Douglas County Personal Injury Lawyer

When someone is hurt in a car crash, motorcycle wreck, pedestrian accident, slip and fall, or other incident because of another party’s negligence, he or she could be entitled to financial compensation for his or her injuries. Depending on the nature of the person’s injuries, he or she may suffer significant financial, physical, and emotional losses deserving of reparation.

A skilled Douglas County personal injury lawyer could help you determine your legal rights and options. If you have a viable claim, an experienced attorney can fight for justice on your behalf during each step of injury claim process.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases and Associated Injuries

Some of the most common personal injury cases include injuries resulting from:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Slip and falls

Injuries frequently seen in these types of cases include broken bones, burn injuries, neck injuries, shoulder injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Lacerations, bruising, head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries are also common.

Compensation for Those Injured

When someone is injured because of a negligent individual or entity, he or she could be entitled to numerous types of compensation. These could include the following types of damages:

• Lost income
• Loss of future earning potential
• Medical costs (i.e. ambulance bills, pharmacy costs, therapy expenses, etc.)
• Mental suffering
• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Loss of companionship

Filing Deadlines in Douglas County

Each state establishes strict statutory deadlines which limit a person’s right to file a civil suit for damages. If an injured party does not initiate lawsuit proceedings by the close of the appropriate statutory window, they could forfeit their right to compensatory damages. In accordance with Nebraska Revised Statutes §25-207, a person generally has four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking damages.

However, certain exceptions could apply to the four-year deadline. For example, in cases where a person dies as a result of his or her injuries, Neb. Rev. Stat. §30-810 allows the decedent’s family member or estate representative to file suit with the civil court two years from the date of the victim’s death.

Cases Involving Shared Liability

In some cases, the court may find the injured individual is partially to blame for the accident. If the plaintiff shares fault with the defendant, the state’s modified comparative fault rule would apply. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. §25-21, 185.09, an injured party’s total damage award could be diminished or eliminated based on the degree of liability the court assigns them.

Provided the injured party’s fault in the accident is less than 50 percent, he or she would still be able to collect financial damages. However, his or her compensation would be reduced according to the percentage of fault he or she shares. With that said, if the injured party is found to be 50 percent or more to blame, he or she could be barred from any financial recovery whatsoever.

Reach Out to a Douglas County Personal Injury Attorney

If you were hurt and are unsure how to pursue compensation for your injuries from those responsible, a Douglas County personal injury lawyer could help. An attorney from Berry Law could thoroughly investigate your claim, help you determine whether you may be eligible for compensation, and pursue all parties who may be liable for your injuries. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your options.

You’re injured, not broken.