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Omaha Car Accident Attorney

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Attorney Robert M Knowles
Last Updated: December 6, 2024
Legally Reviewed By: Robert M. Knowles

Attorney & Partner At Knowles Law Firm

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, involving complex legal, medical, and insurance issues all demanding immediate attention. From understanding your rights to securing the compensation you deserve, we’ll provide the insights you need to make informed decisions. Our aim is to empower you with knowledge and support, helping you move forward confidently after a car accident.

At Knowles Law Firm, we understand how stressful car accidents can be and are committed to helping you navigate your rights and options. Join us as we delve into the crucial aspects of car accident law in Omaha, discuss common challenges victims face, and offer practical recommendations on handling insurance claims and legal proceedings. We encourage you to get in touch with us if you need legal support during this difficult time.

Do You Need an Omaha Car Accident Attorney?

If you have been in a car accident, you may want to obtain compensation for your losses and injuries associated with the incident. We encourage you to work with an attorney during legal matters, as this will make it much easier to receive compensation and maximize your financial recovery.

When you work with an attorney from Knowles Law Firm, we can assist you in many ways.

Our services include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Conduct an independent investigation into the accident
  • Negotiate with every party to recover a satisfactory settlement
  • Prepare your case for court
  • Collect evidence to prove liability
  • Consult with experts to determine the full scope of your damages
  • Assure that all documents are filed correctly and promptly
  • Communicate with the other parties on your behalf
  • Work with your healthcare providers to obtain any missing records
  • Access research methods and tools only available to legal professionals
  • Quicker delivery of documents from law enforcement and doctors

If you’ve been involved in an accident, contact an Omaha car accident lawyer from Knowles Law Firm to help you build your case.

  • No fees unless we win your car accident case
  • 100% free consultation
  • Millions recovered for families
  • Less stress
  • Reduced time spent in litigation
  • Maximized compensation

We encourage you to refrain from representing yourself during legal matters as self-representation frequently results in reduced compensation. However, when you work with a lawyer, such as a car accident attorney from Knowles Law Firm, you can receive complete financial recovery and focus solely on healing from your injuries.

Please feel free to contact Knowles Law Firm at your earliest convenience, as the more time we have to dedicate to your case, the better we can represent you. Contacting us earlier allows us to understand your specific needs better, collect evidence and information related to your claim, and advise you on the appropriate steps to take to maximize your recovery. 

Give us a free call now and speak to one of our attorneys to hear how we can help you.

WATCH: James W. Knowles Jr. explains how they handle all personal injuries related to car accident claims. Robert Knowles shares the importance of calling their Omaha legal team on day one. 

Why Do I Need an Omaha Car Accident Attorney?

A lawyer will be able to help ensure you are paid fairly, as insurance companies will be less likely to take advantage of you. If possible, we encourage you to work with a lawyer before speaking with insurance, as we can provide guidance and support. At the very least, you should talk with an attorney before accepting any settlement offers. 

It is crucial to consult with experienced Omaha car accident attorneys to protect your legal rights and obtain fair compensation.

If you’ve been involved in an accident, contact an Omaha car accident lawyer to help you build your case.

An attorney from Knowles Law Firm can support you in many ways throughout the legal process, including but not limited to the following:

  • Conduct an independent investigation into the accident

  • Negotiate with every party to recover a satisfactory settlement

  • Collect evidence to prove liability

  • Consult with experts to determine the full scope of your damages

  • Assure that all documents are filed correctly and promptly

  • Work with your healthcare providers to obtain any missing records

  • Organize and present the evidence to prove liability and damages

  • Access research methods and tools only available to legal professionals

  • Quicker delivery of documents from law enforcement and doctors

  • An understanding of the legal system and how to make it work for you

We strongly encourage you to refrain from representing yourself during legal matters of any kind, especially those surrounding severe injuries. Self-representation, whether you are hurt or not, can quickly result in less-than-ideal outcomes for your claim.

However, when you work with a car accident lawyer from Knowles Law Firm, you can receive complete compensation, spend less time in litigation, and reduce stress.

When you work with us, we provide a free consultation and work on contingency, meaning you only pay for our services when you win your case. Your well-being and healing are our top priorities, so don’t hesitate to contact Knowles Law Firm and retain our invaluable support.

What Type of Compensation Can I Receive From a Car Accident Claim in Omaha?

These injuries have the potential to severely restrict your ability to function normally in the future and you may have to learn a whole new way of life. You should not have to think about the hassle of all of the paperwork, dealing with insurance companies and their team of well-trained adjusters, and filing your car accident claim.

An experienced personal injury attorney can assist you in handling the entire process of filing a claim with the insurance company of the negligent driver, gathering witness statements, and dealing with insurance companies while seeking compensation for your car accident injuries.

