Personal Injury Lawyers in Sheridan County
Representing Accident Victims in Sheridan County
Sheridan County is one of the most stunning gems of our fair state. It is home to the majestic Big Horn Mountains, the historical allure of the town of Sheridan, and lively guest ranches – which is why it is no wonder that so many tourists and visitors flock to this amazing region.
The legal team at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. have always appreciated the untouched magnificence of Sheridan County and the charm of its residents, which is why it pains us when we hear that a resident has been the victim of a serious accident, especially when it leaves victims with lasting medical injuries. If your injuries were the fault of someone else’s careless, reckless behavior, then you are justifiably feeling angry and shocked at what has befallen you. You may be struggling with medical bills and trying to find time to take a break from work to recover, all-the-while still taking care of your family.
In your desperation, you may choose to accept a settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company, but they will likely shortchange you. Instead, contact the Sheridan County personal injury lawyers at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. We will relentlessly fight for your right to proper compensation after an accident to ensure you have a fair shot at recovery. Contact us at (307) 257-7800 to learn what options are available to you.
Types of Cases We Handle
While no resident likes to consider the dangers in their community, it is important to remember that accidents can happen anywhere, even in the charm and beauty of Sheridan County.
In fact, Sheridan County experienced up to 721 car accidents in the most recent year for which statistics are available, according to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (DOT). Out of Wyoming’s 23 counties, Sheridan County ranked seventh in terms of the most auto accidents and these accidents total up to $243,025,680 in economic costs to Sheridan County.
Vehicle accidents in Wyoming often occur on rural roads, and Sheridan County is no different. The county is home to some of Wyoming’s most popular rural destinations, including the Big Horn Mountains. Traveling to this stunning landscape requires traversing the Red Grade Road, a steep, gravel road that requires some familiarity with 4WD and rural driving conditions. Unfamiliar tourists and visitors may not know how to handle themselves on such roads, resulting in a collision with a Sheridan County resident.
Alongside car accidents, Sheridan County is located directly on I-90, a major roadway for trucks. These large, high-powered vehicles transport a majority of Wyoming’s production of coal, oil, and natural gases throughout the United States. These drivers are often overworked and extremely tired when driving late at night, which can contribute to a serious trucking accident in Sheridan County.
When you get off of the roadways, the Big Horn Mountains and Sheridan County invite residents to enjoy a variety of recreation activities. Mountain bikers, horseback riders, skiers, snowboarders, ATV riders, and even golfers can suffer serious injuries if they are not careful. While we all love to escape to nature or ride out across the wild landscapes of northern Wyoming, everyone should try to keep as safe as possible, especially if you are in a secluded area or have to use one of our rural roadways.
Sheridan County is also popular among boaters who like to relax and enjoy the pristine lakes and reservoirs riddled throughout the region. Big Horn Canyon, Lake DeSmet, the Tongue River Reservoir and Marina, and North Cove are spectacular bodies of water to visit by both motorized and non-motorized vehicles. However, as calming as these lakes can be, many boaters still choose to practice reckless habits. Whether a boater is inexperienced or drinking while boating, they can cause serious harm to themselves, their passengers, and anyone else on the water. Boats can capsize, passengers can drown, and collisions can occur when boaters are not careful.
Filing a Claim in Wyoming
When any one of these accidents occur in Sheridan County, the personal injury attorneys at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. are available to provide legal support for victims who wish to pursue compensation from the at-fault parties. We have a thorough understanding of Wyoming’s personal injury laws, including what constitutes liability, how negligence is determined, when to file a claim, and how much your case could be worth.
Liability
First and foremost, any personal injury claim requires establishing liability, or fault. Each driver on the road holds some form of liability towards other drivers, pedestrians, bikers, and motorcyclists. We are all expected to obey the rules of the road and ensure the safety of ourselves and others. When someone becomes injured in an accident, one person or multiple parties might be liable for the injuries, as well as the associated costs.
Negligence
But for someone to be found liable for an injury, they must have acted negligently. Negligence is legally defined as any action that a normal person wouldn’t do in the same situation, such as swerving into oncoming traffic because you fell asleep at the wheel.
To establish negligence in Wyoming, your attorney must demonstrate that another person:- Had a duty to provide care towards you, the victim;
- That person breached that duty by acting negligently;
- That negligence led to an injury; and
- That injury resulted in damages, or costs to the victim.
However, Wyoming is also a comparative negligence state, meaning that fault might be divided between multiple individuals in an accident. For example, if another driver fell asleep at the wheel and struck your vehicle, a jury may find that they hold the majority of the fault. But, if you were also speeding at the time and the jury decides that you were capable of avoiding the accident if you were driving slower, then you might share some of the fault. This can reduce the amount of compensation you recover by a certain percentage determined by the court, which is directly linked to the amount of fault you share in the accident. If you are assigned 50% or more of the fault, you would not be able to recover compensation.
Statute of Limitations
The duty of your attorney is to determine if you have a viable case early on and work to maximize the amount of fault assigned to the at-fault party. To do that, we need to begin reviewing your case as early as possible. Each personal injury claim must be filed by a strict deadline, otherwise known as a statute of limitations. In the state of Wyoming, you have up to four years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
While this may seem like a long time, you have to understand that this process can be complicated. Your attorney needs time to review the evidence, collect witness statements, evaluate your medical records, and calculate the costs you have suffered. In some cases, we cannot fully move forward with a case until you have gone through the majority of your medical treatment. Some injuries require extensive treatment plans and the full extent of the damage you have suffered may not be readily apparent. That is why it is important to contact us as early as possible.
Compensation
Lastly, your personal injury claim will also require a clear idea of what you can recover from the at-fault party’s insurance company. This is sometimes referred to as damages or compensation, but it is primarily the amount of money your case is worth. Compensation in Wyoming can include the medical costs of your injuries, lost wages while you are out of work recovering, future paychecks if you have to leave your job due to your injuries, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment.
There is no official cap on most personal injury claims in Wyoming, however, the majority of your case will be based on the amount of money you lost in the accident. This is often based on your medical expenses and the money you lost while out of work – which can add up drastically in serious accidents.
Knowledgeable Representation After Traumatic Injuries
To successfully pursue a personal injury claim in Sheridan County, you will need the legal assistance of a law firm that knows Wyoming’s court systems and insurance policies. At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., our Sheridan County personal injury attorneys have a wealth of experience and knowledge to draw upon to assist our clients. We can review your case in a free consultation and, if we take you on as a client, aggressively pursue compensation. We will handle the leg work of collecting evidence, speaking to experts, and negotiating with insurance companies while you focus on recovering. Call us at (307) 257-7800 to secure sound legal advice after an accident in Sheridan County.
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