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Wyoming Truck Accident Lawyer

Semi-truck accidents are dangerous events that can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, particularly for occupants of passenger vehicles. The Wyoming Advocates are here to help.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Accidents involving large trucks can have devastating effects– from medical bills and vehicle repairs to non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. The personal injury lawyers with The Advocates have 30 years of experience assisting truck accident victims with their recoveries, and we can help you too.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a commercial truck, The Advocates are here for you. We will be by your side every step of the way to help you get your needs taken care of and assist you in receiving fair compensation for your injuries.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Treatment Completed

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 

We can help you:

  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies
  • Take your case to court if necessary

You only pay if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Wyoming Truck Accident Statistics

Clock Semi Truck

Where do truck deaths occur?

  • Laramie, Natrona, Sweetwater, and Campbell counties have the highest number of accidents each year, with the cities of Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, and Rock Springs seeing the most accidents in each county
  • Accidents in rural areas are more likely to be fatal than accidents in urban areas
  • Most crashes involving tractor-trailers occur between the hours of noon and 3:00 pm
  • I-80 and I-25 corridors see a high number of blow-over crashes each year, resulting from high winds

Wyoming state truck accident statistics  

  • Truck accidents claim an average of 26 lives every year statewide
  • Most truck accident victims are male, due largely in part to the lack of female truck drivers
  • Over the last decade, the number of truck accident fatalities in the state of Wyoming has decreased
  • Most accidents in Wyoming occur between the months of October and February
  • Icy and/or frosty conditions cause a significant number of accidents each year, however, most crashes occur on dry roads
26 lives are lost in Wyoming due to truck accidents every year
tired trucker tries not to fall asleep at the wheel

Common causes of truck accidents

  • Driver fatigue: Commercial vehicle drivers work long hours, often driving on long stretches of rural road. It is easy to become tired, and it is crucial that truckers take regular breaks to rest
  • Distracted driving: Any activity that causes motorists to take focus off of the road in front of them increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents
  • Impaired driving: A driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a danger to everyone on the road
  • Mechanical failure: One of the most common causes of truck crashes is faulty equipment
  • Improper passing or turning: 18-wheelers have a much larger stopping distance than passenger cars. If a truck is cut off by a car, it may be difficult for the driver to avoid an accident
  • Bad weather: Wyoming is prone to snowy, icy conditions, which can be especially dangerous for large trucks

Common truck accident injuries 

Truck accident injuries can be severe, particularly for occupants of smaller vehicles. Some common types of truck accident injuries are:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Disfigurement
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Lacerations and bruising

Wyoming Truck Laws

holographic semi-truck on blue background

What are the size limits for a commercial truck in Wyoming?

Commercial vehicles in Wyoming must meet the following size requirements:

  • Height: 14 feet
  • Width: 8 feet, 6 inches
  • Length: 60 feet for a single unit or semi-trailer/truck combination; 81 feet for a double semi-trailer/truck combination

Additionally, single-axle trucks may weigh no more than 20,000 pounds. Weight restrictions for tandem-axle trucks are 36,000 pounds and for triple-axle trucks is 42,000 pounds.

What condition does a truck need to be in to drive?

Before starting a drive, truckers must complete a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle. They must inspect the critical areas of the truck to ensure they are in good working order before the semi may be driven. To be considered safe to drive, the truck must have properly functioning:

  • Brakes
  • Tires, wheels, and rims
  • Headlights, tail lights, and turn signals
  • Reflectors
  • Windshield and wipers
  • Mirrors
  • Steering system
  • Gauges
  • Horn

If any one of these components is faulty, it could seriously endanger the trucker and other drivers on the road. Regular truck maintenance and inspection helps keep everyone safe.

Truck driver inspects tires for saftey
New truck driver show CDL while standing next his truck

What licenses or endorsements does a truck driver need?

In order to operate a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds or to carry 16 or more passengers, a driver must obtain a CDL. The type and class of CDL they need depends on the type of vehicle they will be driving and where they will be driving it. 

In order to obtain a Wyoming CDL Class A or B license for the first time, a potential driver must:

In addition to their CDL, drivers may wish to obtain special endorsements in order to carry passengers or certain types of cargo. Endorsements are required for the following types of transport in Wyoming:

  • School buses
  • Passengers
  • Hazardous materials

Extra training may be required to obtain any special endorsements.

What is the speed limit for commercial trucks in Wyoming?

Wyoming has one of the highest absolute speed limits in the country. The maximum speed limit for all motor vehicles is 80 miles per hour.

 

On two-lane highways, other limited access roads, and certain segments of urban interstate, the speed limit may be 70-75 miles per hour.

Speed limits are set based on engineering studies that consider all safety factors of the area. Some of the considerations include:

  • Size of roadway
  • Roadway type and condition
  • Presence and location of intersections or access roads
  • Traffic control devices
  • Visibility
  • Accident history
  • Traffic speed studies
Wyoming truck speed limit is 80 MPH

How many hours can a truck driver work at one time?

Driver fatigue is a serious problem in the trucking industry. Many trucking companies pay their drivers by the mile, so truckers are incentivized to keep driving, even when they are tired. Because of this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration created the Hours of Service Rule, a federal regulation limiting how many hours a trucker may drive at once.

The Hours of Service Rule is as follows:

  • Truckers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
  • Drivers may only be on-duty, driving or not, for a maximum of 14 consecutive hours
  • Drivers are required to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving
  • In adverse conditions, the 11-hour and 14-hour maximums may be increased by up to 2 hours

It is crucial that truckers adhere to the Hours of Service Rule, as well as taking any additional breaks as needed. A truck driver falling asleep at the wheel is a major hazard for everyone on the road.

What is the statute of limitations for truck accidents in Wyoming?

Every personal injury case has a time limit, known as the statute of limitations. After the time limit is up, you lose your right of action. For all car accidents in Wyoming, including truck accidents, the statute of limitations is 4 years. 

However, it’s important to contact an attorney to begin working on your case as soon as possible. Personal injury claims can take years to settle, depending on the severity of your injuries, the amount of evidence from the accident, and the willingness of the other party to settle.

If you believe you have a case, contact a personal injury attorney right away. This will give you the best chance of receiving the settlement you deserve.

Attorneys and Clients talk about their truck accident case

When Should I Hire a Truck Injury Attorney?

If you were injured in a truck accident, you will need to prove liability in order to receive a settlement. Wyoming is a modified comparative fault state, meaning that even if you are found partially at-fault for the accident, you can still receive damages as long as the other driver is found to be more responsible.

Insurance companies will often do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility in the accident. They will go to extreme measures to diminish your claim and avoid paying you what you deserve. While recovering from injuries and dealing with property damage, fighting insurance adjusters can be stressful and upsetting.

The attorneys with The Advocates are ready to take on your truck accident claim. Our legal professionals have decades of experience in personal injury law, and we are committed to protecting your rights and best interests. We will take on building your case, negotiating with insurance companies, helping you get your bills taken care of, and more. With an Advocate on your side, you will never be left feeling alone or uncertain of your next steps.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, The Advocates’ law firm is here for you every step of the way. You deserve a team who will fight for you. You deserve an Advocate.

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