Car Accidents

Wyoming Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are horrifying and if you’re involved in an accident due to the negligence of others, then you may be entitled to damages. Last year there were 1,166 total car crashes in Campbell County, Wyoming and more than 80% of them resulted in property damage. If you’ve been involved in an accident, at no fault of your own, and are in need of a car accident attorney in Wyoming, then the following information will help you understand what steps to take and how a car accident attorney can assist you.

Why do I need to hire a car accident lawyer?

Insurance companies have teams of claims adjusters and legal representatives and you could choose to represent your, however, having someone with professional experience dealing in automobile accident cases in Gillette, WY area could make a difference in the number of damages you receive.

Insurance companies have lots of tactics at their disposal to cheat victims out of the damages they deserve. For example, some companies make very low offers initially to encourage defendants to take the lowest amount possible. Other companies try to prolong the process for as much time as possible to discourage victims from pursuing their case and forcing them to give up. An adept attorney will have a clear understanding of these tactics and how to combat them.

Steps To Take After A Car Accident

Check for Injuries

The first thing you should do is check yourself for injuries, then call 911 emergency assistance. If you’re seriously injured, then you should avoid moving at all costs and ask someone to get help for you. If no one is around, then it may be best to wait for emergency personnel to arrive.

After you’ve checked yourself and are not too injured to move, then you can check the other passengers in the car. If someone else is injured, then seek call emergency services immediately to assist them.

Call 911

Calling 911 is an essential step if there’s been an injury because in the state of Wyoming you could be fined up to $5,000 or imprisoned up to one year for failing to do so. You or an occupant of your vehicle if you’re unable to do so, must notify the police in the event of an injury, property damage, or death.

Get to a Safe Place

Once you’ve checked for injuries and called emergency services, then you’ll want to move yourself to safety on the sidewalk or to the side of the road. If your vehicle isn’t a road hazard to others, then leave it where it is until authorities arrive. If your vehicle is safe to operate but is a hazard to other travelers, then move it onto the shoulder of the road. Also, be sure to turn off your engine and engage your hazard lights to optimize safety.

Gather Information

Collecting and exchanging contact and insurance information with the other drivers will prove very useful throughout your accident process. Collect the following information as soon as you can in the event of an automobile accident:

Full name and contact information of the other driver
Insurance company and policy number
Driver’s license and plate number
Make, model, color, and type of vehicle
Address and location of the accident.

Document Everything

Documenting the accident details will be beneficial for filing a personal injury suit in the event of an accident. Here are some tips that could save you the hassle:

Avoid admitting fault while discussing the details of the accident with the other driver. Police officers and insurance agents will make determinations about fault after reviewing the details of the accident.
Gather the identifying information for officers on the scene including their badge numbers
Get a copy of the accident report
Take pictures and videos of the scene and nearby businesses. Be sure to get pictures of the damage done to both vehicles, license plates, and the accident from multiple angles.
Speak with witnesses and get their names and contact information.

Inform Your Insurer

Notifying your insurer from the scene will give them the opportunity to inform you of what they’ll need in order to successfully file process your claim and some insurance agencies even send representatives to the site.

Our Car Accident Experience

Cotton Law Office has experience handling many types of car accidents, allowing our team to become knowledgeable about the best way to represent each of our clients in their individual circumstances. We have our clients' best interests at heart and have obtained significant results for them in auto collision cases. Before you contact the insurance company, give us a call first at 307-257-9309. John Cotton can give you sound advice on how to deal with insurance companies so they don't take advantage of you, especially while you're vulnerable. We'll concentrate on communicating with your insurance company while you focus on getting better.