Automobile Accidents
Nebraska Auto Accident Injury Claims and Litigation
There is no such thing as a “simple automobile accident.” The moment you hear tires screeching, metal crunching and glass shattering, your life changes. You need medical treatment, you cannot work, your car needs to be repaired, and you need a rental car. You need help fast. If you or someone in your family has been injured in a car accident contact an attorney at Friedman Law Offices for a free consultation about your rights and legal options. You can contact us at Contact us link or at 800.876.1093. Friedman Law Offices handles cases in Lincoln, eastern and central Nebraska. We have advocated for clients throughout the State of Nebraska including Lincoln, Beatrice, Kearney, Grand Island, North Platte, and many other cities and counties in Nebraska.
Our experience allows us to anticipate and overcome all the familiar insurance company tactics that are used to settle your automobile accident claim for less than its actual value. With a comprehensive knowledge of Nebraska car accident law, understanding medical records and reports, and the ability to maximize the value of your case, you can depend on Friedman Law Offices to develop your claim fully and accurately. You can also count on us to keep you advised on the progress of your claim at every stage of your case.
We represent Nebraska clients in automobile accidents involving both personal injury and wrongful death resulting from car accidents such as:
- Drunk drivers
- Hit and run accidents
- Collisions with semi trailer trucks or other commercial vehicles
- SUV rollovers
- Other single vehicle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Uninsured and underinsured accidents
At Friedman Law Offices, we extensively review each case and work in both a prompt and competent manner. We identify all potential defendants and all claims for damages. The damages you can receive from an automobile accident include payment of medical or chiropractic expenses, wage loss, pain and suffering and the inconvenience associated with dealing with your injuries. If you have a permanent injury you get additional money depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, future pain and suffering, future medical expenses or wage or economic losses.
We handle motor vehicle accident cases including motorcycle accidents and truck accidents on a contingency fee basis and we advance the expenses at our own risk. In other words, we only collect attorney fees and expenses when we are successful in resolving your claim through either settlement or trial.
In Nebraska, the minimum liability insurance limit is $25,000/$50,000. This means that the most an insurance company can pay any one person is $25,000 and a total of $50,000 if there is more than one injured party. We advise that you carry at least $100,000/$300,000 to help protect yourself if you cause an accident. If you carry full coverage with your automobile insurance carrier, you will have underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage provides additional money if the liability limits for the at fault driver are insufficient to compensate you for your injuries, medical expenses and economic losses. In addition, if the other driver was uninsured you can collect on your own policy for uninsured motorist benefits. At Friedman Law Offices, we can help you with claims against the at-fault insurance carrier or your own insurance company.
Many insurance companies for the at fault driver say that they will pay your medical bills. In most cases, this is not completely accurate because they will only pay your medical bills when you are ready to settle your case. If you again carry full coverage, you will have a provision for medical payment coverage. This coverage pays for your medical expenses, up to your policy limits, for medical expenses incurred as a result of your car accident. This provision also applies if you were at fault for the accident or a passenger in another vehicle. If you either do not carry full coverage or medical payment coverage, you can often request that your health insurance cover your expenses. The last thing you want, after having to deal with all of the pain, and suffering, and other inconveniences associated with the accident, is having medical providers contacting you requesting payment on a bill.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
In general, all automobile accident cases have a statute of limitations. In a car accident involving a non governmental entity, you have four years from the date of the accident to either have your case settled or have a lawsuit on file. If the accident involves a political subdivision, such as a county or city, you have one year to file a Tort Claim. If the accident involved a state vehicle or employee, you have two years to file Tort Claim. If you do not comply with the statute of limitations, you will forever lose your rights to make a claim for your automobile accident.
THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, we suggest the following:
1. At the scene of the collision: make observations, identify witnesses and make sure you make accurate statements to the police officer concerning the accident.
2. Be prepared for communications with insurance companies. Many insurance companies request drivers give recorded statements about the accident and your injuries. In most instances, it is not advisable to give a recorded statement because anything said could probably be used against you if your case ends up going to trial. Insurance companies often try to get you to settle your case as early as possible. You do not want to settle your case until you have fully healed or have reached medical maximum improvement, which is recovering to the fullest extent possible. Furthermore, the insurance companies will request that you sign medical authorizations so that they can obtain your medical information. We again recommend that you do not sign the authorization as the insurance company may request records 10 or 15 years prior to try and find any evidence they can use to allege that you have pre-existing condition and thus deny that your injuries were caused by the accident.
3. To get medical attention: If you are injured, either go to the emergency room or make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. Do not let the insurance company chose a doctor for you.
4. Photograph your car: Take pictures of your car as soon as possible after the accident. This can help show the seriousness of the accident.
5. Photograph your injuries: Take pictures of any visible injuries before they heal. In some cases, the seat belt strap will bruise you across the shoulder and chest and the bruises may take several weeks to heal.
6. Keep records of expenses. Insurance companies need written or other documentary proof of anything you claim as an expense. Be sure to keep receipts for prescriptions, household services like lawn mowing or getting someone to cook for you and other related items. You should also, if you miss any work, let your employer know that you are missing work because of injuries sustained in a car accident so your wage loss can be established.
7. Most importantly, contact an experienced injury lawyer. Without legal help from a Nebraska automobile accident lawyer such as Friedman Law Offices you may have no idea of the real value of your claim or what you should do in dealing with the insurance company. You can contact Friedman Law Offices either Contact us link or at 800.876.1093.
FREE CONSULTATION
If you have been injured, contact Friedman Law Offices, Nebraska automobile accident lawyers. Our office is located in Lincoln, but we successfully advocated for clients throughout the state of Nebraska. You can contact or at 800.876.1093 for an immediate evaluation of your case. There is no cost for an initial consultation.
