Wyoming is home to several American landmarks. You'll find Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful, and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West here. You'll have to drive far to these fabulous tourist destinations.
Whether visiting Wyoming or living there full-time, you may get in a fender-bender. Thankfully, most car accidents are minor. The worst injury you may suffer is a bruise to your ego and wallet. But some car crashes are much more severe.
If the other driver caused the crash, you must file a claim with their insurance company. If the insurance adjuster refuses to pay your claim, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
Here, we'll discuss why so many Wyoming car accident cases settle out of court. We will also explain the car accident settlement process in Wyoming, including the timeline for these settlements.
If you still have questions about your car accident case, contact an experienced Wyoming car accident lawyer.
Do I Need to Report a Car Accident in Wyoming?
As of July 1, 2013, Wyoming law no longer requires drivers to report car accidents to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (DOT). But you must still notify law enforcement. The DOT will verify that you and the other driver carry the mandatory insurance coverage under state law.
If you don't have the requisite car insurance, you'll face stiff penalties. For example, the state may suspend your driver's license, and you may have to pay fines.
You should always call 911 immediately after your crash. This is especially true if someone suffers serious bodily injury or dies. If there is serious property damage, you should contact the police. An officer will come and investigate the scene and write an unbiased report that your car accident lawyer will use to prove fault in your car accident lawsuit.
Wyoming Car Insurance Laws
All drivers in Wyoming must carry a minimum amount of car insurance. This minimum amount of insurance is as follows:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury or death
- $20,000 per accident for property damage
Contact the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RIIA) for more information.
If the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance, you may have to file a claim with your uninsured motorist policy. The problem is that these policies often pay no more than $10,000, which may not even be enough to cover your immediate medical bills.
How Do Car Accident Settlements Work in Wyoming?
Car accident settlements are more common than people think. As long as you take the proper steps immediately after your car crash, there's a good chance you'll get compensation for your injuries. Of course, there's no guarantee that this will happen. It depends on which party caused the crash and the nature and extent of your bodily injuries.
Regardless of how minor your car accident is, you must do the following:
- Call 911 — The police will come to the scene and thoroughly investigate. The officer will put their findings into their police report. Your personal injury attorney will need this report to prove your case.
- Immediately notify the insurance company — If the other driver was at fault, file a claim with their insurance carrier. You must also inform your insurance company. They will confirm that your policy is in effect and covers your injuries. If the other driver caused the crash, you must confirm that the at-fault party has valid insurance.
- The insurance company will assign your claim to an adjuster or claims examiner — The adjuster, or claims examiner, will investigate your claim. If you're lucky, they'll pay it without question. If not, they may deny your claim or approve partial payment.
- Contact a car accident lawyer — If the insurance company denies your claim, contact a personal injury lawyer. They'll help appeal your claim. If this doesn't work, they'll file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver.
- Your attorney will try to negotiate a settlement — Ideally, your attorney will negotiate a settlement of your car accident claim. They'll push to get you the fair compensation you deserve. Your case will go to trial if the insurance adjuster refuses to settle.
Remember that even if your case is heading to trial, your attorney may still negotiate a settlement amount that covers your losses. Very few personal injury claims make it to trial.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Wyoming?
One of the first things accident victims ask their attorneys is how much their case is worth. It's impossible to answer this question. All car accident cases are different, and many factors impact your settlement amount.
Depending on the facts of your auto accident case, you may get the following types of damages:
- Medical expenses — You can demand reimbursement for any medical treatment related to the crash. Your attorney can submit copies of your medical records and bills to prove these damages.
- Future medical care — If you need future medical treatment, you can also demand compensation. For example, if you need future surgeries, you can demand damages to cover this care.
- Lost wages and income — If you miss time from work or can no longer work due to your car accident injuries, you may get compensation.
- Pain and suffering — These damages compensate accident victims for any physical and mental anguish they suffer due to the crash.
Your attorney will consider all these factors when negotiating your injury settlement.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Wyoming?
Under Wyoming law, an injured motorist must file suit within four years of the car accident date. This law is the statute of limitations, and it is in Wyoming Code 1-3-105.
If you miss the deadline, the court will dismiss your case, and you'll lose your chance to pursue the other driver for their negligence.
Negotiating a Car Accident Settlement? Talk to a Vermont Attorney First
Understanding the settlement process is very important whether in a fender bender or a multi-car collision. Your attorney will work hard to ensure the insurance company doesn't convince you to accept a low settlement offer.
Contact a Wyoming car accident attorney to schedule your free case evaluation.