene of the accident until an on-duty peace officer with authority to investigate the accident gives the driver express permission to leave.
This does not apply when the driver reasonably believes it is necessary to leave the scene in order to seek emergency medical care for any person involved in the accident or to give notice to authorities pursuant to 61-7-108.
The driver of a vehicle who has been involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or property damage to an extent of $1,000 or more shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the accident to the local police.
The operator of a motor vehicle that is involved in an accident in which a person is killed or injured or in which damage to the property of a person in excess of $1,000 is sustained shall, within 10 days after the accident, report the matter in writing to the department unless the accident was investigated and reported by a law enforcement officer.
Failing to report an accident in Montana is a misdemeanor offense. If convicted, you face a fine of $200 to $300 and up to 20 days in jail for a first offense. However, if you are convicted of three violations within a year, the maximum penalty increases to a $500 fine and 6 months in jail.
A person violating any provision of 61-7-105 through 61-7-110 is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon a first conviction, the offender shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 or more than $300 or by imprisonment for not more than 20 days.
For a second conviction within 1 year of the first conviction, the offender shall be punished by a fine of not less than $300 or more than $400, by imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.
Upon a third or subsequent conviction within 1 year of the first conviction, an offender shall be punished by a fine of not less than $400 or more than $500, by imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.
If you get into a car accident in Montana, you are required by law to stop your vehicle, regardless of whether or not anyone is injured. You then must exchange information with the other driver and report the accident to the police if the crash caused more than $1,000 in property damage.
The driver of any vehicle that has been in an accident shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of 61-7-105. Each stop at the scene of the accident must be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver of any vehicle required to stop pursuant to 61-7-103 shall give the driver’s name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle the driver is driving and shall upon request and if available show a driver’s license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with.
When you hit a parked car in Montana, the law requires you to stop immediately at the scene. You then must either find the owner or leave a note somewhere the car’s owner will find it.
No matter which method you choose, you must inform the owner of your name and address, as well as the name and address of the person who owns the car you were driving if it’s not yours.
The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the operator or owner of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle or shall leave in a conspicuous place a written notice giving the name and address and a statement of the circumstances thereof.
Although car crashes are never planned, it’s important to know Montana law and what steps to take after an accident occurs. By understanding your legal obligations, you can minimize the negative effects of an accident and protect yourself from criminal penalties.
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