Omaha Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Legally Reviewed By: Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner At Knowles Law Firm
Motorcyclists remain among the least visible vehicles on the road, and many car drivers switch lanes or merge into traffic without spotting smaller motorcycles. Many motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries to riders, highlighting the need for legal protection. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you should consult with an Omaha motorcycle accident attorney to see if you qualify for compensation. Contact Knowles Law Firm for a free initial case review.
Why Choose Our Omaha Motorcycle Accident Attorneys?
At Knowles Law Firm, our Omaha motorcycle accident attorneys have a strong reputation for bringing clients the results and complete compensation they deserve. We know that victims are most likely to receive a strong financial recovery when their lawyers have a solid understanding of their client’s circumstances and needs.
We provide personalized services to our clients, including the following:
- Proven results: We have successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars for past clients
- Depth of experience: Our team brings together over sixty years of combined legal experience
- Focused practice: Our law firm dedicates its resources and energy exclusively to personal injury law
- Insurance management: We handle all communications with insurance companies so you do not have to deal with adjusters directly
- Contingency fee basis: We handle Omaha motorcycle accident claims with no upfront costs, meaning you pay nothing unless we win
If you have any questions about what makes us an excellent choice in your time of need, we encourage you to reach out to Knowles Law Firm. We have a long track record of successfully representing those who retain our services.
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
One thing that makes most motorcycle accident claims different from standard car accident cases is the severity of the injuries involved. Motorcycle accidents often result in serious to catastrophic injuries due to the unprotected nature of the rider.
In personal injury law, a catastrophic injury is one that will have long-term consequences for a victim, such as a permanent disability, the loss of an important bodily function, or lasting scarring or disfigurement. Examples of catastrophic injuries are paralysis and the loss of a limb.
Below is a breakdown of the more common injuries suffered by motorcycle riders and their passengers.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Even with a motorcycle helmet on, a rider could strike his or her head hard enough to cause a traumatic brain injury. A motorcyclist’s head hitting the asphalt, for example, can jolt the brain and damage its tissues and cells. Common types include concussions, diffuse-axonal injuries, coup-contrecoup injuries, edemas, and hemorrhage.
Broken Bones
A bone will fracture or break in an accident if enough pressure is exerted on it. Common motorcycle accident injuries include broken bones in the legs, feet, arms, wrists, ribs, and skulls. A rider striking the ground or another vehicle at high speed can cause multiple or compound fractures, which are painful and can result in temporary or permanent disability.
Muscle Damage
The muscles in the body may stretch, pull, or tear in a motorcycle accident, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and limited mobility in the affected limb. Other soft-tissue injuries are also common, such as pulled tendons and damaged ligaments.
Spinal Cord Injuries
An injury to any part of the spine can cause paralysis or a loss of feeling and motor function. There is no known cure for paralysis. Paraplegia is paralysis from the waist down, while quadriplegia is paralysis from the neck down. Even minor back and neck injuries, such as whiplash or a herniated disc, can be painful and cause temporary disability.
Burns or Road Rash
If a motorcycle accident results in a vehicle fire, the motorcyclist could suffer severe burn injuries. Road rash, where the skin suffers abrasions from contact with the asphalt, is another common injury. A motorcyclist’s unprotected skin scraping across a hard surface can lead to road rash, permanent scarring, and traumatic tattooing.
Amputations
An amputation could result from a motorcycle accident either traumatically at the scene or medically when an injury is too severe to repair. Either way, the loss of a limb has devastating long-term consequences for the victim and their family.
Internal Injuries
The internal organs are susceptible to injuries in a motorcycle accident. A broken rib could puncture a lung, or the motorcyclist could be run over by a car, resulting in crush injuries and internal bleeding. Internal injuries may not show symptoms right away, can be difficult to diagnose, and can cause permanent organ damage.
Some motorcycle accidents are fatal. If you lost a family member in a fatal motorcycle crash in Omaha, the wrongful death attorneys at Knowles Law Firm represent surviving family members to pursue justice and financial compensation.
Injured in an Omaha Motorcycle Accident?
The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm have recovered millions for Nebraska riders. Our family-owned practice gives you direct access to your attorney from day one, not a paralegal. No fees unless we win.
Get a Free ConsultationWho Is Liable in an Omaha Motorcycle Accident?
The liable party for a motorcycle accident depends on its cause. One or more parties could owe you compensation for causing the collision and your related damages, including the following:
- A motor vehicle driver: If you suffered injuries in a collision with a drunk, fatigued, distracted, reckless, or negligent motorist, the driver could be liable for your losses
- A motorcycle manufacturer: Manufacturers may be liable if a defective or malfunctioning part contributed to your accident or injuries
- A road owner: Road owners may be liable if defects like potholes or unsafe construction zones caused the crash — this could be a private party or a government entity
- Other parties: Owner or renter of nearby property, an employer, another motorcyclist, or those responsible for vehicle maintenance
Identifying the correct defendant after a serious motorcycle accident often requires legal investigation. An attorney at Knowles Law Firm can help you identify the parties that may owe you compensation and hold them responsible.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?
Given their minimal protection compared to larger vehicles, motorcyclists are highly susceptible to serious injuries even in minor accidents. The recovery time for these injuries can vary, but often requires weeks or months of medical care.
