Personal Injury Law in Cheyenne, WY

Were you hurt due to another’s negligence in Cheyenne? If so, it may have far-reaching consequences such as a loss of wages or extensive medical treatment. Personal injury law allows an injured person to get damages if the responsible person acted recklessly. A personal injury attorney in Cheyenne, WY can help navigate the lawsuit to make sure you receive all of the compensation you deserve.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law in Cheyenne relates to the legal process of getting compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. These cases involve one party, the plaintiff, trying to seek financial compensation for expenses incurred and money lost as a result of the defendant’s reckless behavior. These cases involve both parties’ insurance companies and may even settle before proceeding to litigation.

Examples of Personal Injury Claims in Cheyenne, WY

Some personal injury claims are more common than others. However, almost any incident that ends with a physical or mental injury could qualify, depending on the circumstances.

A few of the most common personal injury claims are:

• Car Accidents
• Slip and Fall
• Dog Bites
• Medical Malpractice
• Workplace Accidents
• Burn Injuries

Most Common Injuries in Cheyenne 

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services has found that per capita, Wyoming has one of the highest workplace injury problems in the nation. As well as fatality rates nearly three times the national average. A third of these accidents are from auto collisions while on the job. The others are made up of slip and falls, road hazards, improperly following security procedures, and negligent or distracted employees. These types of injuries can occur at work, in your personal life or on someone else’s property.

Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Cheyenne, WY

Once you determine that you wish to proceed forward with a personal injury action in Wyoming

A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on the defendant. The complaint alleges your assertion as the plaintiff that the defendant’s negligent behavior resulted in damage to your body or mental state. As the process proceeds forward, you may have to go through depositions, independent medical evaluations and document production. This discovery process is lengthy and ends in either settlement or a court appearance.

The majority of suits filed in Cheyenne end before ever going to trial. Keep in mind, in Wyoming when seeking personal injury damages, after the discovery process and deposition phase. It is common practice for the defendant’s attorney to request that you submit to a medical exam from a doctor of their choosing. This is to independently verify the severity of injuries. As well as develop a baseline for compensation.

Wyoming Personal Injury Settlement

With most personal injury cases, insurance companies and injured parties prefer settlement negotiations rather than going to court for a trial. You may wonder how much you should seek in your settlement and factors that impact the final amount.

Data from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses shows that Wyoming’s occupational injury rate is 3.4%. Most suits filed in Cheyenne are settled by an agreed settlement or a voluntary dismissal before they ever reach a courtroom. The settlement amount for a personal injury case in Cheyenne varies widely. Based on severity of injury, ability to work, pre-existing injuries, pre-injury wages, and any conflicting evidence that shows you may share fault at a substantial percentage.

If the other party has insurance, the insurance company likely wants to settle out of court to avoid leaving the final settlement decision to a jury. Settlements benefit injured parties as much as they do insurance companies. This is because accepting a settlement means you receive compensation sooner rather than later. Also, by going to court in WY, that means you risk not receiving any compensation at all.

Damage Awards in Wyoming

If your Wyoming personal injury lawsuit goes before a judge or jury, your legal team will be ready with a request for damages. In personal injury cases, there are three types of damage awards a court may order the defendant to pay. In order to compensate you for the damage he or she inflicted.

Special compensatory damages reimburse you for things such as lost income, medical bills and insurance deductibles. You submit receipts proving these losses.

General compensatory damages are subjective. If you receive special compensatory damages, you may also collect general damages. If your injury was particularly painful, you might request that the judge order the defendant compensate you for the pain and anguish.

Punitive damages are the most rare and are up to the court. The judge or jury may determine that the defendant’s negligence was particularly heinous and the resulting injury to you was equally horrific. 

Although Wyoming’s comparative negligence rules may limit the size of a settlement, there are no official or “hard” caps to damages that may be pursued or awarded.

Statute of Limitations in Cheyenne, WY Personal Injury Law?

The injured party may have a set amount of time to file suit for a personal injury case. State law establishes statutes of limitation. Commonly, the plaintiff’s injury or discovery of the injury begins the statute of limitations. However, the latter factor is trickier, as the plaintiff will have to prove when the injury was first realized.

The statute of limitations for a personal injury suit in Wyoming is four years from the date of the injury. However, if the claim is filed against the government, the statute of limitations is shortened to two years, and the suit must be filed at least one year from your notice of intent to sue.

We recommend you speak with a personal injury lawyer for this matter. Don’t wait too long and miss out on receiving the compensation you deserve for your injury. 

Work With an Experienced Cheyenne, WY Lawyer

Pursue a personal injury claim in Cheyenne against the responsible person if you are dealing with an injury caused by someone else. One of our experienced lawyers can help you navigate your personal injury claim. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Wyoming state lines.

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