CHEYENNE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
Injured in a Car Crash in Laramie County? Our Cheyenne Auto Accident Attorneys Can Help
At Freeburg Law, our Cheyenne car accident attorneys are experienced, results-centered advocates for victims and their family members. Our law firm is committed to providing personalized legal representation to each and every client. If you or someone who is close to you was hurt in a crash in Laramie County, we are here to help. To set up a no cost, strictly private consultation with a top Wyoming auto accident lawyer, please do not delay in contacting us today.
What to Do After a Car Crash in Cheyenne, WY
Car crashes remain a leading cause of accidental injuries in our region. According to data collected and published by the Wyoming Department of Transportation, there were 1,580 motor vehicle collisions reported in the City of Cheyenne in 2020 alone. Altogether, these accidents resulted in 359 confirmed injuries and 8 fatalities. There were approximately 400 additional car accidents reported in other communities in Laramie County. Even the safest and most attentive of drivers should still be prepared for the risk of an accident. A car wreck can happen when you least expect it—and it can turn your entire life upside down in a matter of seconds. Here are three steps to take after a car accident in Cheyenne:
- See a Doctor: All car accident injuries should be evaluated by a qualified physician. Emergency medical needs take precedence over everything else. Not only do you need to see a doctor for your own welfare, you must seek medical attention to be eligible to bring a claim.
- Report and Document the Crash: Serious car accidents should be reported to state or local law enforcement, such as the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Cheyenne Police Department, or the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, try to document the crash. Take photographs, get witness contact information, and gather any other relevant details.
- Consult With a Cheyenne Car Accident Attorney: You cannot rely on insurers for guidance with the claims process. You should consult with an experienced Cheyenne personal injury lawyer before making a statement to an insurance company representative.
Your Guide to the Wyoming Car Accident Laws
Were you hurt in a crash in Cheyenne? Your claim will generally be governed by Wyoming state law. It is crucial that you understand your rights and responsibilities under the law. Some of the most important things to know about the Wyoming car accident laws include:
- Collisions Should Be Reported: All major car crashes should be reported in a timely manner. Under state law (Wyoming Statutes § 31-5-110), a traffic collision should be reported to police if anyone was hurt or there was greater than $1,000 in property damage. The official police report serves as an important form of documentation in a car accident case.
- Liability is Based on Fault: Wyoming is an at-fault car accident jurisdiction. The driver, truck company, vehicle manufacturer, road maintenance crew, or any other party deemed responsible for causing a crash in Cheyenne can be held liable for any consequential damages. Fault arises based on negligence—which is defined as the failure to exercise reasonable care. All collisions in Laramie County should be investigated by an experienced Wyoming personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will help you gather the evidence needed to prove fault.
- Modified Comparative Negligence: Auto accidents can be complicated. It is not uncommon for multiple parties to bear liability for the same underlying crash. Wyoming uses a modified comparative negligence standard to sort out liability in these cases. Each party to a crash will be held liable for their proportionate share of the fault. If you are blamed for a portion of your own accident, your settlement or judgment can be reduced by a proportionate amount.
- Four-Year Statute of Limitations: You have a limited amount of time to bring a car accident injury claim in Laramie County. Under Wyoming law, most car accident claims are subject to a four-year statute of limitations. Some claims, however, are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. There is no reason to wait to get started with the legal claim process. Consult with a Cheyenne, WY car accident attorney before you make a statement to an insurance adjuster.
We Will Maximize Your Maximize Your Compensation After a Crash
Following a serious motor vehicle collision, you need money to pay your bills. Wyoming allows injured victims to hold the at-fault party liable for the complete extent of their damages, including monetary and non-monetary losses. Insurance companies do not always make it easy for people to get the money that they deserve. At Freeburg Law, our Cheyenne car accident attorneys hold insurance companies accountable for paying claims. You may be in a position to recover financial relief for the following types of damages:
- Automobile repairs;
- Emergency room treatment;
- Health care bills;
- Physical therapy;
- Mental counseling;
- Lost wages;
- Diminished earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Disfigurement;
- Disability; and
- Wrongful death.
How the Cheyenne Car Accident Lawyers at Freeburg Law Can Help
The car accident injury claims process is complicated. It is normal to be stressed out, confused, and tired after a crash. At Freeburg Law, we are here to help people navigate every stage of the personal injury process. When you get in touch with our legal team, you will have a chance to consult with a Cheyenne car accident attorney who is prepared to:
- Hear your story and explain your rights;
- Investigate the accident, gathering evidence;
- Represent you in settlement talks with insurers; and
- Take action to help you secure the best outcome.
