Accidents on major roadways are common in Omaha. However, that does not change the fact that when a negligent party causes an accident that results in another’s injuries, they can be held liable for their actions. If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident, an Omaha highway accident lawyer can help. An Omaha car accident lawyer can advocate on your behalf to get you the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.
Common Major Roadway Accidents in Omaha
The most common major roadway in Omaha is Interstate 80 that runs through the heart of Omaha and across the State of Nebraska. Accidents occur on Interstate 80 and adjacent thoroughfares in Omaha every single day.
Interstate 80 is one of the major interstate systems that run across the United States. In Omaha, the major interstate highway system has a significantly higher volume of traffic than is normally found on other standard streets or highways. Omaha is also a crossing point for individuals going north to Sioux City, south to Kansas City, east towards Des Moines and Chicago, or west towards Denver.
After an accident on Interstate 80 or any other major roadway, the first thing a person should do is move their vehicle out of the lane of traffic, if it can be accomplished safely. Vehicles coming up from behind are routinely going 65 miles per hour, or more, and getting out of the vehicle in the middle of the interstate is extremely dangerous. Once everyone is safe, it is important to call police and emergency medical services who can respond to the accident.
How Highway Accidents Happen
With all of the highways and other bypass freeway systems coming in and out of Interstate 80 in Omaha, there many lane changes, shifting lanes, and multiple lanes merging onto the freeway system. Typical accidents on Interstate 80 involve a car merging onto Interstate 80 that fails to account for a vehicle in the lane. The vehicle in the lane is unable to move left to allow the car to merge onto the interstate given the accelerated speed.
Traffic can also be unpredictable on Interstate 80, particularly at rush hour. If a driver is not paying attention, the speed of traffic can go from 65 miles per hour to a crawl with little notice resulting in Omaha rear-end collisions.
Finally, Nebraska has significant inclement weather that makes a vehicle susceptible to hydroplaning, icy patches, or otherwise losing traction. Whenever a driver’s negligence results in a collision, a well-versed car accident lawyer can help bring a claim for compensation against the responsible party.
When someone is in an accident at 65 to 75 miles per hour, the likelihood of significant injury is much higher. Nebraska has interstate speed limits greater than many of the surrounding states, so observing traffic moving too fast for the conditions is not unusual. With the high volume of traffic, the roads become dangerous especially when the weather is bad.
Speak to an Omaha Highway Accident Attorney
Due to high speed, accidents on interstates and highways can be deadly. If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident on a major roadway, an Omaha highway accident lawyer can help you determine your rights. Call Berry Law today for a free consultation to get started.
