Omaha Truck Accident Lawyers - Hauptman, O'Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC
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Dedicated Omaha Truck Accident Attorneys Serving All of Nebraska

Unlike passenger vehicles, large trucks like semis have unique features that make them especially dangerous on the road and in an accident.

If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a collision with a large truck in Nebraska, it’s advisable to consult our truck accident lawyers before speaking with an insurance company representative or accepting a settlement offer. Each of the Omaha truck accident lawyers at Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC is dedicated to helping injury victims recover the financial peace of mind they need.

Call us today at (402) 241-5020 or contact us online to tell us your story and schedule your FREE consultation.

How Our Omaha Truck Accident Attorneys Build You a Strong Case

If you have been involved in a truck accident in Omaha, you could be entitled to compensation for the damages you have incurred. Pursuing compensation isn’t easy to do on your own. It helps to have the direction of one of our experienced truck accident lawyers throughout your case. You can trust that we will fight hard for you and your rights against the powerful opposing insurance companies. 

Our truck accident lawyers will be at your side throughout the entire process, and we will:

  • Investigate the crash and gather critical evidence before it disappears
  • Identify all liable parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, contractors, or government entities
  • Review and secure evidence such as driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, and trucking company safety records
  • Work with truck accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to strengthen your claim
  • Deal with insurance companies on your behalf, handling communication and negotiations
  • Calculate the full value of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs
  • Aggressively negotiate for a fair settlement while protecting your rights at every stage
  • Prepare your case for trial if the insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation

When you work with Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, you are not just hiring legal representation — you are gaining a team that will stand beside you throughout the entire process. We are committed to helping injured victims and their families move forward after devastating truck accidents. While you focus on healing, our Omaha truck accident attorneys will focus on building the strongest case possible for you.

What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

“Large trucks” are commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of greater than 10,000 pounds. These trucks are also commonly known as semis, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers.

Other types of large trucks that pose severe injury risks to passenger vehicle occupants in the event of an accident include:

In addition to their size and weight compared with passenger vehicles, many large trucks have other attributes that make them especially dangerous in accident scenarios:

  • Tractor-trailers and other big trucks require longer stopping distances
  • The air brakes used in many big rigs can fail without proper maintenance
  • Freight can shift with sudden movements and affect a truck’s maneuverability
  • Cargo may include toxic or otherwise hazardous materials that compound the severity of an accident and resulting injuries

Accidents involving large commercial vehicles continue to pose a serious risk on Nebraska roadways. While heavy truck crashes historically account for only about 4.4% of all traffic accidents in the state, they are linked to roughly 15% of fatal crashes, highlighting the disproportionate severity of these collisions. Preliminary 2025 data from the Nebraska Department of Transportation shows approximately 227 roadway fatalities statewide, a nearly 10% decrease from 2024, but still a significant public safety concern. Douglas County recorded approximately 67 traffic fatalities in 2025, which remains the highest number for any single county in the state.

Nebraska also ranked 8th in the nation for large truck crash rates in a recent five-year analysis, averaging 6.89 crashes per 100,000 licensed truck drivers. Rural roads remain especially dangerous, with about 67% of fatal crashes in 2025 occurring in rural areas. 

Speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, and severe winter weather continue to contribute to serious truck accidents across the state. Work zones are another concern, with Nebraska reporting 589 work zone crashes in 2025 alone.

omaha truck accident lawyer

Common Nebraska Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries because of the massive size and weight of commercial vehicles. Many victims face painful physical limitations, emotional trauma, and long-term medical treatment after a crash. Common injuries seen in Nebraska truck accidents include:

  • Neck and spinal cord injuries: Can cause chronic pain, numbness, reduced mobility, or partial to complete paralysis.
  • Broken, fractured, and shattered bones: Severe fractures may require surgery, rehabilitation, and lengthy recovery periods.
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Head trauma can lead to confusion, headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and cognitive impairment.
  • Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma may damage organs, cause internal bleeding, and require emergency medical treatment.
  • Soft tissue injuries: Torn ligaments, muscle damage, and whiplash can create lasting pain and limited movement.
  • Wrongful death: Fatal truck accidents leave families facing emotional loss and unexpected financial hardships.

Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, but delaying treatment can make recovery more difficult. At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, our truck accident attorneys understand the devastating impact these injuries can have on victims and their families. We are committed to helping injured clients pursue the compensation they need to recover, rebuild, and move forward with confidence.

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More Than One Party Can Be Responsible for Your Injuries

For truck accidents that occur in Omaha and throughout Nebraska, our truck accident lawyers can determine if one or more of the following parties were responsible for your accident:

  • The Truck Driver: Just like the rest of us, truck drivers have a responsibility to maintain their duty of care for those around them. When a truck driver behaves negligently behind the wheel and causes an accident, he or she may be held responsible for damages.
  • The Trucking Company: Many trucking companies have been found guilty of making their drivers adhere to unrealistic travel schedules. Because of this, truck drivers experience fatigue, which can result in accidents. If our semi truck accident lawyers investigate your case and determine that the trucking company was negligent, and consequently caused your accident, we can hold them liable.
  • Shipping Company: Overloaded cargo and misloaded cargo are both common causes of truck accidents. Based on the circumstances of the accident and an investigation by a commercial trucking attorney, we can hold the cargo loading company liable for damages if we determine that improperly loaded cargo may have caused the accident.
  • Truck Manufacturers: If a truck is poorly manufactured, it can be a serious hazard to everyone on the road. This can include faulty axles, trailers, tires, and more. Our experienced truck accident lawyers will investigate to determine if an equipment malfunction or product defect was the cause of the accident. Our truck accident attorneys aren’t afraid to take on large companies to get you the compensation you deserve.

This list is not exhaustive, and there could be other parties responsible for the truck accident in which you were involved. However, these are the most common. At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, our truck accident attorneys are committed to serving our clients with aggressive representation. We will do everything we can to recover the compensation your case deserves.

Omaha Truck Accident Lawyers

How Our Omaha Truck Accident Lawyers Negotiate With Insurance Companies on Your Behalf

If your truck accident case involves multiple parties, negotiation with multiple insurance companies will likely be the result. Between trucking company insurers, commercial liability carriers, and other involved parties, the claims process can quickly become stressful and confusing. While this could be more than overwhelming for you, leave it to our experienced truck crash lawyers to get the job done. Our attorneys know how to negotiate with multiple insurance companies and will work hard to gather the compensation you deserve from each one of them. When we handle your truck accident case, and we deal with insurance adjusters, this is what we will do for you:

  • Handle all communication with insurance adjusters on your behalf
  • Review settlement offers and protect you from unfair low-value claims
  • Negotiate aggressively for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future damages
  • Coordinate claims involving multiple liable parties and insurance policies

We know what strategies work, and with you at the forefront of our minds, we will weigh the different options given in the mediation process and choose what is best for your case. 

Steps to Take After a Commercial Trucking Accident in Omaha

The time after your truck accident can be very traumatic and hectic. While our commercial trucking attorneys understand these moments could be some of the scariest of your life, the steps you take after the accident will have a significant impact on your ability to recover compensation for the damages you sustain.

At the Scene of the Truck Accident

If your injuries don’t prohibit you from doing so, call 911 immediately. While you are waiting for emergency responders to arrive:

  • Collect the contact, insurance, and employment information from the driver of the truck
  • Collect the contact information of any eyewitnesses
  • Take photographs of the scene
  • Contact your insurance provider and report that you have been involved in a truck accident

Once the police and EMTs arrive, make sure that you file a police report and get medical attention for your injuries. Many truck accidents cause serious injuries, which can make following these steps extremely difficult. When this occurs, our experienced truck accident lawyers can obtain all of this information through a detailed investigation into your accident.

