In a town like Holdrege, life usually feels predictable. You go to work, run errands, attend school events, and enjoy familiar streets and faces. Yet all it takes is one careless act for everything to change. A distracted driver, a slick grocery store floor, or an unsafe workplace can turn an ordinary day into a medical emergency.

Even when you are careful, someone else’s negligence can leave you suddenly facing pain, uncertainty, and unexpected bills. If that has happened to you or someone you love, you should know that Nebraska law gives injury victims the right to pursue compensation from those responsible. Hauptman O’Brien is here to help you understand those rights and take meaningful steps toward recovery.

Our Personal Injury Practice in Holdrege, NE

“Personal injury” is a legal term for situations where someone is harmed because another person or company failed to use reasonable care. The law aims to do two things. First, to compensate the injured person as fully as possible. Second, to discourage others from repeating the same unsafe behavior.

Our attorneys handle a wide range of personal injury matters for clients in and around Holdrege, including:

Car Accidents

Many car crashes in Nebraska happen because a driver is not paying attention. Common causes include texting while driving, talking to passengers, speeding, and failing to yield. A quick moment of distraction can leave you with serious injuries, medical treatment, and a damaged vehicle.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are exposed to greater danger in a collision than occupants of a passenger vehicle. Drivers often claim they “never saw” the motorcycle. Unfortunately, that lack of attention does not excuse the harm that follows. Riders caught in motorcycle crashes frequently suffer broken bones, road rash, and head or spinal injuries.

Commercial Truck Accidents

Collisions with semi trucks and other commercial vehicles can be catastrophic because of their size and weight. These cases often involve multiple parties such as the driver, trucking company, and insurers. Determining who is truly responsible requires careful investigation, knowledge of federal regulations, and experience handling complex claims.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are vulnerable on busy roads, in parking lots, and even in crosswalks. When a vehicle strikes a person on foot, the injuries can be life-changing. Distracted driving, speeding, illegal turns, and failure to yield are often at the root of these tragedies.

Slip and Fall / Premises Liability

Property owners in Nebraska have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for lawful visitors. A slip on a wet floor, trip on broken steps, or fall caused by poor lighting can all give rise to a premises liability claim if the hazard should have been fixed or properly warned about.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Dog bites can cause significant physical and emotional trauma, especially for children. Nebraska law can hold dog owners responsible when their animals injure someone, even if the animal has never bitten before.

Defective Products

When a dangerous product reaches the marketplace, consumers pay the price. Faulty vehicle components, unsafe toys, defective tools, or mislabeled household products can all cause serious harm. Manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to ensure their products are reasonably safe when used as intended.

Medical Malpractice

Healthcare providers are expected to meet a professional standard of care. When a doctor, nurse, or facility fails to meet that standard, the result may be misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, or other preventable harm. These cases are complex and often require expert testimony.

Workplace Injuries and Wrongful Death

If you are hurt on the job, workers’ compensation may be available, but it is not always enough. There may also be third parties whose negligence contributed to your injury. In the most heartbreaking situations, negligence leads to a loss of life. Wrongful death claims seek justice and financial protection for surviving family members.

This is not an exhaustive list. If you have been hurt because someone else was careless, the personal injury lawyers at Hauptman O’Brien can evaluate your situation and explain your options.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to Receive

When another person or company causes you harm, you should not be left to carry the financial burden alone. A fair settlement or verdict aims to cover both measurable financial losses and the real human impact of your injury.

Economic damages are the financial losses you can often document with bills, receipts, or pay records, such as:

  • Emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, and follow-up care
  • Future medical treatment, rehabilitation, or therapy
  • Lost wages when you cannot work during recovery
  • Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your prior job
  • Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury

Non-economic damages recognize that not all losses are purely financial. An injury can affect your daily life, relationships, and future plans. Depending on the case, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Physical pain and ongoing discomfort
  • Emotional distress and anxiety
  • Loss of enjoyment of life and hobbies
  • Impact on your relationship with a spouse or family
  • Grief and loss associated with a wrongful death

In rare cases, Nebraska law may also allow punitive damages in certain types of claims outside the usual personal injury context. An experienced attorney can review your specific facts and provide guidance about the forms of compensation that may be available.

Time Limitation for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Nebraska

Every state sets deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as statutes of limitation. Nebraska is no exception. If you wait too long to take action, you may lose your right to seek compensation altogether, no matter how strong your case would have been.

In many Nebraska negligence cases, such as typical car accident claims, you generally have four years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Wrongful death claims usually have a shorter deadline, and certain types of cases, like medical malpractice, follow their own specific rules and timeframes. There can also be special notice requirements if a government entity is involved.

These deadlines may sound generous, but serious injury cases take time to investigate and build. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can become hard to locate, and medical issues may take months to fully understand. The safest approach is to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident in Holdrege. Your attorney can identify which deadlines apply to your case and make sure your claim is filed on time.

Do Not Face the Insurance Company Alone

Insurance companies are not neutral referees. Their goal is to resolve claims for as little as possible. You might receive a quick phone call and a settlement offer before you even know the full cost of your medical treatment. While that money can be tempting, accepting too soon can leave you without enough to cover future needs.

Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that may downplay your injuries or shift some of the blame onto you. They may request a recorded statement or broad access to your medical history. Without legal guidance, it can be easy to say something that harms your case later, even if you are simply trying to be polite and cooperative.

When you let Hauptman O’Brien handle communication with insurers, you no longer have to worry about saying the wrong thing or missing an important detail. Our attorneys understand the tactics insurers use and know how to respond in a way that protects your interests.

Why Choose Hauptman O’Brien for a Holdrege Personal Injury Case

A serious injury touches every part of your life. It affects more than bones and muscles. It can keep you out of work, strain your relationships, and leave you uncertain about how you will move forward. You deserve a law firm that sees the whole picture and treats your case as your story, not just another file.

Clients choose our firm because we offer:

  • Seasoned trial lawyers who are prepared to take a case to court when insurers refuse to be fair
  • Personalized attention from attorneys who listen, return calls, and keep you informed
  • Thorough investigation using experts, records, and evidence to strengthen your claim
  • Smart negotiation aimed at securing maximum compensation, not just the quickest settlement

From the first meeting through final resolution, our focus remains steady. We work to protect your rights and pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Contact a Holdrege, NE Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in Holdrege because someone else was careless, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the future can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to recover physically and emotionally. We also serve other communities in Nebraska, including O’Neill, Cozad, Broken Bow, Kearney, and beyond.

The personal injury attorneys at Hauptman, O’Brien are ready to stand beside you during this difficult time. We offer free consultations, and you pay no attorney fees unless we obtain a recovery for you. Our team can meet with you at our offices, by phone, or at your home or hospital if needed. Call us at (402) 241-5020 to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.