As a motorcycle injury victim, you should not have to bear the burden of medical expenses and lost wages caused by another’s negligence. Compensation in a motorcycle accident claim typically includes:
- Medical expenses: Current and future medical bills related to your injuries
- Rehabilitation expenses: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other recovery costs
- Lost wages: Income lost while you were unable to work due to your injuries
- Future earnings: Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional impact of your injuries
- Loss of consortium: Damages for the effect your injuries have had on your relationships
A personal injury attorney will help you calculate the amount in damages you are entitled to now and in the future. Do not settle with the insurance company before understanding the full value of your claim.
Steps to Take After an Omaha Motorcycle Accident
The actions you take immediately after a motorcycle accident in Omaha can significantly affect your recovery and your legal claim. Taking the right steps protects both your health and your right to compensation.
- Ensure your safety first: Move to a safe location if possible and call 911 immediately
- Seek medical attention: Get examined even if you feel fine; some injuries, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, may not show immediate symptoms
- Document the scene: Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle positions, road conditions, your injuries, and any property damage
- Collect witness information: Get names and contact details from anyone who saw the crash
- Preserve your riding gear: Keep your helmet, jacket, gloves, and other gear exactly as they are, as they may serve as evidence
- Avoid giving statements to insurance companies: Do not accept blame or describe the accident to the other driver’s insurance until you have spoken with an attorney
- Contact an Omaha motorcycle accident lawyer: The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and build your case
Time is critical after a motorcycle accident. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and insurance companies begin building their defense quickly. Contact Knowles Law Firm as soon as possible to protect your claim.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Omaha
Most motorcycle accidents in Omaha are caused by other drivers failing to share the road safely with riders. The city’s busy streets, including West Dodge Road, I-80, I-480, and I-680, create conditions where inattentive drivers can easily miss or misjudge motorcycles. Understanding how these accidents happen helps establish liability in your claim.
Frequent causes of motorcycle accidents in Omaha include:
- Left-turn collisions: One of the most common scenarios involves a car making a left turn directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle at an intersection
- Unsafe lane changes: Drivers who fail to check their blind spots before merging frequently collide with motorcycles traveling in adjacent lanes
- Rear-end collisions: Distracted or tailgating drivers may not notice a motorcycle has slowed or stopped until it is too late
- Dooring: A parked driver opens their car door without checking for oncoming motorcycle traffic, striking the rider
- Road hazards: Potholes, debris, loose gravel, and wet pavement create disproportionate risks for motorcycles compared to four-wheeled vehicles
- Impaired driving: Drunk or drugged drivers have dramatically reduced reaction times and judgment, making them especially dangerous around motorcycles
Regardless of how your accident occurred, the lawyers at Knowles Law Firm will investigate the cause thoroughly to identify every party whose negligence contributed to your injuries.
Nebraska Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
Nebraska law requires all motorcycle operators to carry minimum liability insurance coverage before riding on public roads. Understanding these requirements helps clarify your options after an accident.
The minimum coverage requirements in Nebraska include:
- $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability
- $25,000 for property damage liability
- A valid motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license
Beyond the minimums, many riders carry additional protection including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage. If the at-fault driver carries only minimum insurance, their policy may not cover all of your losses in a serious injury case. Our attorneys review all available insurance sources to identify every avenue of recovery available to you.
Lane Splitting Laws in Nebraska
Lane splitting, the practice of riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic, is illegal in Nebraska. Unlike some states that permit this maneuver under specific conditions, Nebraska law requires motorcycles to maintain their position within a single lane.
However, illegal lane splitting does not automatically prevent you from recovering damages if another driver’s negligence contributed to the collision. The key factor is determining each party’s degree of fault based on all the circumstances surrounding the accident. Even if lane position played a role, you may still be entitled to compensation if the other driver violated traffic laws or acted negligently. Our attorneys can evaluate whether any traffic violations affected your case and develop strategies to protect your recovery.
Bias Against Motorcyclists
Many car drivers hold unconscious biases against motorcyclists, viewing them as reckless or dangerous regardless of the facts. This prejudice can influence how accidents are investigated and how insurance companies handle claims. Adjusters may automatically assume the motorcyclist was at fault, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
Overcoming this bias requires thorough documentation of the accident scene, traffic conditions, and vehicle positions. The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm understand how to address these challenges and present compelling evidence that supports your claim and accurately reflects what happened.
Over 55 Years Fighting for Nebraska Riders
Knowles Law Firm is a family-owned practice where every attorney is a Knowles. We have secured multi-million dollar results for injury victims throughout Nebraska and handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. No fees unless we win.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationContact Knowles Law Firm for a Free Omaha Motorcycle Accident Consultation
If you or a family member have been injured in a motorcycle accident, do not hesitate to contact the injury attorneys at Knowles Law Firm. Our attorneys have years of experience assisting clients with motorcycle accident claims, and we understand that this may be one of the most serious situations you have ever faced. We are here to help you every step of the way.
We have helped other victims obtain multi-million dollar results, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you. Reach out to Knowles Law Firm today by completing our contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents in Omaha
About Our Attorney
Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner at Knowles Law Firm
Robert has tried cases in both state and federal courts and was selected as one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in Nebraska for 2014 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Less than 1.5 percent of lawyers nationally are selected for this recognition. He is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain. He was also selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2019 Top Rated Lawyer.
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