Insurance companies for the other driver will often hound victims to sign paperwork. It is important that you not sign any documents from the responsible party before speaking with an experienced auto accident attorney.

The insurance company may tempt you with the offer of immediate monetary compensation for your injuries while a legal dispute may take months to settle, but the amount the insurance company offers is often much lower than the amount you are entitled to receive for your injuries.

As a victim of a car accident, you may be entitled to receive the following forms of compensation:

  • Medical expenses

  • Rehabilitation expenses

  • Lost wages

  • Future earnings

  • Pain and suffering

  • Loss of consortium

An insurance company cannot offer the type of compensation to cover these expenses without further documentation, and therefore a legal claim will often have to be filed in order to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

How Does a Car Accident Lawyer Prove Liability and Obtain Compensation?

When you enter litigation related to your car accident, hiring an Omaha auto accident attorney is crucial. A car accident attorney will gather evidence, prepare arguments, and advocate for comprehensive compensation. You must prove that a few essential elements are accurate to receive compensation. We can break down these four pieces of the puzzle so you have a more robust understanding of how to establish liability.

Duty of Care

Duty of care is the general responsibility someone owes to another person’s safety and well-being. On the road, all drivers have a duty of care to each other to maintain safe road and driving conditions. This duty includes following speed limits, keeping your vehicle in good working order, following traffic signs, and not driving while drowsy. Many other additional responsibilities are associated with a driver’s duty of care.

Negligence

When someone breaches their duty of care in some way, they are negligent. Negligence generally means that there is an increased risk of serious harm to others when best practices are not adhered to or followed. For example, texting while driving increases the risk of a crash for all drivers on the road at that time. It may be difficult to prove someone is negligent without adequate evidence.

Causation

Negligence does not automatically mean someone will get hurt, and an injury does not inherently imply someone has breached the duty of care. You must demonstrate that someone’s negligence directly impacted your injuries, either in their presence or severity. This can also apply to chronic medical problems that have worsened due to the incident.

Generally, you can prove causation by seeking medical attention and referencing the timestamps on any documentation. The closer your care to the accident, the more substantial the evidence will appear in legal settings.

Economic Loss

While you can also receive compensation for non-economic damages, you must first demonstrate that you face monetary losses due to the accident. Economic damages are those with clear monetary value, such as medical bills, reduced pay from time off work, property damage repair, and court fees.

Once you have established a presence of economic loss, you can also receive compensation for non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include emotional distress, pain and suffering, changes to quality of life, and other similar losses.

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:

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:

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.

 

"Everything happened so suddenly! After my car accident, I found myself hurt and confused. Luckily, I found an attorney who truly cares for his clients. Bob Knowles was able to provide me with guidance to get the help I needed. Anytime I had questions or concerns, no matter how small, Bob was always available to help me through this traumatizing experience."
— Karen O.
Past Car Accident Client

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Omaha

How long after an accident can you sue?

In Omaha, Nebraska, you typically have 4 years from the date of the accident to initiate a lawsuit for personal injury, including those related to car accidents. Consulting a car accident lawyer can provide valuable guidance on navigating these legal processes within the required time frame.

Is Nebraska a no-fault state for car accidents?

No, Nebraska is not a no-fault state for car accidents. Instead, Nebraska follows a comparative fault system, meaning that each driver involved in an accident can be assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions. This system allows individuals to seek compensation for damages even if they share some responsibility for the accident.

What happens if the person at fault in an accident has no insurance?

If you’re involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, you’ll likely need to file an uninsured motorist claim using your own uninsured motorist coverage to address any resulting damages.

Can I still recover damages if I’m partially at fault for the car accident?

Yes, in Nebraska, you can still recover damages even if you’re partially at fault for a car accident. However, the amount you can recover may be reduced proportionally based on your degree of fault.

Key Takeaways About Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

  • Car accidents in Nebraska often result from intoxication, cell phone use, distracted driving, work zones, and weather, including incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.

  • Nebraska law may reduce damages if seat belt non-use contributed to injuries, and rear-end collisions, often caused by inattention, are prevalent among young and elderly drivers.

  • We recommend you utilize robust strategies to improve your legal outlook, such as by staying offline, keeping evidence organized, filing the appropriate reports, and speaking carefully with insurance companies, especially the other driver’s insurance company. Avoid speaking directly with the other driver’s insurance company and seek assistance from an experienced car accident lawyer to handle your claims effectively.

  • At Knowles Law Firm, we specialize in handling various complexities of car accident claims, assisting victims through recovery and legal challenges to secure rightful compensation.

Attorney Robert M Knowles
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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