If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Montana, time is not on your side, even if it feels like you have plenty of it.
Montana law strictly limits how long you have to file a car accident claim. Miss the deadline, and you may permanently lose your right to compensation, no matter how strong your case is.
Montana law gives most accident victims three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, although there can be shorter timelines in specific cases. This deadline is established under Montana Code Annotated § 27-2-204. Property-damage-only claims typically carry a shorter, two-year deadline.
There are limited exceptions, including cases involving minors, or injuries that were not immediately discoverable. These exceptions are narrow and highly fact-specific,
Even if you are technically within the statute of limitations, waiting can weaken your case. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to locate, and insurance companies gain leverage.
Insurance companies are well aware of filing deadlines and often delay negotiations strategically. Once the deadline passes, they are no longer required to negotiate at all.
Speaking with a Montana car accident lawyer early can help protect your rights, preserve evidence, and ensure your claim is filed properly and on time.
Montana Car Accident Claims: How Long Do You Really Have to File?
