4 Common Causes of Wyoming Car Accidents and How to Seek Compensation

A Wyoming car accident can happen suddenly and leave victims with serious injuries and hefty hospital bills. The state’s vast open roads and scenic landscapes present unique challenges for drivers, so it’s a good idea to understand some of the more common causes of car accidents in Wyoming.

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of car accidents, both in Wyoming and across the United States. Texting, changing the radio, talking to passengers, and other distractions pull drivers’ attention away from the road — and it only takes a second of looking away for an accident to happen.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022 across the nation. Wyoming's wide open roads might give drivers a false sense of security, and so they become more prone to distractions. Everyone needs to stay vigilant and focus on the road to avoid unnecessary crashes.

2. Impaired Driving

Whether it’s due to alcohol or drugs, many accidents are caused by impaired driving. The state’s rural and sparsely populated landscape tends to lead to longer road trips, and people get bored. Unfortunately, some of them choose to pass that time by drinking and driving, even though it’s both illegal and extremely dangerous.

The aftermath of such a crash can leave people with catastrophic injuries or even cause someone’s death. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident caused by an impaired driver, a Wyoming car accident lawyer can help you take legal action to be compensated for your suffering.

3. Speeding and Reckless Driving

Driving recklessly or at excessively high speeds is seen far too often on state highways. People are tempted to do this on open roads where they think they won’t encounter many other vehicles, but that flawed thinking often leads to accidents, especially in bad weather or with wildlife crossings.

Wyoming is known for its unpredictable weather and high likelihood of encountering animals, especially at night. Speeding affects a driver’s reaction time, meaning they can’t avoid obstacles that might jump out in front of them or adapt to changing road conditions.

4. Failure to Obey Traffic Signals

Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, and not giving the right-of-way can all cause a car accident. Rural areas tend to have intersections without lights and rely on stop signs and yield signs instead. Drivers who don’t know the area or aren’t paying attention can easily miss them and cause a crash.

Bad lighting, inadequate signage, and obstructed signs can also contribute to collisions. Unfortunately, some people assume that if there’s no traffic, they can disregard the signs and blast right through them without looking. All it takes is one time when there’s another car coming to cause a devastating crash.

How to Seek Compensation

After a Wyoming car accident, going through the legal process and dealing with insurance can be stressful. When you’re hurt and don’t know what to do, it can be tough to know how to move forward.

First and foremost, get checked out by a doctor. Even if you feel fine, you could have internal bleeding or head injuries that won’t become apparent until later. If that happens, you could be in serious trouble. Seeing a doctor will put your mind at ease, and it’ll also give you a paper trail to serve as evidence in a lawsuit.

Make sure to take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your visible injuries. Exchange information with the other driver and get contact info from any witnesses. Always report a car accident to the police. The report will be critical evidence later, as it’ll give a professional, third-party account of what happened.

A Wyoming car accident attorney can help you take the next steps to pursue compensation for your claim. They’ll handle the paperwork, investigate the accident to figure out liability, and negotiate with insurance adjusters for you. If a settlement can’t be reached and your case ends up in court, they’ll argue your case on your behalf.

The exact types and amount of your payout will depend on the specific circumstances of your case and the extent of the damage. However, most personal injury cases involving car accidents see compensation for:

• Medical Costs: Current and future
• Lost Wages: For missed work due to the crash
• Lost Earning Potential: For cases in which you’re injured badly enough that you can’t return to work at all
• Pain and Suffering: For physical pain and emotional distress
• Property Damage: The cost for repairs or replacement of your vehicle

Your lawyer will help you understand what kind of compensation you’re entitled to receive based on the details of your accident. They’ll make sure everything is calculated correctly so you don’t get shortchanged.

FAQ

Can I Still File for Compensation if I Was Partially Responsible?

Absolutely. Wyoming follows a modified comparative fault rule for car accidents. This means that, as long as your percentage of fault is less than 50%, you can collect payment. However, your total amount will be reduced by that amount.

What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you could still collect payment through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Your attorney can help you explore all of your options and negotiate a settlement with your insurance company for you so you don’t have to deal with the stress.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In Wyoming, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim will typically stand at four years from the day of the crash. However, there could be circumstances that change that deadline, so it’s best to get started as soon as possible so you don’t miss a deadline.

Take Charge of Your Recovery

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Wyoming car accident, contact The Spence Law Firm today for a free consultation of your case. Let us take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.