Following the Truck Accident

Even if your injuries were cleared at the scene of the accident by EMTs, it’s strongly advised you still set up an appointment with your primary care doctor for further evaluation. Brain injuries and whiplash do not always show symptoms right away but can be detected later during a doctor’s visit. This examination will be pivotal for identifying injuries that may have gone unnoticed at the scene of your accident. It is important you obtain a copy of the doctor’s findings.

Contact the truck accident lawyers at Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, as soon as you can so we can evaluate your case. Our legal team will gather evidence, determine liability, and decide what course of action is best for your case going forward. You will feel comfortable knowing we will work very hard on your behalf so you can get the compensation your case deserves.

Read More: Do You Need a Lawyer After a Truck Accident?

Nebraska Truck Accident Compensation

The compensation you receive for your truck accident claim will depend on a variety of factors. Our truck accident lawyers will assess the fault in your accident and will take the required steps in valuing your injuries and damages.

After a detailed and thorough review of police reports, eyewitness testimonies, medical records, photographs, and more, our Omaha truck crash lawyers may seek compensation for the following damages on your behalf:

  • Property damage
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Surgical costs
  • Home alterations
  • And more

The Average Truck Accident Settlement in Omaha, NE

The average truck accident settlement in Omaha, NE, can vary significantly depending on the severity of injuries, the number of liable parties, and the available insurance coverage. Many truck accident claims settle between $100,000 and $500,000, especially when victims suffer serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and time away from work. However, catastrophic injury cases involving permanent disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or wrongful death can result in settlements or verdicts worth millions of dollars.

Every truck accident case is unique, and insurance companies often try to minimize payouts whenever possible. Our Omaha truck accident attorneys will aggressively pursue every dollar you deserve! We will thoroughly investigate your case, calculate the full extent of your damages, and fight to maximize your settlement through skilled negotiation or litigation when necessary.

Contact Our Omaha Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today

The truck accident attorneys at Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC have been helping truck accident injury victims since 1980. We investigate, analyze, and diligently prepare truck accident claims to ensure our clients can recover the maximum compensation available. We serve Nebraska through our offices in Omaha, South Omaha, Lincoln, and Bellevue, as well as Iowa clients through our offices in Sioux City and Council Bluffs.

If you were hurt or a family member was killed in a Nebraska truck accident, call Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC today at 402-241-5020 or contact us online. Our experienced injury lawyers offer FREE initial consultations, and we don’t charge for our services until we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents

Who Is Responsible for Truck Accidents Under Nebraska Law?

Like ordinary drivers, commercial truck drivers have a legal duty to share the road reasonably and responsibly. In other words, truck drivers owe a duty of care to the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians around them. Any careless, reckless, unreasonable, or unlawful behavior by the truck driver will be considered a breach of the duty of care. The truck driver will then become liable, legally responsible, for the damages they cause.

But the truck drivers are not the only ones with a legal duty. The trucking companies have responsibilities too. Under the doctrine of vicarious liability, an employer can be held legally responsible for its employee’s negligence when the conduct occurs within the scope of employment. This means a carrier may be liable for a crash its driver causes while performing work duties. Separate claims can also arise for the company’s own negligence, for example poor hiring or training, inadequate supervision, unsafe schedules that encourage fatigue, or neglected vehicle maintenance.

Likewise, the companies that manufacture the trucks and their parts and accessories have a duty to make sure they are safe and operable. As you can see, it is possible to have a claim against multiple parties relating to the same truck accident. Depending on the circumstances, you could have claims against the driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, a tire manufacturer, or even the government for creating dangerous roadway conditions. In most cases, each liable party will also have a liability insurance policy that provides coverage for your damages.

Our Omaha truck accident lawyers can help you identify the party or parties that might be responsible for compensating you after a truck accident in Nebraska.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Nebraska?

As with many other personal injury claims, Nebraska truck accident claims are subject to a strict statute of limitations (that is, a time limit). Failure to formally file a claim within the appropriate time period will cause you to permanently lose the right to claim compensation in the future.

