Motorcycle Accident Claims in Wyoming
The Wyoming helmet law, whether lane splitting is legal, how fault is shared after a motorcycle crash, and the deadline to sue.
Short answer: Wyoming requires helmets only for minors: no minor may operate or ride on a motorcycle on public highways, streets and thoroughfares unless wearing approved protective headgear securely fastened, and an operator may not let a minor ride without one. Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-115(o), (q), (r), (t)
| Motorcycle helmet law | Wyoming requires helmets only for minors: no minor may operate or ride on a motorcycle on public highways, streets and thoroughfares unless wearing approved protective headgear securely fastened, and an operator may not let a minor ride without one. Adults are not required to wear helmets under this section. Riders in an enclosed cab, moped riders, autocycles and officially authorized parades are excluded. The section does not address the effect on damages. Read in the Wyoming Legislature's compiled title PDF on wyoleg.gov. |
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| Lane splitting | Lane splitting is banned: no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass a vehicle in the same lane except another motorcycle. Police officers on duty are exempt; motorcycles may not ride three or more abreast in a single lane. Read in the Wyoming Legislature's compiled title PDF on wyoleg.gov. Source: Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-115(f)-(j) |
| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | Modified comparative fault (51% bar). A claimant can recover if their fault is not more than 50% of the total fault of all actors; damages are reduced by the claimant's percentage of fault. The jury is told the consequences of its fault percentages. Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-1-109(b)–(d) |
| Minimum car insurance | Owners must keep a motor vehicle liability policy or bond. Proof of financial responsibility means at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage. The required policy amounts are set by cross-reference to § 31-9-405(b), which was not separately read. |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Four years for an injury to the rights of the plaintiff not arising on contract, which covers most negligence-based injury claims. Assault or battery (other than sexual assault), libel, slander, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment have a one-year deadline. Applying the four-year period to negligence injury claims follows from the statute's text; |
More Wyoming personal injury & wrongful death
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FAQ
Do you have to wear a motorcycle helmet in Wyoming?
Wyoming requires helmets only for minors: no minor may operate or ride on a motorcycle on public highways, streets and thoroughfares unless wearing approved protective headgear securely fastened, and an operator may not let a minor ride without one. Adults are not required to wear helmets under this section. Riders in an enclosed cab, moped riders, autocycles and officially authorized parades are excluded. The section does not address the effect on damages.
Is lane splitting legal in Wyoming?
Lane splitting is banned: no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass a vehicle in the same lane except another motorcycle. Police officers on duty are exempt; motorcycles may not ride three or more abreast in a single lane.
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in Wyoming?
Modified comparative fault (51% bar). A claimant can recover if their fault is not more than 50% of the total fault of all actors; damages are reduced by the claimant's percentage of fault. The jury is told the consequences of its fault percentages.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Wyoming?
Owners must keep a motor vehicle liability policy or bond. Proof of financial responsibility means at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Wyoming?
Four years for an injury to the rights of the plaintiff not arising on contract, which covers most negligence-based injury claims. Assault or battery (other than sexual assault), libel, slander, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment have a one-year deadline.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.