Injuries are a part of life. However, there’s a difference between injuring yourself through your own carelessness or suffering injuries due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries through the fault or negligence of someone else, it’s important to receive medical assistance first, and then obtain the services of an experienced Omaha personal injury lawyer to make sure you receive fair compensation.
The Omaha personal injury attorneys at Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers have more than 50 years of collective experience helping clients obtain fair compensation for their injuries and losses. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you recover the financial compensation you need.
Why Hire an Omaha Personal Injury Lawyer From Steffens Law?
When serious life-changing injuries happen to you, whether or not the responsible party is clearly understood, engage a local personal injury lawyer in Omaha to help you.
Although you have plenty of choices of personal injury attorneys in Omaha, here are a few good reasons to choose Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers to handle your claim:
- In-Depth Legal Knowledge. Our personal injury lawyers have extensive knowledge of personal injury laws in the state. We will learn your facts and select the right legal theories of liability to advance your case in the best and most expedient way possible.
- Good Legal Advice. We are excellent listeners, confidants, and counselors. An experienced injury attorney from our law firm will advise you about all aspects of your case, from repairing your property to receiving medical care. We will also advise you as to the strength of your claim and your settlement prospects.
- Familiarity with Local Laws and Geography. Our Omaha injury attorneys know the area and can more effectively investigate the site where you were hurt. Familiarity with the site of injury can help with understanding why the accident happened and who might be responsible.
- Successful Results. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of personal injury claims in Omaha with a high rate of success. We have recovered substantial settlements and verdicts for our injured clients, and we promise to fight hard to help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.
Once you receive a settlement offer from the at-fault party or their insurance company, we can help you decide whether to accept it. After all, the responsible party will only pay you once, so it pays to know whether it fairly compensates you for all you’ve been through and is therefore reasonable.
Another benefit of working with Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers is the peace of mind you will gain knowing an experienced and dedicated legal professional is handling all aspects of your claim. You don’t need to worry about dealing with the insurance company or paying for your medical expenses and other costs associated with your injury and can focus instead on your recovery.
Contact Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers today at (402) 414-4896 or contact us online to request a free case evaluation from one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.
What Types of Omaha Personal Injury Claims Do You Handle?
The Omaha personal injury attorneys at Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers handle many personal injury claims, including:
- Omaha Car Accidents
- Omaha Truck Accidents
- Omaha Motorcycle Accidents
- Omaha Slip and Fall Accidents
- Omaha Dog Bites
- Omaha Wrongful Death
Contact us today to discuss your case if someone else’s actions caused you serious injuries or killed a close family member.
Omaha Accident Statistics
The Nebraska Department of Transportation has reported the following accident statistics for the Omaha area for one recent year:
- 9,037 total traffic accidents
- 41 fatal traffic accidents, resulting in 46 total fatalities
- 3,219 injury accidents that injured a total of 4,626 people
During that reported year, a vehicle crash occurred every 18 minutes in Nebraska, and 39 people suffered injuries each day. One person was killed every 38 hours, and the total economic losses due to traffic accidents throughout the state was more than $4 billion.
What Personal Injuries Do People Suffer in Omaha?
People in Omaha can suffer a wide range of injuries due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing.
Here is a list of types of injuries that people might suffer in Omaha:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Resulting from blows to the head, falls, or other traumatic incidents, TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis or loss of motor function, depending on the severity and location of the injury.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Falls, car accidents, or other traumatic events can cause fractures and broken bones in various parts of the body.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as sprains and strains, are common in accidents like falls or car collisions.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma or impact can cause internal injuries to organs, leading to conditions like internal bleeding or organ damage.
- Burn Injuries: Burns can result from fires, explosions, or exposure to hot substances, causing damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Sharp objects or accidents can cause cuts and lacerations, varying in severity and requiring medical attention.
- Amputations: Severe accidents, machinery incidents, or traumatic injuries can result in the loss of limbs or extremities.
- Psychological Injuries: Emotional trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other psychological injuries can result from various traumatic events.
- Whiplash: Whiplash injuries often occur in car accidents and involve the rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck, leading to neck strain and pain.
