Frequently Asked Questions
Serious matters raise practical questions before they raise legal ones. These answers explain how Dallas works, what kinds of matters he considers, and why timing and evidence can matter. They are general information, not legal advice about a particular matter.
Working with Dallas
What kinds of matters does Dallas Laird handle?
Dallas’s current Wyoming practice focuses on serious injury and wrongful death; truck and commercial vehicle litigation; criminal defense; and civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse. He evaluates each matter individually.
Does Dallas handle matters outside Casper?
Yes. Dallas handles serious civil and criminal matters across Wyoming.
Will I speak directly with Dallas?
Yes. Dallas speaks directly with prospective clients. If he accepts the case, he remains personally responsible for it.
Is there a charge for the initial conversation?
No. There is no charge for an initial conversation. The purpose is to understand what happened, explain what Dallas sees, and discuss what comes next. An initial conversation does not itself mean Dallas has agreed to represent you.
What should I have ready when I call?
You do not need a finished file. A short timeline, important dates, the names of people, companies, agencies, or insurers involved, and any court papers, notices, police reports, claim letters, or insurance communications can help orient the conversation.
Keep original materials. Please do not email documents or confidential or highly sensitive information. If Dallas needs additional information, he can explain what is needed next.
Timing and evidence
Why can timing matter even if I am still figuring out what happened?
Legal deadlines are not the same for every claim. Wyoming law sets different limitation and notice rules for different matters, including wrongful death, claims involving governmental entities, and civil actions based on sexual assault against a minor.
Evidence can disappear on a different timetable. It is better to ask about timing early than to assume there is plenty of time.
Why is early evidence preservation especially important in truck and commercial vehicle cases?
Important evidence may be held by the driver, motor carrier, maintenance provider, insurer, or other companies. Depending on the case, that can include electronic logging data, dispatch and trip records, electronic communications, inspection and maintenance records, vehicle data, and company policies.
Federal motor-carrier rules require certain electronic logging-device records and supporting documents to be retained for six months. Other records may follow different retention schedules. Early preservation can matter.
What if someone says I was partly at fault for an injury?
An allegation of fault does not automatically end a Wyoming injury or wrongful-death claim.
Under Wyoming’s comparative-fault statute, a claimant whose fault is not more than 50 percent of the total fault may still recover damages, with any recovery reduced in proportion to the claimant’s fault.
How fault is allocated depends on the evidence and the law that applies to the case.
Can an older civil claim involving childhood sexual abuse still be evaluated?
Possibly. Wyoming has a special limitations provision for civil actions based on sexual assault against a minor, including a discovery-based period.
Other legal theories and defendants can involve different rules. An older claim should not be assumed timely or untimely without reviewing the facts and law.
Criminal defense and case evaluation
What does Dallas’s experience on both sides of criminal cases mean?
Dallas has served as a City of Casper prosecutor, a Wyoming public defender, and a special prosecuting attorney in Converse County. In private practice, he has defended people facing serious criminal charges.
That experience helps him examine how a prosecution is built, where assumptions may enter the case, and what changes when evidence and witnesses are tested.
Should I wait until I have every document before contacting Dallas?
No. If there is a court date, investigation, claim deadline, evidence-preservation issue, or other time-sensitive event, waiting for a perfect file can create unnecessary risk.
Start with what happened and what you know now.
Do past results mean the same outcome is likely in another case?
No. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter depends on its own facts and law.
Contact
How do I contact Dallas?
Call 307-265-6352 or use the email link on the Contact page to arrange an initial conversation.
Please do not email documents or confidential or highly sensitive information.