MONTANA GUIDE 18

Crash Investigation & Evidence Preservation in Montana

Serious-crash claims depend on evidence that can disappear quickly. Vehicles are repaired or sold, electronic data can be overwritten, surveillance video can be erased, and witnesses become harder to locate.

  • Photograph vehicles, roadway conditions, signs, signals, and debris fields.
  • Preserve event-data-recorder and telematics evidence where available.
  • Send targeted preservation notices to vehicle owners, employers, insurers, repair facilities, and other custodians.
  • Collect 911, dispatch, body-camera, dash-camera, and nearby surveillance evidence.
  • Identify witnesses and record contact information promptly.

Evidence preservation should begin before liability positions harden and before damaged vehicles or digital records are lost.

Migration source: VictimsGuide Montana crash-investigation guide. Verify current Montana law and official authority before reliance.