By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · How we research
Wyoming rewrote its crash reporting rule on July 1, 2025. A driver now must notify local police, the county sheriff or the Wyoming Highway Patrol immediately, by the quickest means available, whenever a crash causes injury or death or leaves a vehicle too disabled to be driven normally and safely. WYDOT's Highway Safety office keeps the resulting reports and handles copy requests by phone, email or mail.
Time limits are generous for injuries and vehicle damage, generally 4 years, but only 2 years from the date of death for wrongful death. Claims against a government entity require a signed, itemized claim under oath within 2 years and a lawsuit within 1 year after filing it if the claim is not resolved. Recovery from the government is capped at $250,000 per claimant and $500,000 per occurrence, a limit the Wyoming Supreme Court upheld in 2025, while the state constitution generally bars caps between private parties. Fault above 50% ends recovery. Minimum liability coverage is 25/50/20, since a 2009 bill to raise it did not become law. Wyoming recorded 107 traffic deaths in 2024.
Key rules at a glance
| Personal injury filing deadline | Generally 4 years, usually counted from the date of the accident Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv) |
|---|---|
| Property damage deadline | Generally 4 years for damage to your vehicle or other personal property Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv) |
| Wrongful death deadline | Generally 2 years from the date of death Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-38-102(d) |
| Claims against a government entity | Under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, you generally must present a signed, itemized written claim to the government entity within 2 years of the crash, stating the time, place and circumstances and the amount you seek. The claim must be signed under oath. If the claim is denied or not resolved, you generally must sue within 1 year after filing the claim. Recovery is capped at $250,000 per claimant and $500,000 per occurrence. |
| Fault rule | Modified comparative fault (51% bar): Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can recover only if your fault is not more than 50% of the total fault of everyone involved. Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-1-109(b) |
| Insurance system | At-fault (tort) |
| Minimum liability insurance | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury; $20,000 property damage Source: Wyo. Stat. § 31-9-102 |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Not required (usually offered; you may reject it in writing) |
| Damage caps | No general cap on damages in car accident cases between private parties; the Wyoming Constitution generally bars laws limiting damages for injury or death. Claims against government entities are capped at $250,000 per claimant and $500,000 per occurrence (Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-118), a cap the Wyoming Supreme Court upheld in Bain v. City of Cheyenne, 2025 WY 67. |
| Reporting a crash | Since July 1, 2025, a driver in a crash that causes injury or death, or leaves a vehicle too disabled to be driven normally and safely, must immediately notify local police, the county sheriff or the Wyoming Highway Patrol by the quickest means available. Source: Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-1105 |
Getting your crash report in Wyoming
WYDOT's Highway Safety office keeps crash reports from Wyoming law enforcement agencies. Request a copy by phone (307-777-4450), email (crash.records@wyo.gov) or mail, with the case number if you have it, the investigating agency, the name and date of birth of a person involved, the crash date and the vehicle's VIN. Official request page
Checking a Wyoming lawyer
Before you sign anything, confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the official state search, and ask for the fee agreement in writing. Our guide on choosing and verifying a lawyer lists what to ask.
- License search: Wyoming State Bar – Lawyer Directory Search
- Lawyer referral: Wyoming State Bar – Lawyer Referral Directory · 307-632-9061
107 people died in motor vehicle crashes in Wyoming in 2024, according to NHTSA FARS (2024).
Frequently asked questions
›When do I need to call police after a Wyoming crash?
Immediately, if the crash causes injury or death or leaves a vehicle too disabled to be driven normally and safely (Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-1105, as amended effective July 1, 2025). Notify local police, the county sheriff or the Wyoming Highway Patrol by the quickest means available.
›How many years can pass before it is too late to sue in Wyoming?
Generally 4 years for injuries and property damage (Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105). Wrongful death claims have a shorter 2-year limit from the date of death (§ 1-38-102). Exceptions can apply, so ask a licensed attorney if you are close to either deadline.
›What goes into a claim against a Wyoming government entity?
A signed, itemized written claim under oath, stating the time, place and circumstances and the amount you seek, presented within 2 years (Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-113). If it is denied or unresolved, you generally must sue within 1 year after filing it (§ 1-39-114). Recovery is capped at $250,000 per claimant.
›Does Wyoming cap damages in a case against another driver?
Generally no. The Wyoming Constitution generally bars laws limiting damages for injury or death between private parties. The cap applies to government claims, and the Wyoming Supreme Court upheld it in Bain v. City of Cheyenne, 2025 WY 67.
›Can I recover if a jury puts some of the blame on me in Wyoming?
Yes, if your fault is not more than 50% of the total fault of everyone involved (Wyo. Stat. § 1-1-109). Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.
Sources
- Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 (Justia, 2025)
- Wyo. Stat. § 1-1-109 (Justia, 2025)
- Wyo. Stat. Title 1, Chapter 38 – Wrongful Death (Justia)
- Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-113 (Justia)
- Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-114 (Justia)
- Wyo. Stat. Title 1, Chapter 39 – Governmental Claims Act, incl. § 1-39-118 (Justia)
- Bain v. City of Cheyenne, 2025 WY 67 (Wyoming Supreme Court)
- Wyoming A&I Risk Management – Public claims
- WYDOT – How to request a crash report
- Wyo. Stat. § 31-9-102 (Justia)
- Wyoming State Bar – Hire a lawyer
- NHTSA FARS – State crashes and all victims