Unfortunately, some of the most catastrophic injuries result from motorcycle accidents. Focusing on healing can be difficult when you are worried about medical bills and other mounting expenses, especially if you’re also out of work because of your injuries. The situation can become even more stressful with insurance problems and lawyers knocking on your door.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Omaha, call 402-466-8444
A persistent motorcycle accident lawyer in Omaha, NE can help bikers hurt in a crash pursue compensation from at-fault motorists. If retained, our personal injury attorneys will work to obtain the appropriate compensation for your losses with as little stress as possible.
Protections for Motorcycle Riders in Omaha
All the State of Nebraska drivers assume a duty to protect all other people they encounter while on the road. While many people believe that motorcyclists are not included in this category, the fact remains that bikers are owed the same protection and consideration as any other motor vehicle operator.
As a result, motorcyclists have the right to demand compensation from any driver who causes a crash and injures them. To accomplish this, an injured motorcycle rider must prove that the at-fault driver was negligent. Negligence is a legal term with a strict definition and centers around the duty that all drivers owe to others on the road.
A local attorney can provide significant assistance in gathering evidence of negligence to support your motorcycle collision claim. Examples of evidence typically utilized in motorcycle accident cases may include but are not limited to
- A police report
- Witness statements
- Photographs of the accident scene, including the resting position of the vehicles.
Regardless of the evidence used in the claim, you should act quickly. According to Nebraska Revised Statutes §25-207, also known as the statute of limitations, all claims must be submitted to the court within four years of the accident. If you fail to submit your claim on time, you may be barred from seeking damages and recovering any compensation.
Recoverable Damages After a Local Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident in Omaha can have a devastating effect on the rider and any passengers. While bikers must wear a helmet in Nebraska, protective gear often fails to adequately protect bikers during a collision with another motor vehicle. Even at low speeds, an accident can knock a rider out of their seat and onto the road, often causing severe cuts and scrapes as well as potential joint sprains and broken bones.
High-speed collisions, meanwhile, can threaten a rider’s life. These may result in them being trapped under another vehicle, pushed into other cars, or even pushed into buildings. Typical injuries in these instances include broken bones, separated joints, amputations, and spinal cord injuries.
Who Is at Fault in a Motorcycle Accident?
A motorcyclist injured in an accident may have legal recourse against any or all of the following, depending on the case’s specifics:
- The careless motorist who caused the collision.
- If a problem with the bike contributed to the crash, the manufacturer would be responsible.
- The authorities, if unsafe road conditions, had a role in the accident.
- If a manufacturing flaw in the motorbike contributed to the crash, the dealer is responsible.
Does Nebraska Have a Helmet Rule?
The state of Nebraska mandates helmet use for all motorcyclists. (Though this is challenged nearly every year, it is still in effect in Nebraska.) A penalty is possible if you’re caught riding without a helmet regardless of whether you end up in an accident.
If you were not wearing a safety helmet during your motorbike accident, your insurance company might say that you are not entitled to compensation. This, however, is false. Even if a rider wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of an accident, they are nonetheless protected under Nebraska law.
Because of Nebraska’s comparative fault law, you may still seek compensation even if it is determined that you were somewhat at fault (such as by failing to wear a helmet). Even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, a motorcycle accident attorney in Omaha, NE, will fight for the compensation you deserve.
What if a Motorcyclist Passes Away in an Omaha Collision?
When a motorcyclist suffers a wrongful death due to another driver’s negligence, the biker’s surviving family may initiate a compensation claim. A representative of the decedent’s estate would be the one to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family. A motorcyclist’s surviving loved ones may recover a variety of compensation.
For example, you could claim compensation for expenses associated with the motorcyclist’s injuries before death, including their hospital bills and the cost of the funeral and burial. Other damages, such as emotional anguish, mental distress, and reduced financial support due to the motorcyclist’s passing, may also be recoverable with the assistance of a skilled lawyer.
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Nebraska
In Nebraska, you must have motorcycle insurance. All drivers in Nebraska are required to have the following coverage:
- Liability insurance of $25,000 for bodily injuries
- $25,000 in coverage for property damage
Some policyholders may have higher limits. You might want to consult a motorcycle wreck lawyer if you think the settlement offer isn’t enough. We can talk to insurance adjusters, review your policy, and go to trial on your behalf.
What Factors Determine the Value of a Local Motorcycle Crash Case Settlement?
Various factors can impact the value of a motorcycle crash settlement in Omaha. It should also be noted that no two settlements are exactly alike because the facts of each local motorcycle crash case could vary greatly. The severity of a biker’s injuries, the extent of the treatment required, the medical costs incurred as a result, and other financial losses attributed to the accident will directly impact the value of their case.
Compensation awarded in a successful motorcycle collision case may cover any accident-related medical expenses. However, the full value of a case incorporates the economic impact of the crash and the emotional trauma endured in the process. Intangible losses like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life may be available as recoverable damages, depending on your case’s circumstances.
How an Omaha Motorcycle Injury Lawyer Can Help
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be frightening and confusing. You may be dealing with mountains of paperwork and significant lost wages that throw your life into chaos. The defendant’s insurance company may be trying to force a quick settlement for a token sum, or they may deny responsibility for the incident altogether.
Reach out to an Omaha motorcycle accident lawyer today to start your case and find out how you could receive compensation to cover lost wages, medical bills, anticipated future needs, and intangible losses such as pain and suffering. Call Berry Law today for your free consultation.
Call or text 402-466-8444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form