Most people know Montana for the views, natural areas and wide-open spaces, making this a top destination for adventure travel. But when you fall off the horse at the dude ranch, experience a malfunction with rental equipment or find yourself in a sticky situation with a tour company that leads to injury, it can be hard to know what to do next if you’re only visiting.
If you get injured while traveling outside your home state, the process for filing a personal injury lawsuit is a bit more complicated. In most cases, you'll need to file a suit in the state you were injured in, meaning you'll need a lawyer who is licensed to practice law in that state. Plus, a lawyer who practices in the state where you were injured will have a better understanding of the local laws, giving you a leg up in your case.
What are some of the incidents you might find yourself involved in while you’re visiting Montana? Here are a few to be aware of.
When visiting Montana, it’s pretty common to rent gear. It’s tough to bring all your own gear with you, especially when you fly in. But as with any outdoor gear you use, there can be risks involved.
That might look like skis with a binding that breaks while you’re tearing down the mountain, a snowmobile that has an engine malfunction while you’re deep in the backcountry, or a poorly maintained boat that springs a leak while you’re in the middle of the lake. When injury results from poor maintenance or malfunction, the rental company could be responsible.
Many people pick tour companies because of the element of safety that comes from not having to drive or navigate on your own. But crashes can happen even when a pro is driving the tour bus, safety equipment can fail, and operators can be negligent. Between medical costs, pain and suffering, and trip disruption, there are multiple ways you could be affected, from inconvenience to injury.
When this causes injury, it can be bad news for you and your loved ones as you try to sort out logistics in an unfamiliar place. Fortunately, local legal counsel can be a solid resource to help you deal with the aftermath.
Montana’s known for natural beauty, but with the snow-capped peaks come snow-covered roads in winter. Finding fault in a car crash caused by ice or snow can be less straightforward than in other kinds of collisions. This is especially true when multiple vehicles are involved, and poor visibility might make it hard to tell exactly what went down in the moment. What if livestock is in the mix? And with dangerous road conditions leading to more harmful crashes with worse injuries, determining fault and finding justice can be an important part of paying for medical care.
When you find yourself injured on a visit to Montana, don’t leave yourself to wonder who is responsible. Skilled local legal counsel with Cok Kinzler can give you an inside look at the area and its legal system. Get in touch for your free consultation.
