Regardless of whether you or your family member sustains a minor injury in a fender-bender or a severe injury in a multi-vehicle collision, you need an experienced and reputable Nebraska personal injury attorney to protect your legal rights. At the Robert Pahlke Law Group, we understand how stressful it is to deal with significant property damage and serious injuries following a car accident. We are known throughout Nebraska for our vigorous representation, proven courtroom success, and satisfied clients. While we cannot guarantee a favorable result in your case, our track record speaks for itself.
If you were in a car accident, you are not alone. Such accidents are increasingly common throughout the country. In 2017, Nebraska experienced one driving-related crash every 15 minutes. That same year, 218 died on Nebraska’s roads—one person every 40 hours.
Driver Negligence
Every driver in the state of Nebraska has a responsibility to all other drivers with whom they share the roadways. When people get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, the community expects them to follow the rules of the road and use care and caution while driving. The law holds them accountable if their negligence and poor judgment cause harm to another person.
The personal injury attorneys at the Robert Pahlke Law Group believe that anyone injured due to a negligent driver deserves financial compensation to help their families pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives following a serious car accident.
Although there are some circumstances beyond our control that cause automobile accidents, like bad weather and poor road conditions, negligence is willful and entirely preventable. Below we discuss some examples of the kind of negligent behavior that can lead to serious car accidents.
Aggressive Driving
Driving without regard to the safety of others is irresponsible and dangerous. Examples of aggressive driving behaviors include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Cutting in front of another driver and then slowing down
- Running red lights
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Changing lanes without signaling
- Blocking cars that are attempting to pass or change lanes
Distracted Driving
Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction. The three main types of driving distraction are:
- Visual: taking your eyes off the road
- Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving
Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol Or Drugs
Every 50 minutes, someone dies in an alcohol-related car accident. Nebraska law prohibits anyone from driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher, and drivers under the age of 21 face even stricter regulations.
Fatigued Drivers
Tired drivers generally do not have good control of their vehicles. Operating a motor vehicle while fatigued is foolish, dangerous, and can lead to life-changing injuries.
Inexperienced Drivers
Teen drivers become a danger to themselves and others when they navigate Nebraska’s crowded and busy highways. The graduated license law, which restricts the hours a new driver may be on the road as well as the number of passengers that are permitted in the vehicle at one time, are programs designed to keep our young people safe.
Rubbernecking
Rubbernecking takes place when drivers look at other things on the road unrelated to their driving, like roadway accidents or police cars on the other side of the road.
Improper Turns
Each year, numerous serious car accidents are caused by improper turns, which involve:
- Turning when there is a “no turn on red” sign at a red light.
- Turning at a stop sign or red light without coming to a complete stop or yielding to traffic or pedestrians.
- Making a left at a red light where doing so is prohibited.
- Turning without signaling, which is also called improper turn signal use.
- Turning without having the right-of-way.
Other examples of negligent driving include:
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Street racing
- Disobeying traffic signs and/or signals
- Driving the wrong way
- Failure to adjust to poor weather conditions
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Following too closely, also known as tailgating
- Improper lane changes
If you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you deserve justice. A Nebraska personal injury attorney can help you establish the negligence of the other driver in court. If you would like to discuss your case with us, we would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in person or over the phone.
Road Conditions
Many causes of car accidents are entirely out of a driver’s control. Some reasons may involve the maintenance of a city’s infrastructure and fall under the auspices of a city, county, or state municipality. In such cases, courts may hold these entities responsible for any potential financial compensation. These conditions include:
- Construction projects
- Debris
- Confusing road design
- Malfunctioning traffic control signals
- Poor road lighting and/or visibility
- Insufficient road maintenance
- Poor visibility of signage or missing signage
- Poorly placed trees and/or utility poles
Automobile Malfunction
When design flaws or production errors are determined to have caused a motor vehicle accident, it’s possible that a car or parts manufacturer will be held liable for damages. Some reasons for car crashes due to parts malfunction include:
- Defective auto parts
- Defective vehicle design/manufacturing
- Recalled auto parts
- Tire blowouts
Other problems that can result in catastrophic accidents include:
- Defective brakes
- Malfunctioning headlights
- Defective airbags
Cases involving automotive malfunctions are complicated and often involve powerful auto or part manufacturers who have the resources to afford top-notch legal representation. At the Robert Pahlke Law Group, we have the experience and fortitude to take on these industry giants on your behalf.
Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Car Accident
Nebraska is a comparative negligence state, which is important to keep in mind when engaging in personal injury litigation. Essentially, this means that even if you were partially at fault for an accident, you are still able to bring an injury claim against the other party, so long as a court determines that you were less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Until negligence is proved, compensation can be difficult to recover.
To have a successful lawsuit, you must be able to prove the following elements:
- That the other driver had a legal responsibility to follow the rules of the road,
- That the other driver failed in his or her duty, and
- That the other driver’s actions caused your injuries.
Contact a Nebraska Auto Accident Lawyer Today
No matter the cause of a car accident, getting justice can be a challenge without proper legal representation. At the Robert Pahlke Law Group, we leverage our experience to investigate every possible contributing cause of an accident to ensure that you receive compensation for the full cost of your injuries. While we cannot guarantee a favorable result in every case, we promise to use our experience to maximize your recovery.
If you were injured in a car accident, don’t delay! Call the Robert Pahlke Law Group today at (308) 633-4444, or contact us online, to schedule your free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you recover compensation following a car accident.