Drunk Driver Accidents
DUI Accidents
Victims in DUI accidents quickly discover that criminal DUI charges against a drunk driver do nothing to recoup their own losses.
If you are the victim of a drunk driver, the DUI lawyers at Tipp Coburn Lockwood can help you seek financial compensation.
Established in 1959, our Missoula-based practice has helped thousands of Montana clients win justice and rebuild their lives.
Get The Legal Help You Need After A DUI Accident
Montana will bring criminal charges against the drunk driver in a DUI accident, but you are left on your own to seek compensation. After the crash, you are also likely facing car repairs or having to buy a replacement vehicle. Our DUI lawyers can help set things right by aggressively representing your interests with insurance companies or in a civil lawsuit. Our Missoula accident attorneys can:
Build A Case
You must still prove negligence and fault in a drunk driving accident. With six decades of experience and connections throughout the Missoula area and Montana, our accident attorneys will carefully document the evidence needed to win a civil case against a drunk driver.
DUI accident? We fight for your financial recovery.
Pursue Compensation
The personal injury attorneys at Tipp Coburn Lockwood can aggressively pursue a civil case or negotiate a settlement with an insurance company to recover the damages you deserve. This can include money to cover medical bills, lost wages, future earnings and emotional distress.
Seek Justice
While criminal charges hold a drunk driver to account, they fail to address the losses victims suffer when drunk driving leads to an accident, personal injuries, or a wrongful death. Our injury lawyers pick up where the state leaves off by seeking full compensation for your losses.
Lives Lost In Montana As A Result Of Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents take a terrible toll in Montana. Between 2009 and 2018, 786 people were killed in crashes where alcohol was involved. But the drunk driving statistics are even more disturbing when you see how Montana compares to the rest of the country. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics show:
Were You Injured By A Drunk Driver? Request A Free, No-Obligation Consultation.
While there’s some satisfaction in seeing the state punish a drunk driver, a criminal drunk driving case offers no financial relief to victims after a car accident.
That’s where the drunk driving accident lawyers at Tipp Coburn Lockwood can step in. We work to help victims in Montana drunk driving accidents get the compensation they deserve and move forward on a sound financial footing. If you’ve suffered an injury, we can document your losses, both past and future, so that you receive maximum compensation in a drunk driving case.
To understand your rights in a drunk driving accident, contact our drunk driving accident lawyers at Tipp Coburn Lockwood in Missoula to request a free, no-obligation consultation. You owe it to yourself and the people who depend on you to get a top attorney on your side. Leave us a message online or call:
60-Plus Years Winning Justice For Our Clients
Tipp Coburn Lockwood in Missoula has six decades of experience pursuing personal injury cases. Our lawyers have more than 63 years of combined legal experience, which gives them the hands-on knowledge, training, and creativity needed for exceptional legal guidance. We’re not afraid to take on challenging cases.
Noted Trial Lawyers
Our lawyers have been recognized for their excellence and integrity. Honors include admission to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only professional organization, and recognition as a Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys.
Professional Connections
Our long tenure in the state of Montana has allowed us to develop an extensive network of professional and legal connections. This allows our attorneys to work efficiently to gather information and get answers. We’re also familiar with judges and opposing legal teams, which gives us an edge in mapping a legal strategy.
Six-Figure Settlements
Our injury lawyers have won six-figure settlements for clients, helping them rebuild their lives after a car accident with a drunk driver. This can involve negotiating with a drunk driver’s insurer to get the maximum payout for an insurance policy or seeking compensation from an establishment that served the drunk driver.
We’re Here To Maximize Your Compensation
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Families of people killed by drunk drivers may also be able to recover damages for wrongful death, including:
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of guidance and support
- Lost value of wages and benefits
- Funeral and burial expenses
Criminal Vs. Civil DUI Accident Cases
While the state will criminally charge a drunk driver, victims need to bring a civil lawsuit to win compensation in a drunk driving case. Compare the criminal case to a civil lawsuit:
| Criminal DUI Cases | Civil DUI Cases | |
|---|---|---|
| Party Who Brings Suit | State | Injured Party |
| Goal | To punish a drunk driver and deter future conduct | To provide financial relief to a victim for damages |
| Burden of Proof | Rests on the State | Rests on the Injured Party |
| Standard of Proof | Beyond a Reasonable Doubt | A Preponderance of Evidence |
| Remedy | Punishment, such as fines, jail time, loss of liberties | Injured party receives financial compensation |
You Deserve Compensation: How Montana State Laws Can Impact Your Case
Even though you are the victim in a drunk driving accident, you face numerous obligations in an accident case. For starters, you need to report the accident to the police and meet the deadlines established by insurance companies to file a claim. The lawyers at Tipp Coburn Lockwood take care of the myriad of details that can trip you up, including addressing state laws that can impact your case such as:
Statute Of Limitations
Montana has a three-year deadline for filing most car accident injury lawsuits. This includes wrongful death claims. However, if you are filing a lawsuit for vehicle and property damage, you have only two years to file a lawsuit in an accident case. Statutes of limitations can vary depending on the circumstances in a case, so it’s important to talk with a qualified attorney to ensure you don’t miss a deadline and lose your right to file a lawsuit.
Shared Fault In An Accident
Montana uses a modified comparative fault rule. This means you receive financial recovery only when your level of fault is less than that of the other party or parties involved. If you are 50% at fault or more, you cannot collect damages. In addition, your degree of fault also reduces, by the same percentage, the damages you collect. If damages are $100,000, you would receive $80,000 if you were found 20% at fault.
Contact Tipp Coburn Lockwood
Our attorneys have been fighting for Montanans since 1959. Over the years, we have represented more than 7,500 clients and helped them recover millions of dollars in compensation. We are affiliated with renowned legal organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers and the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys, request a case review online or call us at 406-812-7634.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We represent clients facing both misdemeanors and felonies, including but not limited to:
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
- Drug offenses (possession, distribution, trafficking)
- Sex crimes (sexual assault, rape)
- Theft, burglary, and trespassing
- Assault and criminal endangerment
- Homicide and attempted homicide
A public defender is a court-appointed attorney for those who cannot afford a private lawyer and must meet certain income requirements. However, public defenders often have large caseloads, which can impact their availability and approach. A private criminal defense attorney offers personalized attention, tailored legal strategies, and greater availability.
Hiring a private defense attorney offers:
- Customized legal strategy
- Personalized service
- Strong communication
- A willingness to take your case to trial if necessary
- Focus on minimizing or avoiding serious penalties and a criminal record
Penalties vary by charge but may include:
- Jail time (up to 1 year for misdemeanors)
- Prison time (1 year or more for felonies)
- Fines
- Probation
- Loss of rights (e.g., firearm ownership, voting)
- Mandatory sex offender registration (for certain crimes)
Yes. A skilled defense attorney can build a strong case, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, negotiate plea deals, or fight for a dismissal—all of which can help prevent a conviction and keep your record clean.
Yes, we offer free initial consultations. Call us at 406-812-7634 or send us an email using our online contact form to schedule yours.
Our firm was founded in 1959 and has represented over 7,500 clients across Montana. We are affiliated with The National Trial Lawyers and the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Clients consistently highlight our:
- Professionalism and dedication
- Prompt case resolution
- Respectful and compassionate service
- Willingness to go the extra mile
Visit our testimonials section for more feedback from previous clients.
We are based in Missoula, Montana, and serve clients across the state.
To begin your defense, schedule your free consultation by calling 406-812-7634 or contacting us online.