Auto Accident Injury in Cheyenne, WY

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Cheyenne? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Cheyenne, WY that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Cheyenne, Wyoming

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The 2018 data from the National Highway Transportation Administration reports that Wyoming has a five-year average of about 380 serious injuries in traffic accidents per year. 

Additionally, the Casper Tribune cites preliminary numbers from the Wyoming Highway Patrol to identify a recent uptick in the number of fatal car accidents in the Cowboy State. In 2019, 147 individuals died in traffic accidents on state roadways. This number represents a drastic increase of more than a third over the previous year. Laramie County, home to Cheyenne, accounted for most of the traffic fatalities in 2019.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. 

After reporting a car accident to law enforcement, you may request a copy of the incident report from either the Cheyenne Police Department or the Wyoming Highway Patrol. If your accident caused less than $1,000 in property damage and resulted in no injuries, you may use the Cheyenne Police Department’s online report request. A printed or faxed report usually costs $5, although an emailed report is often free. For reports of other accidents, you must contact the Wyoming Highway Patrol. The cost for a regular report with the highway patrol is typically $3.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Despite its sparse population, Wyoming pays a considerable cost for accident fatalities and injuries. According to a 2018 estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical bills from car accidents totaled more than $1 million. When adding in lost work, the economic impact of crashes in the Cowboy State is nearly $130 million.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Wyoming

Liability Laws for Cheyenne

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. Because Wyoming is a no-fault state, the responsible driver or their insurer typically pays for any damages that stem from the wreck. If you must file a legal cause of action, you also must comply with Wyoming’s comparative fault statute. This statute permits recovery of financial damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident.

Statute of Limitations in Cheyenne

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Wyoming has a statute of limitations of four years for both car accident injuries and property damage.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Cheyenne, WY

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Wyoming!