Omaha Truck Accident Attorney

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Nebraska

Commercial truck accidents on Nebraska highways happen for reasons that go well beyond driver error. Understanding the cause matters because it determines who can be held liable — and the list of responsible parties is often longer than most victims expect.

• Driver fatigue from violating federal hours of service regulations
• Distracted driving, including mobile device use behind the wheel
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication
• Insufficient driver training by the trucking company
• Poor vehicle maintenance leading to brake failures or tire blowouts
• Improper cargo loading, causing instability or shifting freight
• Speeding or aggressive driving in high-traffic corridors like I-80 and I-480

Our legal team investigates every contributing factor — not just the driver’s actions — to identify all parties whose negligence played a role in your crash.

Types of Truck Accidents We Handle

Not all commercial truck collisions work the same way, and the type of crash often shapes the investigation and the liable parties involved.

• Jackknife accidents — The trailer swings out of alignment with the cab, often triggered by hard braking or slippery roads
• Rollover accidents — High center of gravity and improperly loaded cargo make commercial trucks particularly prone to tipping
• Underride collisions — A passenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer, causing severe or fatal injuries
• Tire blowout crashes — Overloading, under-inflation, or worn treads cause sudden loss of vehicle control
• Rear-end collisions — A fully loaded semi requires up to 40 percent more stopping distance than a passenger car
• Wide-turn accidents — Trucks swinging wide on turns can trap and crush vehicles in adjacent lanes

If you were involved in any of these collision types, the circumstances of the crash — and the chain of liability — deserve a thorough investigation before any settlement is discussed.

Federal Regulations and Liability

Commercial trucking is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Hours of service rules limit drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window, followed by a mandatory 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers operating for carriers running seven days a week cannot exceed 70 hours on duty in eight days before taking a 34-hour reset.

When trucking companies or drivers ignore these rules, the risk of a fatigue-related crash rises sharply. Our attorneys subpoena driver logs, electronic logging device (ELD) data, maintenance records, and company dispatch records to identify violations and build the strongest possible case for your recovery.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Accident

Determining fault in a commercial truck case requires looking well beyond the driver. Nebraska law permits claims against multiple parties when their negligence contributed to a crash.

• The truck driver — for fatigued, distracted, impaired, or reckless driving
• The trucking company — for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate hours of service rules
• The cargo loading company — for improperly secured or overloaded freight
• The vehicle manufacturer — for defective brakes, tires, or other components
• Maintenance contractors — for failing to identify or repair known mechanical problems

Our team pursues every viable source of compensation, including commercial insurance policies that often carry limits far exceeding those in standard auto cases.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Nebraska Truck Accident Case

Nebraska law allows truck accident victims to pursue two categories of compensation. Economic damages cover the direct financial costs of your injuries, including emergency room bills, surgery, physical therapy, future medical care, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent a full return to work. Non-economic damages address the human cost — pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the lasting impact the crash has on your relationships and daily functioning.

Nebraska follows a modified comparative fault rule under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,185.09. As long as your share of fault is below 50 percent, you can still recover damages — though your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Trucking companies and their insurers routinely look for evidence to shift blame onto the victim. Having legal representation from the start protects your claim from those tactics.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Omaha

The decisions you make in the days following a truck crash can significantly affect the strength of your claim. If you are physically able, take these steps.

• Call 911 and request emergency medical assistance, even if you feel fine — many serious injuries have delayed symptoms
• Document the scene with photos: vehicle positions, road conditions, signage, and your injuries
• Collect the truck driver’s CDL number, carrier information, and insurance details
• Get contact information from any witnesses
• Seek medical care immediately and follow all treatment instructions
• Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer without speaking to an attorney first — adjusters are trained to use your words against your claim

The sooner our team can get involved, the better positioned we are to issue a litigation hold letter, preserve electronic logging data, and secure evidence before trucking companies are legally permitted to destroy it.