Car accidents in Wyoming: what to do and who pays

At the scene and reporting a crash in Wyoming

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police

Call police right away (city police inside a city; otherwise the Highway Patrol or county sheriff) if anyone is hurt or killed or a vehicle is too damaged to drive normally and safely.

Report to the state

No separate driver report. Police who investigate a crash with injury, death or a disabled vehicle send a written report to WYDOT within 10 days.

Law

Wyo. Stat. §§ 31-5-1105, 31-5-1106

Official text

Read the official text

First 24 hours after a crash in Wyoming

Tick the boxes as you go, or print the list and keep it in your glove box.

Insurance system in Wyoming

Wyoming is a fault (tort) state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other people's injuries and damage.

System

Fault (tort)

PIP, benefits and when you can sue

No PIP required. Wyoming requires liability insurance only, so the driver who caused the crash and their insurer pay for others' injuries and damage. We found no no-fault law in Wyoming statutes.

Law

Wyo. Stat. §§ 31-4-103, 31-9-405(b)

Official text

Read the official text

Compare every state in the no-fault states table.

Who pays: comparative fault in Wyoming

Rule

Modified (51% bar)

What it means

In Wyoming, your damages are reduced by your share of the fault, and you can't recover at all if you were more than 50% at fault (51% or more).

Law

Wyo. Stat. § 1-1-109(b) (you can recover if your fault is not more than 50% of the total; damages are reduced by your share)

Compare every state's rule in the comparative negligence table.

Who pays in Wyoming: fault and payout explainer

If both drivers share the blame, your state's comparative-fault rule decides whether you can recover and how much. Enter your share of the fault and your total damages to see what the rule means. This is an illustration, not a prediction: insurers, juries and judges decide the percentages.

Minimum insurance in Wyoming

Liability minimum

25/50/20

Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)

Uninsured motorist coverage must be included in the policy unless you reject it.

Official text

Read the official text

Numbers like 25/50/25 mean $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for all injuries in one crash and $25,000 for property damage. Compare every state in the minimum insurance table.

Getting the police report in Wyoming

Request crash reports from WYDOT Highway Safety (give the crash date and other details). The fee is $3 per report, plus a $2.50 service fee if you pay by credit card; checks and money orders payable to WYDOT are accepted. Payment is due when you request. https://dot.state.wy.us/home/dot_safety/crash-reports/requesting-crash-reports.html

No confirmed online way to order a report in Wyoming? Ask by mail with our free police report request letter.

Filing a claim and insurer deadlines in Wyoming

How fast insurers must act

Wyo. Stat. § 26-15-124(b): claims for benefits under a property or casualty insurance policy must be accepted or rejected and paid within 45 days after the insurer receives the claim and supporting bills. If a court finds an insurer's refusal to pay a covered loss unreasonable, it may award attorney's fees and 10% yearly interest (§ 26-15-124(c)). Unfair claims practices are listed in § 26-13-124.

Put your claim in writing. Our free insurance claim letter lists your damages and asks for a written answer.

If the other driver has no insurance in Wyoming

Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor: up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of $500 to $1,500; for a second offense the judge requires you to hand in your registration and plates (Wyo. Stat. § 31-4-103). If the other driver has no insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage (unless you rejected it) can pay for your injuries.

Read what to do if you are hit by an uninsured driver.

Deadlines to sue in Wyoming

Property damage (your car)

4 years

Injury

4 years

Notes, including claims against a government

To sue a Wyoming government entity, you must first present an itemized written claim to it within 2 years of the act; claims against the State go to the general services division of the Department of Administration and Information (Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-113).

Law

Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(B), (C)

The deadline is the statute of limitations. Insurance claims and talks with an adjuster don't stop it. Compare every state in the deadlines table.

Deadline to sue in Wyoming

Every state limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a car crash. This is the statute of limitations. Choose your state, the type of claim and the date of the crash to see the usual deadline and the last day to file. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Small claims for property damage in Wyoming

Small claims limit

$6,000 (Circuit Court small claims).

Wyoming small claims guide on Small Claims Map

Small claims court can be a way to recover the cost of repairs from the driver who caused the crash. Read how to use small claims for car damage.

Insurance complaints in Wyoming

If an insurer delays, underpays or denies a claim without a good reason, you can file a complaint with the state insurance regulator:

• Wyoming Department of Insurance, Consumer Affairs · (307) 777-7402

Free help in Wyoming

• WYDOT Highway Safety: crash reports
• Wyoming Department of Insurance · (307) 777-7402

Good to know in Wyoming

• Wyoming gives 4 years to sue for both car damage and injuries (Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105).
• Insurers must accept or reject and pay a claim for benefits under a property or casualty policy within 45 days of receiving the claim and supporting bills (Wyo. Stat. § 26-15-124(b)).
• A copy of a crash report from WYDOT costs $3 (WYDOT).

Free letters

Questions about car accidents in Wyoming

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