- Crush Injuries: Crush injuries can occur when body parts are compressed, often seen in accidents involving heavy machinery or collapsed structures.
- Eye Injuries: Trauma, foreign objects, or chemical exposure can lead to eye injuries, ranging from minor irritations to severe damage.
It's important to recognize that the impact and severity of injuries can vary widely, and individuals who have suffered injuries should seek medical attention promptly. Additionally, consulting a personal injury attorney can help individuals understand their legal rights and pursue compensation if the injuries were caused by another party's negligence or intentional actions.
What Should I Do After an Accident in Omaha?
The days and weeks following an accident in Omaha can be overwhelming. It’s important to focus on your recovery, protect your legal rights, and handle the paperwork that may come your way. If you’re unsure about what steps to take, this guide will help you stay on track.
1. Prioritize Your Health with Follow-Up Medical Care
Even if you’ve already seen a doctor, follow-up care is essential. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, may develop or worsen days after an accident. Be sure to attend all scheduled medical appointments, follow your doctor’s advice, and complete prescribed treatments. Document everything, including any ongoing symptoms or additional diagnoses. This not only aids your recovery but strengthens your case for any future claims.
2. Notify Your Insurance Provider
Contact your insurance company to report the accident if you haven’t already done so. Provide accurate and detailed information about the incident when filing your claim. Be cautious about any conversations with the other party’s insurer. It’s common for insurance companies to request statements, but consult with an attorney before providing any recorded or written statements to avoid jeopardizing your claim.
3. Maintain a Record of All Expenses
Keep all documents related to the accident, such as medical bills, receipts for medications, or invoices for car repairs. If you’ve had to miss work due to injuries, keep a record of lost wages as well. These records can serve as evidence for compensation, whether through an insurance claim or legal action.
4. Preserve Additional Evidence
If you’ve gathered initial evidence from the accident scene, such as photos or witness information, make sure these are well-organized. Over the weeks following the incident, continue to track any new developments. For example, document the timeline of vehicle repairs or ongoing difficulties caused by your injuries. This evidence can support your claim and protect your legal rights.
5. Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
Reaching out to a personal injury attorney can be one of the most significant steps you take after an accident. An attorney can evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and negotiate on your behalf. They will also handle communication with insurance companies, ensuring your claims process goes as smoothly as possible. A lawyer’s expertise can be particularly helpful in cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or significant financial losses.
6. Follow Advice from Healthcare Professionals
It’s important to stay consistent with your medical treatment. Attend follow-up appointments, physical therapy sessions, or any specialist visits your doctor recommends. Stopping treatment prematurely, even if you feel better, can weaken your case. Insurance companies often look for gaps in treatment as a reason to deny compensation, so staying the course is vital.
7. Avoid Social Media Oversights
Be mindful of how your actions might be interpreted, especially on social media. Avoid discussing the accident or posting photos that might downplay your injuries. Insurance companies may monitor your online presence and use your posts as evidence to diminish your claim.
8. Prepare for the Long-Term Process
Resolution of personal injury claims or legal cases can take time. Be patient and focus on your recovery while following up with your attorney for updates. Staying organized and proactive in handling documentation will make it easier to manage the process, even if it takes months.
The period after an accident is crucial for safeguarding your health and legal rights. By following through with medical care, documenting your expenses, and consulting an experienced attorney, you can set yourself up for the best possible outcome. If you’re unsure how to proceed or feeling overwhelmed, contacting an attorney in Omaha can provide the clarity and guidance you need.
How Much Is My Omaha Injury Claim Worth?
Determining the value of an injury claim in Omaha involves assessing various factors related to the specific circumstances of the accident and the resulting injuries.
We cannot provide an exact amount without a detailed evaluation, but here are key factors that influence the potential value of a personal injury claim:
- Nature and Severity of Injuries: The extent and severity of your injuries play a significant role. More severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment, result in long-term effects or cause disability generally lead to higher compensation.
