Omaha Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

How Common Are Drunk Driving Accidents in Nebraska?

Drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of preventable traffic fatalities in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving claimed 13,524 lives in 2022 alone, representing about 32% of all traffic fatalities that year. Nebraska is not immune to this problem, and Omaha roads see their share of impaired drivers, particularly during late-night hours, weekends, and holidays.

What Makes Drunk Driving Accidents So Serious?

Alcohol significantly impairs judgment, reaction time, coordination, and the ability to track moving objects. A driver who is legally intoxicated at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher often cannot respond appropriately to sudden hazards, leading to high-speed collisions, wrong-way accidents, and failure to stop for red lights or pedestrians. The result is frequently catastrophic injury or death.

What Types of Injuries Do Victims Sustain?

The physical toll of a drunk driving collision can be immense. Victims commonly suffer injuries that require months or even years of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Some of the most serious outcomes our clients have experienced include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries: TBI from blunt force trauma can cause lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments that affect every aspect of daily life.
• Spinal cord damage: Injuries to the spine can result in partial or full paralysis, permanently altering a victim’s independence and quality of life.
• Broken bones: High-impact crashes often cause fractures to the limbs, ribs, pelvis, and facial bones, requiring surgery and extended recovery.
• Internal organ injuries: Blunt trauma from steering wheels, dashboards, or seatbelts can rupture or damage internal organs.
• Severe lacerations and burns: Shattered glass and vehicle fires can leave victims with permanent scarring and disfigurement.

No two drunk driving accident cases are identical, and the injuries you sustain will heavily influence the value of your claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident in Omaha?

When an impaired driver causes an accident, victims may be entitled to significant financial recovery. We work to identify every form of compensation available to you under Nebraska law. Depending on the facts of your case, recoverable damages may include medical expenses for past and future treatment, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage. In cases involving a fatality, family members may also have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one.

Can You Sue a Bar or Establishment That Served the Drunk Driver?

Nebraska recognizes dram shop liability in certain circumstances, which means that bars, restaurants, and other licensed alcohol vendors may bear partial responsibility when they serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then causes an accident. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding every drunk driving case, including whether a third party contributed to the driver’s intoxication. Identifying all liable parties is a critical step in maximizing your recovery.