Wyoming Car Accident Laws: Your Legal Duty After an Accident

If you’re a Wyoming driver, you must know your legal obligations after an accident, such as exchanging information and reporting the crash.

As a Wyoming driver, you need to know your legal responsibilities following a collision. Failing to comply with your obligations can result in serious consequences.

This summary of important car accident laws in Wyoming describes your legal duties after a crash. You can also read Chapter 5 of the Wyoming Motor Vehicle Code for further details.

1. Wyoming Driver Exchange of Information Law

In Wyoming, if you get into a car accident resulting in injury or death, you must immediately stop your vehicle and exchange information with the other parties.

This includes providing your name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other parties involved and any police officers who are investigating the accident. You must also display your driver’s license if they ask to see it.

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death shall immediately stop the vehicle and shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of W.S. 31-5-1103. Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

WY Stat. § 31-5-1101

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to any vehicle or other property shall give his name, address and the registration number of the vehicle and shall upon request exhibit his driver’s license to the person injured or to the driver or occupant of any vehicle and to any police officer who is investigating the accident.

WY Stat. § 31-5-1103

2. Wyoming Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid

According to Wyoming law, if you get into a car accident, you have the duty to provide “reasonable assistance” to any person injured in the crash. Such aid includes arranging for transportation to a hospital if medical treatment is necessary or requested by the injured person.

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident shall render to any person injured reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of the person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that the treatment is necessary or if the carrying is requested by the injured person.

WY Stat. § 31-5-1103

3. Wyoming Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police

Wyoming law requires you to immediately notify local law enforcement if you are involved in a car accident that hurts or kills someone. You also must report a crash that causes property damage of at least $1,000 or renders any vehicle so disabled it can no longer be driven safely.

The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death, in property damage of at least $1,000 or in any vehicle becoming so disabled as to prevent its normal and safe operation, shall immediately give notice of the accident to the local police department, the nearest office of the state highway patrol or the office of the county sheriff.

WY Stat. § 31-5-1105

What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Wyoming?

Failing to notify the police of a reportable accident is illegal in Wyoming. If you are convicted of violating this requirement, you can be punished with a fine of up to $750.

Any person who violates any provision of this act for which no separate penalty is provided upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $750.

WY Stat. § 31-4-104

4. Wyoming Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty

You still have legal duties under Wyoming law if you get into an accident that only causes property damage, even if nobody is hurt. The law states that you must immediately stop at the scene, exchange information with the other people involved in the crash, and give your details to investigating police officers.

The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property shall immediately stop and remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of W.S. 31-5-1103. Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

WY Stat. § 31-5-1102

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to any vehicle or other property shall give his name, address and the registration number of the vehicle and shall upon request exhibit his driver’s license to the person injured or to the driver or occupant of any vehicle and to any police officer who is investigating the accident.

WY Stat. § 31-5-1103

5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Wyoming?

If you hit a parked car in Wyoming and damage it, you must immediately stop at the scene. Then, you must either locate the owner of the car you hit or leave a note. Either way, you must provide your name, address, and vehicle registration number.

The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended resulting in any damage shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of the vehicle of his name, address and the registration number of the vehicle he is driving or attach securely in a conspicuous place in or on the vehicle a written notice.

WY Stat. § 31-5-1104

It’s essential that you understand and fulfill your responsibilities when a crash occurs. Taking the time to become familiar with Wyoming’s car accident laws can help you stay safe and legally compliant, and avoid any unnecessary headaches down the road. So make sure to keep these rules in mind whenever you get behind the wheel.