- Medical Expenses: The total cost of medical treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, contributes to the value of your claim.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to time off work during recovery is factored into the overall value of your claim.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life, contribute to the overall value. These damages are subjective and can vary based on the impact of the injuries.
- Property Damage: The cost of repairing or replacing damaged property, such as a vehicle, is considered in the valuation.
- Future Damages: Future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and other potential long-term costs are taken into account when assessing the value of your claim.
- Liability and Fault: The degree of fault assigned to the at-fault party can impact the amount of compensation. If there is clear evidence of negligence, it may strengthen your claim.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The insurance policy limits of the at-fault party can influence the maximum amount of compensation available. If their policy limit is low, it may limit the recoverable amount.
- Negotiation Skills: The effectiveness of negotiations with the insurance company or opposing party can impact the final settlement amount.
- Legal Representation: Having legal representation can influence the outcome. An experienced personal injury attorney can advocate for your rights and help maximize the compensation you receive.
Each case is unique, and the value of a claim can vary based on the specific details. Consulting a personal injury attorney in Omaha is highly recommended to get a more accurate assessment.
An attorney from Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case, consider the relevant factors, and provide guidance on pursuing fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Omaha?
Nebraska generally has a four-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. If you fail to have an attorney file a lawsuit on your behalf within that time, you may lose the right to pursue legal action.
However, there may be exceptions or specific circumstances that could affect the time limit in your case. To ensure that you have the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the statute of limitations for your specific situation, consult a personal injury attorney in Omaha at Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers. We can provide guidance based on the latest legal requirements and assess the unique details of your case.
How Much Do Your Omaha Personal Injury Attorneys Charge?
A personal injury attorney works on what is known as a contingency basis. This means simply that your attorney doesn’t earn anything unless you receive a settlement. If your case does not settle or win at trial, your attorney makes zero.
This guarantees that you and your lawyer share the same goal: achieving full compensation for your injuries, pain, and other damages.
The easiest way to find out how a lawyer gets paid or what they would charge for representing you is simply to ask them. The best attorneys in Omaha should have no problem sending you a copy of their client agreement. The agreement should lay out the nature and scope of their representation, the percentage the lawyer or firm charges, and whether costs are included or separate.
Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers in Omaha has a client agreement written in plain, easy-to-understand language that includes all material terms, and any of our attorneys would be happy to discuss it with you before you hire the firm to represent you.
How Long Will It Take My Omaha Personal Injury Case to Resolve?
The duration of a personal injury case in Omaha can vary widely depending on numerous factors, and it's challenging to provide an exact timeline. Some cases may resolve relatively quickly, while others may take a more extended period.
Some factors that can influence the time it takes to resolve a personal injury case include:
- Nature and Complexity of the Case: Complex cases involving severe injuries, multiple parties, or disputed liability may take longer to resolve than straightforward cases.
- Severity of Injuries: Cases involving significant injuries often require extensive medical treatment, and the resolution may depend on the duration of the recovery process.
- Insurance Company Cooperation: The responsiveness and cooperation of insurance companies involved can impact the timeline. Delays in communication or settlement negotiations can prolong the process.
- Negotiation and Settlement: The negotiation process can vary. Some cases may settle relatively quickly through negotiations, while others may require more extended discussions to reach a fair agreement.
- Court Schedule: If your case goes to court, the availability of court dates and the scheduling of hearings or trials can affect the overall duration.
- Discovery Process: The discovery process, during which both parties exchange information and evidence, can add time to the timeline. This is a crucial phase for building a strong case.
- Medical Treatment and Recovery: The duration of your medical treatment and recovery can significantly impact the timeline, especially if your condition requires ongoing care.
- Negotiation Skill and Strategy: The effectiveness of negotiation and the strategy employed by your attorney can influence how quickly a settlement is reached.
- Dispute Resolution Methods: Some cases may be resolved through alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or arbitration, which can expedite the process.
While some cases may resolve within a few months, others may take a year or more. Remain patient and allow the necessary time for a thorough and fair resolution. Consult a personal injury attorney from Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers in Omaha for more insight into the potential timeline for your specific case.
Can I Recover Damages if I Was Partially At Fault for the Omaha Accident?