Cheyenne Car Accident FAQs
At Freeburg Law, LLC, we receive many different types of questions from parties who have sustained injuries in motor vehicle collisions in and around Cheynne, and we want to provide you with answers to some of the most common inquiries. The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about car accidents and claims in Wyoming.
Q: What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Cheyenne?A: There are many different steps you should take after a car accident in Cheyenne, Wyoming. You should document the scene as best as you can by taking photographs and taking notes about the collision. You should also be sure to obtain contact information for anyone involved in the accident, as well as for any parties who may have witnessed the crash. You should also make sure to get insurance information for any other motorists involved in the crash. It is also important to seek a medical assessment regardless of whether you have obvious signs or symptoms of an injury, and to report the accident to your own auto insurer.
Q: Do I Need to See a Doctor If I Do Not Think I Have Serious Injuries?A: Even if you do not think you have suffered a serious injury, you should get a medical assessment. According to the Mayo Clinic, many kinds of injuries that a person can sustain in a car accident might not result in immediate signs. Some of those injuries are more serious than others, and they can worsen without appropriate and timely treatment. As such, you should get assessed by your healthcare provider as soon as you can.
Q: Should I File an Auto Insurance Claim or a Car Accident Lawsuit?A: Most claims for compensation begin with an auto insurance claim. Then, if you are unable to obtain full compensation for your losses through the insurance claim, you may be able to file a car accident lawsuit.
Q: Do I Need to Report the Car Accident?A: If the accident was serious and resulted in any kind of injury, or if anyone sustained more than $1,000 in property damage, Wyoming law requires that the injury be reported. If anyone is injured at the scene of the accident, you should call 911. While Wyoming law does not require you to call the police to the scene of the accident for a minor crash, it is usually a good idea to call the police even if it does not seem as though anyone has sustained an injury. It could turn out that symptoms of your injury did not appear for hours or days, and you will want to have a police report from the crash to help with your car accident claim.
Q: Should I File My Auto Insurance Claim through My Own Auto Insurer or through the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance?A: There are pros and cons to first-party claims (those filed through your own insurer) and third-party claims (those filed through the at-fault driver’s insurance company). With a first-party claim, you can often have the claim resolved more quickly, but you will be responsible for paying your deductible up front. With a third-party claim, the process can take more time and your settlement offer may be small due to insurance limits when multiple parties have sustained damages, but you will not have to pay a deductible up front.
Q: What Should I Do If the Other Driver Was Uninsured?A: Uninsured motorist coverage is not required in Wyoming, but if you selected this coverage, you can file an uninsured motorist claim through your coverage. Your auto insurer may still be able to provide you with some compensation if you file a first-party claim even if you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, and you also may be able to file a lawsuit against a party other than the motorist since an uninsured motorist is unlikely to be able to pay damages.
Q: Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?A: You should never accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer, and you should know that settlement offers are negotiable. Our Wyoming personal injury lawyers can help you to negotiate a fair settlement.
Q: How Much Time Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?A: Wyoming law requires that most car accident lawsuits be filed within four years, although some claims must be filed in a shorter amount of time.
Q: Can I Still File a Lawsuit If I Think I Am Partially At Fault for the Accident?A: Yes. Under Wyoming’s modified comparative fault law, you can recover damages as long as you are not 51 percent or more at fault for the accident (at which point you will be barred from recovery). If you are 50 percent or less at fault, you can still recover damages from the at-fault driver, but your recovery will be reduced by your portion of fault. For example, if the court awards you $100,000 but you are determined to be 10 percent at fault, your damages award would be reduced by 10 percent (or $10,000 in this example), and you would recover $90,000.
Q: Who Can I Sue for My Car Accident Injuries?A: The party or parties responsible for injuries in a car accident will depend upon the facts of the case. Common parties who are sued in car accident lawsuits include but are not limited to the following:
- Driver whose negligence resulted in the crash;
- Owner of a vehicle involved in the crash;
- Mechanic who performed negligent maintenance on one of the vehicles involved in the crash;
- Employer of the negligent motorist;
- Property or premises owner where the accident occurred; or
- Designer, manufacturer, or retailer of a defective vehicle or one of its parts.
A: It is important to have an experienced Cheyenne auto accident lawyer on your side to assist you with all aspects of the car crash claims process, from filing an auto insurance claim and negotiating a fair settlement to filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Contact Our Cheyenne Auto Accident Attorney Today
At Freeburg Law, our Cheyenne car accident lawyers have the professional skills and legal knowledge to hold defendants and insurers accountable for paying claims. If you or your loved one was hurt in a traffic collision, we can help. Give us a call now or send us a message to schedule your free, no strings attached consultation. We provide car accident injury representation throughout Laramie County, including in Cheyenne, Pine Bluffs, Fox Farm-College, Ranchettes, and South Greeley.