Car Accident Attorneys

Over 40 Years of Experience

Best Car Accident Lawyers WYThere are many variables that cause car accidents: speeding, fatigue, alcohol, drugs, distractions, careless driving, reckless driving, negligence, failing to obey traffic signals, and sometimes defective products.

A serious car accident can change your life. The resulting financial burden of huge medical bills and other expenses can be heavy on you and those you love. Likewise, if someone you love is killed or injured in a car crash, the emotional and financial distress can be overwhelming. Let our experienced Wyoming car accident attorneys help you get the financial and emotional support you deserve.

The Fitzgerald Law Firm has over 40 years of experience representing clients who have been in car, truck, and bus accidents that resulted in significant disability and/or death. When we take on a case, we strive to understand the unique challenges presented in each case. We answer our clients’ questions and make sure their legal rights are protected. We have represented individuals who have been injured in Wyoming as well as claims located throughout the United States.

What damages can be recovered in a car accident case in Wyoming?

Under Wyoming law, damages can be awarded when a jury finds that the defendant’s negligence caused the injury or death. The company or person who is at fault for a car accident is financially responsible for all of the damages caused by the wreck. If the negligence of the defendant caused personal injury, the potential damages include:

  • Disability and/or disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress experienced as a result of the injuries and those reasonably probable to be experienced in the future
  • Loss of enjoyment of life and any loss of enjoyment of life reasonably probable to be experienced in the future
  • Loss of earnings and earning capacity
  • Medical expenses
  • Caretaking

If the negligence of the defendant caused a wrongful death, damages include both economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages account for the amount of money each claimant will not receive from the decedent’s potential earnings. Non-economic damages are the loss of probable future companionship, society, and comfort.

Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents can vary significantly on a case-by-case basis and there are many factors that can impact the severity of an accident and determine liability including how the cars collided, where they collided, whether occupants were wearing seatbelts and the driver’s attentiveness. The most common types of car accidents include:

  • Rear-ended accidents occur when the front of a vehicle crashes into the back, or rear, of the vehicle in front of it. This type of accident typically occurs when the driver behind is following too closely and hits the car in front if they stop suddenly. Injuries can definitely be serious depending on how fast the car in the back is driving.
  • Side-swipe accidents happen when the side of one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle. This often occurs when a driver is drifting in and out of lanes in traffic, and can be caused by distracted or impaired driving. Side-swipe accidents are dangerous because they can cause either car to spin or enter another lane of traffic.
  • Head-on collisions. While head-on collisions are not common, they are one of the most dangerous accident types, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
  • T-bone collisions usually happen at an intersection when one vehicle fails to stop or yield to traffic, hitting the side of another vehicle with its front end. This type of collision can be very dangerous for drivers and passengers in both vehicles.
  • Chain-reaction crashes, also known as “pile-ups,” involve more than two vehicles and most commonly occur on highways when vehicles are traveling at higher speeds, or during inclement weather conditions.

Types of Negligence in Car Accidents

Driver negligence often plays a role in causing a car accident. When a driver is not following traffic regulations or is not using the caution required to operate a vehicle, they can be found responsible for the crash. Examples of driver negligence include:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving: including texting, changing music, or eating
  • Driving under the influence
  • Fatigued driving
  • Confused driving: when someone is lost, they may make errors such as making a sudden U-turn without checking that the traffic around them is clear or turning the wrong way on a one-way street
  • Defective car parts: malfunctioning car parts that do not allow the driver to operate their vehicle correctly
  • Poorly maintained car: when a car’s owner fails to properly maintain vehicle parts such as tires or brakes, hindering the vehicle’s operating ability

Common Car Accident Injuries

Resulting injuries from a car accident can range from mild to severe and can often have a delayed effect on an injured person. If you are involved in an accident it is important to be assessed by a medical professional to eliminate potential injury. Common injuries seen in car accidents include:

  • Brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Burns
  • Broken bones
  • Loss of limbs
  • Soft tissue injuries, also known as “whiplash” occur frequently. The Fitzgerald Law Firm chooses to not take such cases, but we can refer you to attorneys who do.

Should I Contact An Attorney About My Car Accident Case?

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious car accident at the fault of another person it is important to contact an experienced attorney immediately. Each car accident is unique and requires a detailed analysis of the events leading up to the crash, an evaluation of damages, and communications with insurance companies.

Building a sound car accident case can take a few weeks to years. The statute of limitations for a general personal injury case in Wyoming is four years unless a government car was involved. If so, the time limit is two years. If you wait too long to bring your case forward, you may not be able to pursue your case in court.

Reaching out to an attorney is the first step in finding out if you have a case. Our experienced Wyoming car accident attorneys can answer your questions during a free, confidential consultation. Contact us here and let us help you on your road towards justice. Our firm’s information and contact form can be found here. Let us help you on the road toward justice.