Omaha Car Accident Attorney

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

The severity of injuries sustained and the recovery time often depend on the type of car accident. Simple rear-end collisions are often not as severe as roll over accidents. However, each accident is different, and the facts of your case will dictate the amount of recovery you are eligible to receive.

Severe car accidents lead to extensive recovery time. During this time, you often have to focus solely on your recovery and little else. This may mean the loss of a job. At a minimum, it almost always means lost wages during the many months spent rehabilitating.

As the victim of a terrible car accident, you should not be forced to cover these expenses on your own. The responsible party should be held accountable for their actions.

Car accidents can lead to many different types of injuries, including the following:

• Concussions

• Broken bones

• Burns

• Amputations

• Spinal cord injuries

• Brain injuries

• Internal organ damage

• Soft tissue injuries

If you have received different injuries due to a negligent driver, you can still receive compensation for your losses. We encourage you to take legal action to hold the liable parties accountable for your injuries and related damages, and we can help.

If you need assistance handling your claim and demonstrating liability in your case, the car accident lawyers from Knowles Law Firm can help.

What Causes Car Accidents in Nebraska?

In 2020, nearly 10,000 people were injured and 217 were killed in car crashes in Nebraska. In Nebraska, this number of car crashes is mostly due to one or more of the following factors:

• Intoxication

• Cell phone use

• Distracted driving

• Work zones

• Weather

Car wrecks are not limited to collisions between two motor vehicles; in addition to multi-vehicle accidents, they can also include pedestrian and bicycle accidents, which often result in more severe and life-threatening injuries. An Omaha car accident attorney can help you figure out your next steps while you focus on recovery.

Negligent Drivers

According to Nebraska traffic laws, every driver has a legal duty to reasonably prevent a motor vehicle accident. If a driver is negligent in fulfilling this duty, those injured in a subsequent car accident can bring negligence claims against the at-fault driver.

The most common forms of driver negligence include, but are not limited to:

• Tailgating

• Short stops

• Weaving between lanes of traffic

• Red-light running

Negligence is a complex legal subject involved in almost every car accident claim. Hiring our car accident lawyers can make it easier to illustrate the necessary elements and recover compensation for your auto accident.

Driving Speed

Statistics on speed-related car accidents suggest that more drivers might be adhering to the speed limit.

From 2003 to 2014, the number of speed-related car accidents fell by about 50 percent, from around 1,200 in 2003 to 670 in 2014. This is a promising trend, as it indicates that drivers are following speed limit signs and paying better attention to the road.

The number of fatalities due to speed-related car accidents has remained relatively stable, but the fact that the number of such car accidents is declining is promising.

However, car accidents are still more common than we would like them to be, and therefore all car accident victims should consult with a car accident attorney in Omaha to determine their next steps after an accident.

It is crucial to seek legal advice promptly after a car wreck to ensure claims are filed within the specific time frame required to seek compensation.

Not Wearing a Seat Belt

Nebraska law states that if you fail to wear a seat belt and could have been less injured by wearing it, then your damages can be reduced by up to 5 percent of your total damages. 

Merely failing to wear a seat belt is not in and of itself sufficient to reduce your damages. It is the defendant who must prove by the greater weight of the evidence that you would have been injured less had you been wearing a seat belt.

Can I File a Claim for a Single-Vehicle Crash?

Yes, in some circumstances. Not all motor vehicle accidents in Omaha involve multiple vehicles. As the name implies, a single-vehicle crash only involves one car. This does not mean that an injured victim cannot recover financially from someone other than his or her own insurance provider, however. There could still be the negligence of a third party at play.

Do not assume that you are out of legal options if you get injured in a single-vehicle crash. Instead, contact an Omaha auto accident attorney who can investigate single-vehicle crashes and identify liable parties.

The State or Municipal Government 

If a road hazard or dangerous defect caused your single-vehicle crash, the government agency in charge of maintaining the public roadway may be responsible. It is the government’s duty to properly inspect and maintain public roads, as well as to keep them in a state of good repair.

A Private Property Owner

If your single-vehicle accident took place on private property, such as a privately-owned parking lot or driveway, you may have grounds to file a claim against the private property owner for the same reasons listed above: negligent roadway maintenance and related defects or road debris.

A Vehicle or Auto Part Manufacturer

The manufacturer of your vehicle or a specific car part may also be liable for your single-vehicle collision. For example, they can be held accountable if an investigation finds that a product defect caused or contributed to the crash or severity of your injuries. Common examples include defective tires, brakes, electrical systems, airbags, and seat belts.

A Construction Company

If your single-vehicle collision was caused by a dangerous construction zone on or near the road, such as an uneven shoulder, construction equipment left too close to the road, confusing detours, or a lack of signage, the construction company may be financially responsible for the wreck.

The Owner of the Vehicle

Finally, if you are not the owner of the vehicle, you may have grounds to bring a claim against the owner. This might be possible if you were driving a vehicle owned by someone else that crashed due to poor maintenance. If you were driving a work vehicle, you may be able to hold your employer responsible.

Even if you are found to be partially at fault for your single-vehicle accident in Nebraska, the state has a comparative fault law that can still make you eligible for financial recovery, as long as you are not found to be more than 49 percent responsible.

If you are less than 50 percent at fault, the courts will reduce your monetary recovery by an amount that equals your degree of fault. At 50 percent or higher, however, the courts will bar you from any financial compensation.

Speak to the Best Omaha Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a car accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact the Omaha personal injury attorneys at Knowles Law Firm at your earliest convenience.

Our Omaha car accident lawyers have years of experience in handling car accidents and related personal injury claims. We have a long track record of bringing victims the compensation they need and deserve, so you can trust us to bring you the outstanding results you are looking for.

Give our firm a call at (402) 925-9929 or fill out our contact form to reach out to our Omaha office today. When you connect with us, we can schedule your initial free consultation with an Omaha car accident attorney, during which we will discuss the facts of your case.

We understand that this is a difficult and upsetting time for you, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries. Consulting with experienced Omaha car accident attorneys can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.