“Should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident?” is a question many people ask. If you suffer a “minor” car accident in Wyoming, you may or may not need to hire a lawyer. Some claims are simply too minor to justify hiring a lawyer. However, the most dangerous situation arises when you think you don’t need a lawyer when you do.
At the least, it’s worth your time to reach out to an attorney for a free consultation after an accident to learn about your legal rights and options. Until then, read on for insight into when you may want to hire an attorney after a minor car accident in Wyoming.
When You Need to Report Your Accident to the Police
Under Wyoming law, you must report an accident to the police if:
- Anyone is injured or killed;
- Property damage equals or exceeds $1,000; or
- The accident involves government property, such as damage to a stop sign.
If the accident happens within city limits, report it to the local police. If it happens outside of city limits, contact the county sheriff or the Wyoming Highway Patrol. The police will prepare a report that you may eventually need access to. The police report can be useful in settlement negotiations.
Circumstances That Might Require the Assistance of a Lawyer
If someone dies or suffers a serious injury in your crash, you know you’re going to need a car accident lawyer. If someone totals your car, you will probably need a lawyer as well. Under certain circumstances, however, you might need a lawyer but not realize it. Below are a few examples.
- You delay medical treatment because you suffered an injury, such as a concussion, that doesn’t start generating symptoms until hours or even days later. Delaying medical treatment can give the insurance company room to argue that the accident did not cause your injuries.
- You suffer high non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering due to a whiplash injury. But how much is it worth? A lawyer can help you decide.
- You file a claim against the other driver’s liability insurance policy, and the insurance company falsely accuses you of comparative negligence.
- You were partially at fault for the accident, especially if the at-fault driver’s insurance company is trying to exaggerate your degree of fault.
- You discover that the police report contains errors that falsely blame you for the accident.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance company repeatedly ‘lowballs’ you by offering settlements of far less than the value of your claim.
- The at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, forcing you to look to other sources of compensation (the driver’s employer, for example, under certain circumstances).
- You incurred significant medical expenses over injuries that initially seemed minor
- You are self-employed, and you missed work due to the accident. A lawyer can help you calculate your lost income.
- Your injuries result in long-term disability. This might not be obvious at the scene of the accident.
- The accident involved multiple parties—a freeway pileup, for example.
Many other possible circumstances might require the assistance of a lawyer. Additionally, certain minor injury lawyers might take your case even if it is of low value. Other lawyers might hesitate to represent you for a small claim. Naturally, the larger the claim, the more likely it is that the lawyer will take your case.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation Today
If you suffer a ‘minor’ car accident, there is an irony involved in your decision of whether to contact a lawyer. The irony is that you might need the advice of a lawyer to determine whether you need a lawyer.
Contact a Wyoming car accident law firm to schedule a free initial consultation. Under the contingency fee system most attorneys in this area of the law use, you only pay if you win compensation.
Contact the Wyoming Car Accident Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have 5 convenient locations in Utah, including Midvale, Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo, UT. Clients can also visit our offices in Idaho Falls, ID & Rock Springs, WY.
We proudly serve Weber County, Utah County, Salt Lake County in Utah, Bonneville County in Idaho, Sweetwater County in Wyoming , and its surrounding areas:
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City Office
466 S. 500 E., Suite 100,
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 851-1202
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Midvale Office
7090 Union Park Ave, #160,
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 845-0440
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Ogden Office
2510 S Washington Blvd, Suite 160,
Ogden, UT 84401
(385) 402-8187
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Provo Office
37 E Center St, Suite 300,
Provo, UT 84606
(801) 876-4107
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Rock Springs Office
531 N Front St,
Rock Springs, WY 82901
(307) 205-7400
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Idaho Falls Office
2235 East 25th St. Suite #280,
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 418-0633
Hours: 24/7
