At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, we know that every personal injury claim is personal. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Kearney, NE, are dedicated to fighting for your rights and helping you seek compensation for your injuries. 

When you’re injured in an accident that was not your fault, you deserve fair compensation and justice. Whether you have suffered from car accidents, motorcycle accidents, or wrongful death, our law firm is here to guide you through Nebraska personal injury law every step of the way.

Understanding Nebraska Personal Injury Law

Nebraska personal injury law is designed to protect the rights of accident victims. In Nebraska, a personal injury claim can arise from a motor vehicle accident, a slip-and-fall, or any incident in which negligence causes injuries. 

When an accident occurs, you may be entitled to compensation for the following and more:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering 

We can work with you to build a strong case that covers all aspects of your personal injury. Our law firm handles a wide range of personal injury cases across Nebraska.

Some of our most common cases include:

  • Motor vehicle accidents: Whether you are involved in a single-vehicle accident or a collision with multiple vehicles, including trucks, motorcycles, etc, our personal injury attorney team investigates every detail.
  • Bicycle and pedestrian accidents: Cyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable on the road. We represent those injured due to negligent drivers, helping them recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
  • Wrongful death cases: The loss of a loved one is heartbreaking. In wrongful death cases, our attorneys work hard to secure compensation for the family to cover medical expenses and funeral costs.
  • Slip-and-falls: Premises liability claims for slip-and-fall accidents are common in Nebraska. If a property owner fails to maintain safe conditions, you have the right to seek compensation.
  • Other personal injury cases: We also handle back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other personal injury claims that result from negligence.

Every personal injury case is unique, and our attorneys take the time to understand your specific situation. Our goal is to ensure that you receive fair compensation that reflects the true value of your losses.

Negligence and Comparative Fault in Nebraska

Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are partially at fault, you can still recover compensation provided your share of the fault is less than 50 percent. If you are partially at fault for an accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. 

Our personal injury attorney will work with you to determine the exact percentage of fault and challenge any attempts by the insurance company to unfairly shift blame.

In addition, Nebraska personal injury law holds all parties accountable if negligence is proven. If a driver does not adapt to adverse conditions or a property owner fails to maintain safe premises, you may seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. 

Our personal injury attorneys analyze every detail of your case so that you do not end up with a settlement that falls short of what you deserve.

The Role of Insurance Claims in Your Case

Understanding your insurance policy is key to a successful personal injury claim. Nebraska law requires that insurance policies cover the losses suffered due to negligence. 

Common types of insurance policies include:

  • Liability insurance: Covers damages to others if you are found at fault
  • Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle regardless of fault
  • Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage from non-collision events, such as falling debris
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage: Protects you if the other driver has insufficient insurance
  • Medical payments (MedPay) and Personal Injury Protection (PIP): These policies cover medical expenses and lost wages

The role of insurance adjusters in personal injury claims is to evaluate the damage and offer settlements based on their assessments. 

When you file an insurance claim, an insurance adjuster from an insurance company will review the details of your accident. Unfortunately, many adjusters try to protect the insurance company’s bottom line, often resulting in a settlement offer that does not cover all your medical expenses and other losses.

Adjusters may try to argue that the accident was caused by factors beyond the insurer’s control, such as bad weather or driver error. A claims adjuster may even use your recorded statement or police reports to argue that your injuries are less severe.

Our personal injury attorneys know that your goal is to secure fair compensation that reflects all your losses. We work with experts to gather comprehensive evidence and counter any tactics used by the insurance company.

How to Strengthen Your Personal Injury Claim

There are several key steps you should take after an accident to ensure your personal injury claim is strong:

Gather evidence immediately by:

  • Taking photographs of the accident scene, including all visible damage to vehicles and property
  • Recording weather conditions and any signs of reduced visibility or wet pavement
  • Collecting witness statements with full contact details
  • Securing police reports as soon as possible

Seek medical attention:

  • Even if you feel fine, injuries like back injuries or soft-tissue injuries may not be immediately apparent
  • Keep detailed medical records and bills, as these documents are critical for seeking compensation
  • Document every medical expense, from emergency room visits to follow-up treatments

Taking these steps will not only help gather the necessary evidence but also demonstrate that you have acted responsibly. This, in turn, strengthens your case when you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

The Impact of Medical Expenses and Lost Wages

After an accident, one of the most significant burdens you may face is medical expenses. Whether you have sustained a back injury from a car accident or suffered other injuries in a motorcycle accident, medical bills can quickly accumulate. 

Your personal injury claim should include all related medical expenses, as well as any future costs you might incur. Lost wages are another critical element. 

If an accident prevents you from working, you are entitled to compensation for the income you have lost. However, insurance adjusters may try to undervalue your claim. 

Remember: Do not settle too quickly. Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement that does not reflect the full extent of your damages.

It is important to wait for a comprehensive evaluation by experienced personal injury lawyers before accepting any settlement offer. Our personal injury attorney can ensure that your personal injury claims reflect the full cost of your medical expenses and lost wages, so you have a way to seek fair compensation for every dollar lost.

How to Seek Compensation Through a Free Consultation

At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, we understand that every personal injury case is unique. We offer free consultations to help you understand your rights under Nebraska personal injury law. During your consultation with us, our attorneys will review your case, discuss your options, and help you determine the best strategy to seek compensation.

Our attorneys will then investigate and gather evidence using detailed police reports, medical records, and witness statements to establish negligence and build a case showing that you are entitled to fair compensation.

It is critical to act quickly in personal injury cases due to Nebraska’s statute of limitations for filing a claim. Our personal injury lawyers in Kearney, NE, can help you file your claim within the required timeframe so that you do not lose your right to seek compensation.

Our law firm is committed to ensuring that every personal injury claim is handled with care and precision. Whether you have suffered a slip and fall injury, a medical malpractice claim, or experienced other injuries, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is ready to help you secure fair compensation.

Our Commitment to You and Your Family

At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, we believe that your family’s well-being is paramount. We understand that dealing with injuries can be overwhelming. 

Our attorneys have a proven track record in handling personal injury claims across greater Nebraska, including cases in Lincoln and throughout the state. We take pride in our ability to deliver fair compensation for injuries, ensuring that every client is treated with the utmost care and respect. 

If you have been injured in an accident and need a personal injury lawyer in Kearney, NE, you can count on Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, to fight for your rights. We also serve the nearby cities, including Grand Island, Hastings, North Platte, and Scottsbluff. With our free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation, you can trust that our law firm is fully dedicated to your case. Don’t let the tactics of insurance adjusters or a low settlement offer prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation. Let our personal injury attorneys help you secure the fair compensation your case is worth. Trust Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, to be your partner in justice across Nebraska.