Common Personal Injury Myths in Wyoming

Personal injury law is a field fraught with misconceptions and myths that often deter injury victims from pursuing a claim. In the media, personal injury attorneys and their clients are sometimes portrayed as greedy people looking for easy money. This could not be further from the truth.

If you have been injured in an accident and are considering contacting an accident attorney, you should feel empowered to make an informed decision. We will debunk 8 of the most common myths about the claims process so you can make the decision that is right for you.

Myth 1: Insurance Companies Will Give You a Fair Offer Without A Fight

When you file a personal injury lawsuit, the responsible party’s insurance provider may reach out to offer you a settlement. Some injury victims accept the offer right away, in favor of avoiding a lengthy legal process. Unfortunately, this often means money is left on the table.

The truth is that insurance adjusters are rarely acting with your best interests in mind. They will often try to lowball you, hoping you will accept their offer right away. They may even try to deny liability altogether, leaving you with steep medical expenses to pay on your own.

By hiring experienced legal representation, you may increase your likelihood of obtaining a fair settlement. Your attorney will know how much your case is worth and will be able to negotiate with insurance providers to get you the compensation you deserve.

Myth 2: It Costs Too Much to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Finances can act as a barrier to getting legal representation in many areas of law, but not in the personal injury field. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay nothing up-front. Your attorney will get to work on your case right away.

When your case settles, your attorney’s fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. In short, your lawyer does not make any money until they win your case and you obtain a settlement. This way, anyone can access legal representation without worrying about paying their attorney out-of-pocket. It also means that your attorney is incentivized to fight to get you maximum compensation.

Additionally, most law firms offer free consultations, allowing injury victims to explore their legal options with no obligation or financial risk.

Myth 3: You Will Financially Ruin the At-Fault Party by Filing a Claim

One common misconception about personal injury law is the idea that the responsible party will have to pay the injury victim out-of-pocket. This makes victims hesitant to file a claim, especially if the person responsible is a family member, friend, or acquaintance.

In general, the at-fault party’s insurance provider is the one who handles payouts and settlements. These companies are worth millions of dollars and can afford to compensate you for your damages. You do not have to worry about ruining another person’s life by making sure your medical bills are paid.

Myth 4: You Can File a Personal Injury Claim Whenever You Want

Some accident victims put off filing a claim for a variety of reasons. They may believe they have plenty of time to file later, but this is not the case.

Every state has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The statute of limitations is a time limit for filing your claim—after this time frame has passed, you lose your right to file.

In general, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Wyoming is four years from the date of the accident. There are several factors that may impact this time limit, so it is a good idea to consult with an attorney to determine how much time you have.

Four years may seem like a long time—after all, some cases settle in a few months. In most cases, though, you need to be done treating your injuries before you can reach a settlement. Negotiations can also take a long time, depending on the other party’s willingness to settle. It is best to give yourself as much time as possible by beginning your claim right away.

Myth 5: You Will Have to Appear in Court if You File a Personal Injury Case

If you are putting off taking legal action because you are worried about going to trial, we have good news: most personal injury cases are settled before ever reaching a courtroom.

In some cases, your attorney may advise you that your best option is to go to trial. This may happen if the other party refuses to make a fair offer, or if the statute of limitations is close to expiring.

If you do choose to proceed with litigation, your attorney will prepare you for the courtroom. They will gather evidence and expert testimonies to build you the strongest case possible, and then they will argue on your behalf in front of a judge and/or jury.

Myth 6: Minor Injuries Do Not Warrant an Accident Claim

Even injuries that are seemingly minor can have serious impacts on your day-to-day life later down the road. Some victims of minor car accidents, like a rear-end at low speeds, suffer from pain for months or even years after the accident.

Some accident victims don’t realize they have suffered hidden injuries until later. You should seek medical attention immediately after your accident and let your doctor know that you were involved in an accident. They will be able to look for things like hairline fractures and internal damage that you may not be aware of.

If you suffered only minor scrapes and bruises from your accident, then you probably don’t need to file a personal injury claim. If your physical injuries are more serious than that though, it is worth at least consulting with an attorney. Your lawyer will be able to examine the details of your accident and injuries and let you know if it will be worth your time to pursue a claim.

Myth 7: Accident Victims Are Filing Frivolous Lawsuits Out of Greed

Let’s get one thing straight: personal injury claims are not a path to an easy payout. Filing frivolous lawsuits in hopes of getting undeserved money is a waste of everyone’s time. Fortunately, that is not what is happening in the U.S. court system, at least for the most part. Most injury victims are honest, hardworking people who have suffered a life-altering event. No one wants to face physical pain, emotional trauma, medical expenses, and the inability to live life to its fullest. If this is your situation, you deserve to receive compensation for the losses you have incurred. 

Most injury attorneys have great respect for the legal process and are not interested in filing lawsuits that will go nowhere. A personal injury attorney’s job is to represent injured people and help them move forward with their lives.

Myth 8: You Cannot Get a Settlement Offer if You Were Partially Responsible for Your Accident

Wyoming follows the modified comparative negligence rule. This means that fault may be split between multiple parties in an accident. It will be assigned as a percentage—for example, one party may be assigned 75% of the blame, while the other party is found to be 25% responsible.

As long as you are less than 50% responsible for your accident, you can recover damages. Your settlement amount will be reduced according to the percentage of fault you are assigned.

The Truth: An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Get Fair Compensation for Your Damages

Whether you were injured in a car accident or have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one, you deserve to recover physically, emotionally, and financially. An attorney cannot undo the accident, but they will fight to make you as whole as possible.

The Wyoming Advocates have years of experience representing injury victims in the state. We understand the challenges you are facing in the wake of your accident and we are committed to helping you every step of the way throughout your recovery.

Your Advocate can help you access the medical care you need, find repair shops in your area for your car or bike, and even communicate with your employer regarding your injuries. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and offer legal advice based on our experience and knowledge of your situation.

Our team will do everything we can to get you fair compensation for your damages. We will build your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve compassion and guidance after your accident. You deserve an Advocate.