Great Falls, MT (September 30, 2024) – One person died, and another was injured in a two-vehicle crash near Belt on Saturday.
The collision involved a Chevrolet Equinox driven by an 84-year-old woman from Arizona and a Peterbilt truck driven by a 35-year-old man from Canada. According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the Chevy was westbound on Highway 331 approaching the corner with U.S. Highway 89, and the truck was southbound on Highway 89 when the incident took place at the intersection.
Both drivers were taken to Benefis Health System hospital in Great Falls, where the driver of the Chevy was declared dead. Her name has not been released at this point. However, no further details regarding the cause of the accident have been reported. An investigation is still ongoing in the interim.
We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased woman’s family. Our thoughts are extended to the injured victims and their loved ones at this time. We hope for their full recovery.
Semi-Truck Collisions in Montana
Catastrophic consequences often result when passenger vehicles and commercial trucks collide. Owing to the enormous size disparity between regular cars and big trucks, major injuries take place in even minor collisions involving these oversized vehicles. Because of this, federal safety requirements and state negligence laws also apply to commercial trucks.
That said, the length of time you have to submit a personal injury claim following an accident is limited by Montana law. Victims and their families must speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer as soon as they can to ensure that the important legal deadlines submit their claims. Examining your claim ensures that important evidence is preserved and witnesses’ recollections are still intact.
What’s more, if you were involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you should also:
- Get medical help right away. In any car or truck collision, injuries are often not easily visible. Your body goes into “fight-or-flight” mode after a stressful event, such as a truck collision. This sets off a series of stress chemicals, including adrenaline, which keep you from realizing how injured you are right away.
- Inform the police about the collision. In addition to recording the names and contact details of any witnesses, police will investigate the collision and compile a crash report that will assist in identifying the incident’s causes. Charges may also be suggested by police against a truck driver who, for instance, was operating a vehicle recklessly or while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
- Take pictures. If you are able, try to get pictures of the accident site from several perspectives. Ask someone to take images for you if your injuries prevent you from doing so. These may support your attorney’s case-building efforts.
Finally, it’s essential to get in touch with your insurance company and a skilled truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Holloway & Hulling, our exceptional ability to advocate for your best interests is directly dependent on our extensive history of serving injured victims and their families with compassion during the most difficult periods of their lives, as well as our comprehensive understanding of personal injury laws.
If a car accident has occurred through no fault of your own and left you with injuries, please get in touch with our personal injury attorneys right away. Contact our Great Falls truck accident lawyers immediately at (406) 880-7424 to learn more about how we can help you and your family today.
Notes: Our team collects data on accidents in Montana from multiple external sources such as news outlets, police records, social media, and direct accounts from witnesses. We have not independently verified the specifics of this particular incident. Should you encounter any discrepancies in our content, please contact Holloway & Hulling. We will make necessary corrections or remove the information promptly.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended for business solicitation. Please be aware that the information shared here should not be considered legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. Legal results can differ based on individual circumstances. For tailored legal guidance, directly reach out to Holloway & Hulling. Additionally, the image featured in this post does not depict the actual accident scene.