Hit & Run Accident Lawyers in Cheyenne
Pursuing Every Recovery Option When the At-Fault Driver Flees
When a driver causes a crash and disappears, the path to compensation isn’t always obvious. Our Cheyenne hit-and-run accident lawyers investigate the crash, identify applicable insurance coverage, and pursue every available source of recovery on your behalf. At Bailey | Stock | Harmon | Cottam | Lopez LLP, our attorneys bring more than 175 years of combined experience to cases where an injured person faces mounting medical bills, property damage, and real uncertainty about who caused the collision.
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in a crash leaves without stopping or providing identifying information. Wyoming law requires drivers to stop, exchange information, and assist injured people when necessary. The fleeing driver complicates a claim, but it doesn’t eliminate your options.
Call (307) 222-4932 to schedule a free consultation with our hit-and-run accident lawyers and discuss the insurance coverage and legal claims available to you.
Compensation After a Cheyenne Hit & Run Accident
Your options depend on whether law enforcement identifies the fleeing driver and which coverages apply under your own automobile policy. We review the policy, crash evidence, injuries, vehicle damage, and communications from the insurance companies before advising you on the best path forward.
Potential sources of compensation include:
- Uninsured motorist coverage: This coverage may apply when an unidentified driver causes bodily injuries. Wyoming doesn’t require drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, but insurers must offer it, and the policyholder may reject it in writing.
- Medical payments coverage: If included in your policy, this coverage may help pay qualifying medical expenses regardless of who caused the crash.
- Collision coverage: This coverage may pay for damage to your vehicle, subject to the policy’s terms and deductible.
- A claim against the fleeing driver: If investigators identify the driver, you may pursue an insurance claim or civil lawsuit against that party.
Wyoming generally allows four years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit, though the correct deadline depends on the specific claim and parties involved. Waiting can still weaken a case as video footage is erased, vehicles are repaired, and witnesses become harder to locate.
Wyoming also follows modified comparative negligence, which allows an injured person to recover damages when they’re no more than 50% responsible. Any compensation is reduced by their assigned percentage of fault.
Evidence Used to Establish Fault
Because the missing driver can’t give an account at the scene, police and insurers rely heavily on independent evidence. A police accident report can document initial observations, witness information, vehicle debris, skid marks, reported injuries, and any available description of the fleeing vehicle.
Evidence in a hit-and-run investigation may include:
- Photographs of vehicle damage, debris, road markings, and the surrounding area
- Statements from passengers, pedestrians, nearby drivers, and property owners
- Security, dashboard, traffic, or doorbell camera recordings
- License plate details and descriptions of the vehicle’s make, model, color, or damage
- Medical records connecting reported injuries to the collision
The criminal investigation into leaving the scene runs separately from your insurance claim or civil case. We use the available evidence to address liability, document damages, and respond when an insurer disputes how the collision occurred.
Why Cheyenne Hit-and-Run Victims Work With Us
We’ve served clients in Cheyenne, Star Valley, Laramie County, and beyond since 1986, and our results include multi-million-dollar verdicts and litigation before the Wyoming Supreme Court, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and other appellate forums.
Hit-and-run claims require consistent attention because the investigation and insurance issues can shift as new evidence emerges. We provide timely updates, respond promptly to your questions, and tailor our representation to your injuries, coverage, and legal needs. Our clients consistently cite our responsiveness and genuine concern for their well-being as what sets us apart.
What to Do After a Hit & Run Crash
Safety and medical needs come first. Don’t follow the fleeing vehicle or put yourself at risk trying to stop the driver. Instead, report the collision and preserve as much reliable information as circumstances allow.
Take these steps after the crash:
- Call 911: Report the crash, request medical assistance if needed, and give dispatchers the fleeing vehicle’s direction of travel.
- Record identifying details: Write down the license plate number, make, model, color, distinguishing features, and any description of the driver.
- Document the scene: Photograph the vehicles, visible injuries, debris, road conditions, traffic controls, and any surrounding businesses or homes with cameras.
- Speak with witnesses: Collect names and contact information from anyone who saw the collision or the fleeing vehicle.
- Notify your insurer: Report the crash promptly without guessing about fault or minimizing your injuries. Your policy may impose separate notice requirements.
Keep copies of the police accident report, medical bills, repair estimates, photographs, insurance correspondence, and receipts for crash-related expenses. Before providing a recorded statement or accepting a settlement offer, have our attorneys review what the insurer is requesting.
Insurance Claim Negotiation & Civil Litigation
Filing a first-party claim with your own insurer doesn’t make the evaluation automatic or undisputed. The carrier may question whether another vehicle caused the crash, whether the policy covers the event, or whether all claimed injuries resulted from the collision. Because your own insurer is paying out on a UM/UIM claim, it has a financial incentive to minimize or dispute it.
We can examine coverage limits and exclusions, gather supporting evidence, and negotiate directly with the adjuster on your behalf. If law enforcement later identifies the at-fault driver, we can evaluate a personal injury claim or civil lawsuit against that person. Our AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell® reflects the professional standards we bring to litigation and client service.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
A free consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss the crash, review your coverage options, and map out practical next steps. We offer in-person and virtual consultations, and our hands-on approach keeps you informed as your claim develops. You don’t need to know the fleeing driver’s identity before speaking with us. Bring whatever police information, photographs, medical documents, and insurance correspondence you have.
Call (307) 222-4932 to arrange your free consultation with Bailey | Stock | Harmon | Cottam | Lopez LLP.
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Over 175 Years of Combined Experience
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Consistent & Reliable Client Communication
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Millions Recovered for Personal Injury Clients
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Diverse & Extensive Appellate Experience
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Excellence in Written & Oral Advocacy
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Longstanding Reputation for Honesty & Trust
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Genuine Concern for Our Clients & Their Families