Were you injured in an accident in Rock Springs, WY? If so, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Contact Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers at (307) 205-7400 to schedule a free consultation.
Our Rock Springs personal injury lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience. With hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for our clients, we are prepared to fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from injury victims who are seeking justice and a financial recovery in Wyoming.
Why Should I Choose Parker & McConkie After an Accident in Rock Springs, WY?
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. At Parker & McConkie, our Rock Springs personal injury attorneys have experience in a wide array of practice areas, including car accidents, construction accidents, dog bites, and wrongful death.
When you hire our firm, you’ll benefit from high-caliber legal representation. Our attorneys have over a century of legal experience and have earned substantial settlements and verdicts. We have been recognized by Super Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and The National Trial Lawyers.
We are known for providing personalized service and relentless advocacy for our clients. Contact our law firm in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to schedule a free consultation.
What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
The value of your case depends heavily upon the extent and severity of your injuries. Victims who suffer severe or catastrophic injuries are typically entitled to more compensation than those who suffer only minor injuries.
There are also several other factors that can affect your case’s value, such as:
- The length of your recovery
- The way that your relationships with others have been affected
- The total cost of your medical bills
- How long you were out of work because of your injuries
- Whether or not you will be able to go back to work
- Your age and health prior to the accident
- The outlook for your future health and employment
- The amount of insurance coverage available
Insurance often plays a big role in your case’s value. Even though you may be owed significant compensation, it can be difficult to get that money if there is not enough insurance. We can help you put an accurate value on your claim.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Accident victims are generally entitled to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages after an accident. Economic damages are used to compensate the victim for their financial losses.
This can include a variety of accident-related expenses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
- Home health care
- Rehabilitation
Putting a dollar figure on the value of your economic damages is fairly easy. Victims may use receipts, bills, or other documentation to prove the value of these losses. However, non-economic damages are not as straightforward.
Non-economic damages compensate victims for their physical and psychological pain. Because they are intangible, these losses are much more subjective.
Some common examples of non-economic damages or losses include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Disfigurement
Putting a dollar figure on these damages can be much more difficult. A common method for valuing these damages is known as the multiplier method. This is done by assigning a multiplier to your claim from 1.5 to 5, depending on the severity of your injuries. The value of your economic damages is then multiplied by this multiplier to estimate the value of your non-economic damages.
In rare cases, accident victims may be entitled to recover punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish the defendant for their behavior and deter similar behavior in the future. To recover punitive damages, a victim must prove that the defendant acted with willful and wanton misconduct or a reckless disregard for others’ safety.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Thankfully, you will not have to pay any money up front to hire a personal injury lawyer. Most injury attorneys work on contingency fees. This means that the lawyer does not require any money up front. Instead, they get a percentage of any money they recover for the victim at the conclusion of the case.
On average, contingency fees in personal injury cases usually range from 30% to 40% of the total financial recovery. The percentage charged in your case may vary, depending on:
- The lawyer’s experience level
- The lawyer’s success rate
- Your specific geographic location
- Whether your case settles or goes all the way to trial
You should also keep in mind that contingency fee agreements in Wyoming should be in writing and must be signed by both the lawyer and the client. Both parties should sign two copies of the agreement, with one copy being delivered to the client and the other copy being retained by the lawyer. Make sure that you fully understand the terms of the agreement and how the lawyer’s fee will be calculated prior to signing it.
Can I Still Recover Compensation Even if I Am Partially Responsible for the Accident?
After an accident, the insurance company may try to blame you for what happened. This tactic is used to help minimize the value of your claim. Since Wyoming follows a modified comparative fault system, victims who share some of the blame for their accident may still be able to recover compensation for their injuries.
Also known as the “51% bar rule,” victims can still recover damages as long as their share of the fault is 50% or less. If you are found to be partially responsible for your accident, your recovery will be reduced by your portion of the fault. For example, if the jury finds that you were 30% responsible for the accident, you may still recover 70% of your damages from the other at-fault party.
What Are Common Injuries Suffered in Accidents in Wyoming?
After an accident, victims may be suffering from one or multiple injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological injuries
- Burns, cuts, and bruises
A lawyer can analyze all the injuries you are suffering from and seek compensation for them.
What Causes Most Accidents in Rock Springs, WY?
Accidents happen every day, and many of these accidents end up injuring innocent victims.
Some common types of accidents in Rock Springs that result in personal injury claims are:
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Defective products
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
If you have been hurt in any type of accident, seek help from an experienced personal injury lawyer right away. Do not let the insurance company take advantage of you, and be leery of quick settlement offers. These offers are usually in an amount much less than your case is actually worth.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
A personal injury lawyer can help you by:
- Investigating your accident to uncover exactly what happened
- Identifying all potential defendants who may be liable
- Gathering evidence and using experts to help prove your claim
- Calculating the value of your case and demanding full and fair compensation
- Handling all communications with the insurance company and defense counsel
- Negotiating a top-dollar settlement that compensates you for all your injuries
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit and litigating on your behalf when negotiations stall
The time after an accident can seem like a whirlwind. You are dealing with medical appointments and loads of expenses while struggling with the pain of your physical injuries. A personal injury lawyer can be your trusted advocate who will stand up for your rights and help you get the compensation you are owed.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Wyoming?
After an accident, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for your damages. In Wyoming, you typically have four years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
There are some exceptions to this rule, and a few special circumstances may allow you a longer or shorter amount of time to file your claim. Since these rules can get somewhat complex, it is always best to consult an experienced lawyer for help after your accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Rock Springs Personal Injury Lawyers
If you have suffered an injury in any type of accident in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the experienced team at Parker & McConkie is here to help you today. We have 100 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of injury victims and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for them.
Call us today to schedule your free consultation with a Rock Springs personal injury attorney. We can answer your questions and help you get started on your case.
