North Billings Personal Injury Law Blog

Exploring every option concerning the family home in divorce

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Divorce on Saturday, March 23, 2019.

Upon making the decision to end a marriage, individuals in Montana and elsewhere may face a variety of difficult decisions, some of which could have a substantial impact on their future. For some, one of the most challenging decisions to make during divorce may pertain to how to handle the family home. Since there may be limited options available concerning the home, understanding each option fully could prove vital to making an informed decision.

Whether from years of living in a home, or in scenarios in which it rests in close proximity to all the necessary destinations, it might not be that difficult to become attached to the family home. However, those who wish to retain possession of the home could benefit from knowing the financial challenges that may accompany this decision. In addition to understanding the costs of maintaining the home, one may also find it helpful to consider whether he or she will be able to keep up with mortgage payments after transitioning to a one-person income.

Car accidents: Crash kills 1, leaves 1 with critical injuries

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Attempting to evade a traffic stop is never advisable and those who make such a decision may create an unfortunate scenario in the process. Drivers who encounter such negligence are often given insufficient time to avoid collision, and similar car accidents can have disastrous results. One person has died and another remains in critical condition following a recent head-on collision that took place in Montana.

Law enforcement agents advised that the accident took place on a recent Wednesday afternoon. According to reports, the incident began when an officer was almost struck by a vehicle that was traveling in the wrong lane of traffic. The officer turned around and began to follow the vehicle and states that the driver refused to comply with an attempt to initiate a traffic stop.

Car accidents: 20-car pileup leaves 1 with injuries in Montana

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

During times of winter weather conditions, most drivers exercise caution as they travel the open road. However, as conditions improve, some drivers quickly return to normal driving behaviors, even if the roads in the area are still somewhat slick. Similar circumstances may increase the risk of car accidents, and at least one person suffered injuries in a recent crash involving as many as 20 vehicles in Montana.

Law enforcement agents advised the incident took place on a recent Thursday night when the driver of a tractor-trailer suddenly lost control and crashed into the median. According to reports, one vehicle was attempting to maneuver around the truck when it was struck by a second vehicle. The initial crash prompted a chain reaction collision involving as many as 20 vehicles in total, some of which were forced into a nearby ditch.

Car accidents: The risk of reaching for an object while driving

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

There are a variety of forms of distractions that can divert a driver's attention of the road for seconds at a time. While cellphones and other electronic devices are commonly at the forefront of distracted driving discussions, these are not the only risks drivers in Montana can face. Recent studies indicate that something as simple as reaching for an object inside the vehicle while driving increases the risk of car accidents substantially.

Recent reports suggest that drivers who reach for an object while operating a motor vehicle are seven times more likely to be involved in a collision. While similar issues can affect drivers of any age, these studies indicate that this is of particular concern among teenage drivers. Researchers recently conducted a study involving just over 80 teenage drivers by equipping their vehicles with devices such as computers and video cameras and tracking the date over a recent one-year period.

Issues that contribute to the recent rise in gray divorce

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Divorce on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

There are a variety of scenarios in which married couples in Montana and elsewhere might consider taking separate paths in life. Many of these issues may affect couples of nearly every age group. However, there are certain concerns that are more prevalent among older couples, and studies suggest these forms of conflict have contributed to the recent rise in gray divorce.

Disagreements over finances can impact a relationship substantially. Although this can be an issue for couples of any age, those who are closing in on retirement could feel they have more on the line. Disputes over spending habits or disagreements pertaining to the management of marital finances can take a toll on a relationship. Debts can also be a major concern for older couples and periods of financial struggle could increase the likelihood of conflict in a marriage.

Car accidents: Commercial vehicle crash injures 1, kills 1

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Commercial vehicles are inherently larger and more difficult to maneuver than other vehicles. As such, drivers must use caution to adjust speed accordingly upon attempting to negotiate a sharp curve. Those who fail to do so may increase the risks that a dangerous incident will take place, and car accidents involving tractor-trailers can have devastating results. A recent crash in Montana left one person with serious injuries and claimed the life of another.

The incident is said to have taken place just after 5 p.m. on a recent Friday. According to initial investigations, the driver of a tractor-trailer was unable to slow down enough to navigate a curve in the road, and the vehicle subsequently crossed the median and struck a nearby guardrail. After overturning onto its side, the truck subsequently slammed into a nearby delivery vehicle.

Asset division and your ranch in a divorce

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP on Monday, February 25, 2019.

If you are deciding whether to file for a divorce in Montana, the financial implications of the divorce process may be a significant factor in your decision. The process of asset division needs to be completed before a divorce can become finalized, and this often involves selling the family home. If a ranch is part of your marital property, asset division can become even more complex.

If you want to know how Montana marital property laws will impact your ranch, it is important that you conduct through research on the law so that you can apply it to your individual situation. By foreseeing the potential challenges in the asset division process, you will be better equipped to handle the hurdles when you get to them.

Car accidents: Whiplash injuries may take time to develop

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Car Accidents on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

While being in a collision can be scary, those who leave the incident feeling relatively unscathed may consider themselves fortunate. However, while a person in Montana might not experience immediate pain or discomfort shortly after the crash, there are some injuries that take time to develop. Whiplash is one of the most common types of injuries suffered during car accidents, and one might not develop symptoms of these injuries for hours, or even days after the collision takes place.

While perhaps most common during rear-end accidents, whiplash injuries can stem from any incident that causes one's neck to move back-and-fourth in rapid succession. These injuries can cause various types of pain and suffering, including stiffness and neck pain, and they may even cause a person to develop headaches. Whiplash injuries can also lead to reduced range of motion in the head and neck and numbness in the extremities.

Divorce doesn't have to leave those involved with regrets

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Divorce on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

Going through the end of a marriage may rarely be an easy and stress-free experience. The outcome of a divorce can affect one's life in various ways, and it could also impact the lives of the kids as well. However, by seeking guidance from others on what they wish they knew before going through a divorce, individuals in Montana may be able to gain a better understanding of how to prepare for the process, as well as life thereafter.

Although dissolving a marriage can be a daunting experience, keeping emotions in check and approaching the process as a business deal could be beneficial in various ways. When thinking about divorce, some may view it as a life event that leaves both parties eager to be out of each other's lives. However, when kids are present, this might not always be an option, and finding ways to have a healthy relationship with the other parent could ultimately be in the best interests of the children.

Car accidents: Crash involving tractor-trailer injures 1

On behalf of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, PLLP posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.

One person was injured in a recent collision involving a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer that took place in Montana. Due to the increase in size and weight of many commercial vehicles, other vehicles stand little chance of holding their own should a collision occur. As such, car accidents involving these large vehicles have a higher chance of placing the safety of everyone involved at risk.

According to reports, the accident occurred on a recent Sunday morning when the driver of a tractor-trailer failed to stop at a red light. Upon entering the intersection, his vehicle proceeded to T-bone a nearby pickup truck. The impact of the crash also punched a hole in the gas tank of the tractor-trailer, which caused it to leak fuel onto the road.