Car accidents happen every day on Nebraska’s roads. While each collision involves its own set of facts, certain patterns emerge again and again. Learning about the most frequent causes of crashes is important because the reason behind your accident often determines who can be held liable and how your claim will be handled. Here’s what you should know so that you can protect your legal rights and interests.
Negligent Driver Behavior
The vast majority of car accident claims are caused by drivers who fail to operate their vehicles safely. Negligent conduct takes many forms, some of which include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Exceeding the posted speed limit
- Failing to yield the right of way at intersections
- Following too closely to stop safely when traffic slows down
- Driving under the influence
- Running red lights and rolling through stop signs
Each of these behaviors represents a failure to meet the basic duty of care that every motorist owes to others on the road. When that failure causes an accident, the negligent driver can be held financially responsible for the resulting injuries and related losses that the victim(s) suffer.
Hazards Beyond the Driver’s Control
External conditions can play a significant role in contributing to a crash as well. Some of the most common non-driver hazards include:
- Poor road conditions such as potholes that drivers may not be able to avoid in time, which could create grounds for a claim against the government entity responsible for maintaining that roadway
- Vehicle defects like a tire blowout that cause a driver to lose control without warning, potentially shifting liability to the manufacturer or a negligent repair shop
- Hazardous weather including rain and ice that reduce visibility and traction, which may not be grounds for a lawsuit on their own but can support a negligence argument against a driver who failed to slow down
- Debris in the roadway left behind by an unsecured load from another vehicle, which may point liability toward the driver or company responsible for hauling the cargo
- Construction zone hazards such as missing signage or improperly placed barriers that create dangerous conditions for passing motorists
Identifying these factors as soon as you can after an accident can help your attorney determine which parties may be responsible for the crash.
Why the Cause of Your Crash Is Key for Your Claim
In Nebraska’s at-fault system, pinpointing the cause of the accident is essential to proving who bears legal responsibility. The cause also shapes which parties can be included in your claim and what compensation you may be able to pursue.
Nebraska’s modified comparative negligence law adds another layer of urgency. If you are assigned 50% or more of the fault, you lose the right to recover anything at all. Having clear evidence of what caused the crash can protect you from those allegations and keep your claim on solid ground.
Call Steffens Law Offices for Help With Your Nebraska Car Accident Case
If you were injured in a crash and are unsure of what caused it and who should be held accountable, Steffens Law Offices is here to help. We have a track record of success you can trust, with tens of millions won for our deserving clients through 70+ years of combined experience.
Reach out online to get started with a free consultation. We can answer all of your questions at that time and provide some initial legal guidance too.