Montana’s Ridley Law and You

Imagine a person sitting in their car at a red light, patiently waiting for the green light to cross an intersection. As the light changes and they move across the intersection, another driver doesn’t stop for their red light, crashing into the first car. 

A crash like this could cause considerable damage, both to the drivers as well as their vehicles. This scene also seems to have a clearly responsible party in the person who ran the red light. So, what happens when the victim is hit with costly medical bills while the insurance companies work out a settlement?

That’s where the Ridley Law comes into play in Montana. 

Ridley Law

Montana is the only state with the Ridley Law, named for a state Supreme Court case. The law says that if liability in a case is reasonably clear, the insurance company needs to pay your medical expenses in advance. 

Refusal to do so is an act of bad faith, which can lead to an insurance company being sued. 

This all means that if you are injured in a crash that isn’t your fault, your insurance company can’t withhold payment for those medical services while they work out a settlement with the negligent party’s insurance company. 

Insurance Obligation 

Ridley Law application means you won’t be stuck paying for these medical bills and hoping your insurance company eventually pays you back. It’s based on the idea that you’ve paid for your insurance, so you should reasonably be able to expect service in return. 

Insurance companies are obligated but might also try to get out of paying out on claims. If this has happened to you or your loved one, our experienced attorneys are here to offer you the support you need to get the care and compensation you deserve. Call us at 406-541-2550 to set up an appointment today.