Personal Injury Lawyers in Gillette

Helping Victims & Their Families After a Serious Accident in Gillette

When you have been injured in an accident, it can be difficult to deal with the aftermath. In addition to the emotional trauma, any serious injuries sustained can cause hefty medical bills, lost wages, and more. At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., we represent catastrophic injury victims and help them fight to recover the compensation they deserve.

We realize that it can be stressful to file a lawsuit, but it is also important to seek compensation and see that justice is served. Our Gillette personal injury attorney is here to support and guide you every step of the way. Whether you were hurt on the job or in any other circumstance, you can count on us to provide you with strong, knowledgeable advocacy. Call us right now at (307) 257-7800 to tell us what happened and discuss your options.

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Navigating the Complexities of a Lawsuit

Personal injury law is complex and filing a suit can seem overwhelming, especially if you are going up against a large company. Many companies will try to settle with you or offer you a small amount to get you to drop your suit. It is in your best interest to speak with a Gillette personal injury lawyer right away after you have received medical care and before you speak with an insurance adjuster. Even your own insurance company, which claims to be on your side, can try to get you to sign away your rights to save money. We can meet with you to investigate the details of your accident and determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.

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Types of Injuries

Some injuries are more common than others after an accident. These include:

• Broken bones: Broken bones are painful and require medical treatment to mend correctly. Depending on the injury, broken bones can also interfere with someone's work and daily lifestyle.
• Internal injuries: Injuries to internal organs are potentially fatal and often difficult to detect. Medical professionals are necessary to treat these injuries, and surgery may be required.
• Soft tissue damage: Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments are painful and can take a long time to heal. Serious damage to soft tissue can require surgery to treat. During recovery, mobility may be limited, and physical therapy may be required for months afterward.
• Amputations: Trauma to fingers, hands, feet, and limbs can cause so much damage that they are amputated from the body or require surgical amputation. The loss of any body part is traumatic and can have long-term consequences in terms of lost professional opportunities and reduced quality of life.
• Spinal cord injuries: Even minor spinal injuries can cause chronic pain and difficulty with mobility. Severe spinal cord injuries can result in some form of paralysis - either partial or total paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
• Traumatic brain injuries: Serious brain injuries can cause difficulty with mobility, changes in personality, loss of senses, loss of future work opportunities, and severely alter the quality of a person's life. The toll on your family and loved ones can also be quite high after a traumatic brain injury.
• Lacerations: Serious cuts can require stitches or other medical attention, but there is also the risk of infection.

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Compensation in Wyoming

Wyoming uses a "modified comparative negligence rule" for determining compensation in a personal injury claim. In other words, the amount you contributed to an accident can reduce how much compensation you receive from a jury. If you are awarded $100,000 by a jury, but they decide you are 20% at fault for what happened, you would only receive $80,000. Because of this system, Wyoming operates under a “51% Bar Rule,” which states that if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for an accident, you cannot recover compensation from other at-fault parties.

Otherwise, there is no limit to the damages you can seek in a personal injury civil claim. You can seek economic damages, which are actual expenses you have such as medical bills, lost wages due to missed time at work, and future income you will lose due to your injuries. The same is true for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or emotional trauma due to the accident.

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Time Limits for Personal Injury Claims

Following an accident, the first thing on your mind will be getting medical care, fixing or replacing your car or other damaged property, and moving on from the trauma. Most of us feel that insurance companies will look after us when we’re injured – namely because that’s what we pay them for – and we do not rush to file a personal injury claim. However, it is important to understand that the legal process takes time and leaving off filing a claim until later can make it more difficult.

For one thing, evidence is harder to keep track of the more time passes after an accident. That is why contacting a Gillette injury lawyer as early as possible is always better. It gives us the proper amount of time to fully review your case, collect evidence and witness statements, and calculate the amount of damages you can recover. It also keeps you from missing the statute of limitations – the deadline date – on filing a personal injury claim. In the state of Wyoming, the statute of limitations is four years, meaning you have four years from the date of your accident to file a claim. This is higher than most states, which often allow two to three years to file a claim, but it is still important to get started while the evidence is readily available.

There is also the matter of accidents with government vehicles, such as a police car that struck you while chasing a suspect or a garbage truck that backed into your car. In these cases, you only have one year to file a lawsuit, and the case will likely be more complicated than most. Contacting an attorney as quickly as possible can ensure a less stressful journey towards recovery.

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How to Win a Lawsuit in Wyoming

When you’re considering a Gillette personal injury lawsuit, there are two important factors to understand: negligence and liability. Negligence basically means someone did something that a reasonable person in the same situation would not have done, and what they did caused someone else's injury. For example, firing a gun towards a populated area, driving 40 mph over the speed limit, or not fixing a broken stair that has tripped people before could lead to a valid personal injury claim. A reasonable person who’s watching out for other people would not fire a gun in a crowd, drive too fast to control his vehicle, or allow people to trip on broken stairs.

Liability means someone's negligence directly caused or contributed to your injury. Someone zooming down the highway and slamming into your vehicle, causing you a spinal injury, would be liable for that injury, since speeding caused the accident. During your lawsuit, your trial attorney will clearly outline both negligence and liability to the jury to ensure they understand where the blame lies and the importance of awarding you compensation for a tragic event.

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24/7 Availability & Compassionate Care

We are dedicated to holding responsible parties accountable for their actions, both legally and financially. Our Campbell County personal injury legal team works tirelessly to protect our clients after they have suffered injuries, regardless of the circumstances. We also know that you cannot predict when you will be injured or when you will need legal help, which is why we are available 24/7 to answer your questions and offer advice.

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Give us a call now at (307) 257-7800 to request a free consultation.

Additional Information

• How Much Does a Wyoming Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
• Wyoming Personal Injury Claims 101
• How to Pay Medical Bills During an Accident Claim
• Gillette Mountain Biking Tips