Read More: How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?

Generally speaking, the statute of limitations for truck accidents in Nebraska is four years from the date of the accident — a longer time window than exists in many other states.

However, calculating the statute of limitations isn’t always as easy as it may seem.

Numerous exceptions, qualifications, limitations, or special circumstances might apply. You may have more or less time to file than you believe.

It is important not to make assumptions and not to delay. Talk to a commercial trucking attorney right away. Even if you do have time left to file, personal injury claims take time to research and prepare. The sooner our Omaha truck accident lawyers can get involved in your claim, the more helpful we can be.

How Long Will My Truck Accident Claim Take to Resolve?

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to estimate exactly how long a truck accident claim will take to resolve. Every accident is different, and the timeframe for resolution depends on several factors, which may include:

  • How long it takes you to heal
  • How many parties are involved
  • How quickly the insurance companies respond to our demand package
  • The dollar amounts involved
  • The insurance coverage & policy limits available for your claims
  • The complexity of your accident and injuries
  • The strength of the evidence
  • The court’s calendar (if your claim proceeds to trial)
  • The time of year

As a general rule, commercial truck accident claims do take longer to resolve than ordinary auto accident claims. It is not uncommon for the claims process to unfold across a period of several months or longer, sometimes requiring more than a year (as may be the case with an especially complicated claim).

To get a better sense of how long your particular claim might take, schedule a free consultation with our semi truck accident lawyers as soon as you can. While we are unable to promise a particular timeframe or outcome, a commercial trucking attorney can help you get a sense of how complex your claim might be, relative to others. We can also talk to you about any options you might have for satisfying your medical bills while you wait for your claim to resolve. (Depending on the circumstances, you may have more options than you realize.)

Our truck accident lawyers are committed to handling claims as efficiently as possible without ever compromising our clients or their best interests.

What Causes Most Truck Accidents?

As is the case with most other types of auto accidents, commercial truck accidents in Nebraska tend to happen because of preventable negligence — often on the part of the truck driver and/or the carrier company.

Truck accidents sometimes stem from the same kinds of negligence we see in other auto accidents:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving (e.g. texting while driving, using a CB radio, etc.)
  • Aggressive driving/tailgating
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Failure to yield
  • Failure to use signals
  • Other violations of traffic law

But some kinds of negligence are either unique to truck drivers or are especially common in truck accidents. These include:

  • Drowsy driving (truck driver fatigue)
  • Impaired truck driving (due to alcohol, drugs, prescriptions, or over-the-counter medicines)
  • Improper truck maintenance
  • Dangerous or excessive cargo / overloaded trailers, truck beds, or vans
  • Driving without proper training or the required license
  • Negligent hiring of dangerous or unqualified drivers
  • Failure to adapt to weather conditions or road conditions

Commercial truck operations are subject to special state and federal regulations, which apply to truck maintenance, the number of hours truckers can spend on the road without sleeping, licensure (CDL licenses, for example), and so on.

The Omaha truck accident lawyers in our office can help you determine what might have caused your accident and which state or federal laws might apply to your claim.

When Is the Shipping Company Liable for a Truck Accident?

A shipping company may be held liable for a truck accident if its negligence played a role in causing the crash. While truck drivers and carriers are often directly involved, liability can extend to the shipper, especially when their actions or omissions contribute to unsafe transport conditions.

Shippers have a duty to ensure that cargo is properly prepared, labeled, and loaded, and that the carriers they select are qualified and compliant with all safety regulations. When they fail in these responsibilities, the consequences can be severe.

Examples of shipper negligence that may lead to liability include:

  • Improper packaging of cargo, leading to shifting or instability during transit
  • Inadequate labeling or unclear instructions for loading and handling
  • Negligent selection of a carrier without reviewing licensing, insurance, or safety history
  • Imposing unrealistic delivery deadlines that encourage violations of federal hours-of-service rules
  • Failing to ensure cargo is properly secured or allowing unsafe loading practices

Determining liability often requires an in-depth investigation into shipping documents, communications, and federal compliance. If the evidence shows that a shipper’s actions contributed to the accident, they may be held financially responsible alongside other parties.

