Billings Personal Injury Law Blog

Montana residents, like people across the country, trust their doctor(s) to do what is best for them. They believe that while doctors cannot prevent accidents and injuries resulting in a hospital stay, they can and will treat their patients appropriately and the patients will leave the hospital in a much better condition than when they entered it. Such beliefs and trust are understandable, but unfortunately, they are not always warranted.

As reported in The Washington Post, medical errors have become the third leading cause of U.S. deaths. They may account for as many as 251,000 deaths every year, more than strokes, accidents, respiratory diseases and Alzheimer’s combined.

Montana bicyclists have a lot to worry about every time they're on the road. Many of these concerns derive from the fact that they and their bikes are difficult to see. At the Law Firm of Edmiston & Colton, we work to bring awareness to issues unique to bicyclists like you, and help those whose lack of visibility has caused harm.

As most drivers and bicyclists alike know, bikes are hard to spot on the road. They're small, don't take up much space, and bike riders can easily dart into a car's blind spot without either of you realizing the danger until it's too late. This is why bike awareness is important. It's the responsibility of drivers of larger cars to look out for you, since they're more protected. Drivers should always check before making lane changes and keep an eye on their blind spot.

Getting hit by another driver in Montana can be a terriying experience, especially if that driver does not stay around to make sure you are alright. You may be unsure about what to do next and how to ensure that you are following the law. We at the Law Firm of Edmiston and Colton have detailed the top tips to follow if you are involved in a hit-and-run.

The first thing you should do is ensure that you are not in danger of additional injury, states Infinity Auto. If possible, pull over to the side of the road. If your car is not drivable, you may need to put it in neutral and push it onto the shoulder. If you are unable to safely do this or your car is so badly damaged that it cannot be moved, make sure that you are in a safe place and try to signal oncoming traffic of the danger ahead. Be sure that any passengers are also okay and out of harm's way.

Anytime you take to a Montana roadway, you run the risk of travelling near large commercial trucks whose drivers just may need some serious sleep. Nowadays, truckers are often overtired for numerous reasons, but when they drive fatigued, they are endangering far more than just themselves.

Per GorillaSafety.com, today’s truckers are up against a unique set of circumstances and job conditions that make driver fatigue an unfortunate, but often regular, reality. Truckers are often under immense pressure to meet tight deadlines, and they often must log long hours to meet those deadlines, particularly if conditions such as traffic or inclement weather are present. Some truckers you encounter on the roadway receive pay based on the number of miles they cover, and this, too, leads some who drive for a living to push themselves to the brink of exhaustion.