Western Montana sees multiple crashes due to winter weather

Although people in Montana are familiar with snow, ice and other winter weather conditions, not everyone in the state takes the roadway hazards these conditions can create as seriously as they should, and accidents can result. Due to storms that passed through the area approximately a week and a half ago, emergency crews in western Montana have had their hands full with a number of crashes that have caused either partial or complete highway closings on a temporary basis.

Several of these crashes occurred along Interstate 90. In the Bonner area, near mile marker 110, there was an accident with injuries late last Wednesday morning that blocked one of the eastbound lanes, prompting the issuance of a MEANS alert throughout Missoula County. At about the same time, though further west near mile marker 90, a one-vehicle crash also necessitated the closure of one lane of the interstate. A jackknifed semi truck blocked the left lane 3 1/2 miles west of St. Regis, and there were also crashes reported at mile markers 27, 37, 50, 99 and 105. 

However, the accidents were not confined to the interstate. Though details are not available, it is known that there was a crash in the Ronan area on Round Butte Road near mile marker 3. On U.S. Highway 93, five miles north of Dayton in Lake County, a semi-truck slid off the road. A head-on collision approximately 20 miles west of Kalispell blocked U.S. Highway 2, according to state officials, and another wreck on U.S. Highway 93, this time between Missoula and Lolo, blocked the northbound lanes, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Details enumerating how many people these crashes involved are not available. Unfortunately, the ones who fail to pay attention to winter road conditions, or to take them seriously, are not necessarily the ones who pay the price. For this reason, those injured in winter car accidents may find it helpful to consult an attorney.