What Legal Specifics Apply to Crashes with FedEx, Amazon, UPS, and Other Delivery Trucks?

Delivery cases involving Amazon, UPS, or FedEx often involve layered corporate structures and different driver classifications. For example: 

  • UPS typically uses employee drivers, which makes employer liability more straightforward. 
  • FedEx Ground commonly relies on contracted service providers that own routes and trucks, so claims may involve the contractor’s policy and FedEx’s policies.
  • Amazon frequently uses delivery service partners, Flex drivers, and third-party carriers, so identifying the correct business entity and policy requires early investigation. 

These cases also turn on company control, training standards, route pressure, hours-of-service compliance, and maintenance practices. Critical evidence can include EDR “black box” data, telematics, dispatch records, handheld device logs, route metrics, and vehicle inspections. 

An attorney can send preservation letters quickly, obtain the right records, and hold every responsible company accountable so you are not left negotiating against the wrong insurer.

What Kind of Evidence Do I Need for a Truck Accident Claim in Nebraska?

There may be a wide range of relevant evidence available for your truck accident claim – perhaps even more than you realize. Common examples of evidence in Nebraska truck accident claims include:

  • Video footage from business or traffic cameras
  • Photographs of the accident
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Expert witness testimony
  • Medical evidence
  • Statements by the truck driver or truck company representatives
  • Employment records
  • Driver logs
  • Driver’s travel route/shift schedule
  • Receipts
  • Vehicle metadata
  • Smartphone metadata
  • Cell phone records
  • “Black box” data (like airplanes, commercial trucks are often equipped with a black box of data)
  • Drug test results or BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) readings
  • Police reports
  • Skid marks/accident reconstruction reports
  • Forensic evidence

Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this evidence yourself. A truck accident attorney may be able to help by uncovering highly relevant and credible evidence to support your claim. That said, you must preserve any evidence you might have relating to the accident.

At Hauptman O’Brien, P.C., our truck accident lawyers are committed to building the strongest possible evidentiary foundation for our clients’ claims.

How Can the Truck’s Black Box Data Help My Claim?

Most commercial trucks are equipped with an Event Data Recorder (EDR), commonly known as a black box. This device automatically records key vehicle data before, during, and after a crash—serving as a powerful source of objective evidence in a truck accident claim.

Black box data can include:

  • Vehicle speed
  • Brake usage and throttle position
  • Steering input and cruise control activity
  • Engine performance, gear shifts, and RPMs
  • Sudden deceleration or acceleration
  • Driver seatbelt usage and hours-of-service logs

However, black boxes don’t capture everything. They generally don’t record video footage, audio, or a driver’s emotional state. Conditions like distraction, intoxication, or fatigue often require additional evidence, such as witness statements or police reports.

Still, the data can be vital in proving negligence—showing, for example, that the truck was speeding, the brakes weren’t applied, or the driver exceeded legal hours on the road. This can help establish liability and strengthen your compensation case.

Accessing black box data requires swift legal action, as the data may be deleted or overwritten within weeks. An experienced truck accident attorney can secure and analyze the black box information before it’s lost, ensuring this critical evidence supports your claim.

Should I Accept an Insurance Settlement for My Truck Accident Claim?

Please never accept an insurance offer until you’ve discussed the matter with an experienced commercial trucking attorney in your jurisdiction – confidentially and one on one. Insurance companies are for-profit corporations that stay in business by reducing payouts and denying claims.

The insurance company will not act in your best interest and is not on your side. Their settlement offer has likely been carefully calculated to protect their own interests. Once you sign an agreement, you will generally be unable to take further action should you later determine that you were owed much more.

Before you talk to an insurance adjuster, schedule a FREE and confidential consultation with a truck accident lawyer at Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC.