Truck accidents can change your life in an instant. When an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle collides with a car or pickup, the results are often devastating. At Conner, Marr & Pinski, we’ve represented injured Montanans and their families for more than 50 years — helping them recover physically, emotionally, and financially after serious truck crashes.
We’re a local Great Falls law firm, not an out-of-state operation that hands your case off to someone else. When you work with us, you’ll meet directly with our attorneys and get honest advice about your options. If you were injured in a truck accident anywhere in Montana, call (406) 727-3550 for a free consultation.
Why Truck Accidents Are More Complicated Than Car Crashes
Truck accident cases aren’t just bigger versions of car accidents. They often involve multiple parties, federal trucking laws, and serious injuries that can last a lifetime. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 20–30 times more than a passenger car, meaning even a low-speed collision can cause catastrophic harm.
What makes these cases so complex is the network of companies involved — drivers, trucking companies, shippers, and maintenance contractors — all of whom may share responsibility. Our job is to find out who’s really at fault and hold them accountable.
Truck Safety Rules and How They Impact Your Case
Commercial trucks are heavily regulated by both federal and Montana law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for things like driver hours, truck maintenance, load limits, and safety inspections. When a company cuts corners or a driver ignores those limits, it can lead to tragedy.
Common violations we see include driver fatigue, falsified logbooks, unsafe braking systems, and poor vehicle maintenance. We’ll gather logbook data, electronic black box records, inspection reports, and witness statements to show exactly where the system failed.
Common Types of Trucks and Vehicles Involved in Montana Crashes
Not every truck accident involves an 18-wheeler on the interstate. We handle claims involving all kinds of commercial and industrial vehicles, including:
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Tractor-trailers and big rigs
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Delivery trucks and box trucks
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Tanker trucks and fuel haulers
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Logging and agricultural trucks
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Construction and dump trucks
Each vehicle type carries its own risks — from overloaded cargo to dangerous blind spots — and our attorneys know how to investigate each one thoroughly.
Leading Causes of Truck Accidents in Montana
Montana’s long stretches of highway, changing weather, and rugged terrain make truck travel challenging. Add long hours and tight delivery deadlines, and the potential for serious accidents increases. Some of the most common causes we see include distracted or fatigued driving, speeding on icy roads, and trucks that aren’t properly maintained. In many cases, it’s not just the driver who’s at fault — the trucking company may have created unsafe conditions by pressuring drivers to stay on the road longer than the law allows.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Montana Truck Crash
One of the toughest parts of a truck accident case is identifying every responsible party. Unlike most car accidents, truck crashes often involve multiple layers of liability. Depending on the evidence, we may pursue claims against:
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The truck driver, for negligent or reckless driving
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The trucking company, for unsafe schedules, poor maintenance, or bad hiring practices
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The cargo loading company, if the load was unbalanced or unsecured
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A parts or tire manufacturer, if a mechanical defect caused the wreck
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A maintenance contractor that failed to service the truck properly
Because of Montana’s comparative negligence law, you can still recover compensation even if you share some responsibility — as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Our attorneys know how to present the facts clearly so fault is placed where it belongs.
What You Should Do After a Truck Accident
After a wreck, your first step is always safety. Check yourself and your passengers, call 911, and get medical help. Don’t try to tough it out — even if you think you’re okay, truck crash injuries can show up later. Once you’re safe, take photos if you can — the vehicles, road, and anything that looks out of place. Get names, license plates, and insurance info from everyone involved. If there are witnesses, grab their contact info too.
And here’s the big one: don’t talk to the trucking company’s insurance rep until you’ve spoken to an experienced truck accident lawyer. They’ll call fast, often within hours, and their job is to minimize what they pay. Ours is to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Getting Compensation After a Truck Accident Injury
A serious truck accident doesn’t just cause physical pain — it can shake up every part of your life. You might be out of work, dealing with medical bills, and wondering how to keep up. That’s where we step in. You can recover money for things like:
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Medical bills and ongoing care
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Lost wages or future earning ability
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Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
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Vehicle damage
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Reduced quality of life
And if a loved one passed away from a truck crash, our firm helps families pursue wrongful death claims — covering funeral costs, lost income, and the deep personal loss that follows. We take the time to calculate every part of what you’ve lost, not just what’s easy to see on paper.
Deadlines to File a Truck Accident Claim in Montana
Every state sets limits on how long you have to file a claim. In Montana, most truck accident injury claims need to be filed within three years from the crash date. Property damage claims have a two-year limit, and wrongful death cases are usually three years from the date of passing. If the injured person is under 18, or if the injury wasn’t obvious right away, there are some exceptions — but it’s always better to get legal help early while the evidence is still fresh.
Why Montanans Choose Conner, Marr & Pinski
We’ve been serving Montanans since 1974 — and we still believe in doing things the right way: with honesty, hard work, and personal attention.
We’re based in Great Falls, not some out-of-state office that advertises everywhere. When you hire us, you get to know your lawyer, and we get to know you. We’ve helped clients across Montana take on massive trucking companies and win.
If you want lawyers who know Montana roads, Montana people, and Montana values — you just found them.
Call Our Great Falls Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash anywhere in Montana, contact us today. We’ll sit down, talk about what happened, and lay out your options. There’s no pressure and no cost to meet with us — and you don’t pay a dime unless we win for you. At Conner, Marr & Pinski, we don’t just handle cases — we take care of people. You just made the right choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Truck Accidents
Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident?
Yes. Trucking companies move fast to protect themselves, often before victims even leave the hospital. Having a lawyer means someone’s protecting you too.
How long will my case take?
Every case is different. Some settle in months; others take longer if insurance companies drag their feet. We’ll keep you updated the whole way.
What if I was partly to blame?
You can still get compensated as long as you were less than 50% at fault. We’ll fight to show the trucking company’s bigger share of responsibility.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, so you don’t pay unless we win.