In Omaha, the legal principle of comparative negligence applies to personal injury cases. Comparative negligence means that even if you contributed to an accident, you may still recover damages.
Here's how it works:
- Modified Comparative Negligence: In Nebraska, you can still pursue damages as long as your degree of fault does not exceed 50 percent. This means that if you are found to be 49 percent or less at fault for the accident, you can seek compensation. However, if you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you may be barred from recovering any damages. This is the 50 percent bar rule in Nebraska.
- Apportionment of Fault: If you are deemed partially at fault, your total recoverable damages will be reduced in proportion to your assigned percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault, your damages will be reduced by 20 percent.
It's essential to note that determining fault and applying comparative negligence can be complex, and the assessment is often subject to legal interpretation. Insurance adjusters, attorneys, or the court may consider various factors, evidence, and arguments in determining the percentage of fault assigned to each party.
If you believe you may share some degree of fault for the accident, discuss your case with a personal injury attorney in Omaha.
An attorney from Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers can assess the specific details of your case, gather evidence to support your claim, and navigate the legal complexities to maximize the compensation you may be eligible to receive.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Omaha
We cannot overemphasize this: if you are suffering from a significant injury caused by another person or company, hire a competent personal injury lawyer or firm immediately.
At Steffens Law, our Omaha personal injury lawyer will charge no upfront fees and will want to start helping you as early as possible. We will even speak to you and discuss your case for free and without any obligation whatsoever.
Seeking excellent legal representation for your injury claim early on has many benefits.
Here are three of the big ones:
- Your lawyer will be able to collect evidence from the accident scene, from the police department, from witnesses, and from you. Memories of the events will fade with time, so for this reason it’s crucial to hire the best Omaha personal injury you can as early as possible.
- Your lawyer will also be better able to protect you from the adverse insurance company’s attempts to destroy your case. Often the responsible party’s insurance company will contact you, record you, and may even offer a low-ball settlement just to entice you to sign away all of your rights. Don’t fall for this and don't talk to them.
- A good and experienced injury attorney in Omaha will handle your medical bills and paperwork. Imagine undergoing x-rays, scans, surgery, and therapy. Our team at Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers will fill out medical claims, coordinate billing, and even negotiate the costs of medical care with your providers.
You’ll likely pay the same whether you hire the lawyer early or late in the case, so it just makes sense to engage one as soon as possible after your accident.
How to Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Omaha
This can be a subjective choice: the right personal injury lawyer for you may not be for someone else. Most people can agree, however, that a lawyer or firm that is accessible, competent, experienced, and passionate about the work they do will be a great choice.
You may also wish to find a lawyer who is local to you, has a great reputation in the community in which you live, answers the phone or is easy to reach, and importantly, believes in your case.
You can check a firm's website for testimonials from past clients, visit the Nebraska bar website for a referral, or visit reputable third-party review sites to find the right personal injury lawyer for you in Omaha or the surrounding areas. A firm's Google My Business profile is another great place to see reviews and can help you make a judgment call.
During your initial consultation with potential attorneys, ask:
- How long your case may take to resolve?
- What is the lawyer’s success record?
- How many years has the lawyer been practicing?
- How many clients has the lawyer represented with issues like yours?
An injury lawyer is bound by oath to adhere to and uphold the laws of Nebraska. They are also officers of the court. They are bound to tell the truth, to not make misleading statements, and to be zealous advocates for their clients.
Be sure you feel comfortable working with any attorney you choose and seek other legal counsel if you feel your lawyer is not operating ethically or will not take an active interest in your case.
Contact Our Injury Attorneys at Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers in Omaha
The lawyers at Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers in Omaha have helped hundreds of clients with all types of personal injuries obtain full compensation for their injuries.
Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers’ lawyers love what they do, love who they help, and work tirelessly for their clients. The Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers in Omaha employ an entire legal team of experienced professionals dedicated to obtaining the best settlement for you and your family, so you can focus on your health, your family, and rebuilding your life. Call our personal injury law firm in Omaha at (402) 414-4896 today. You can also contact us through our online contact form. We are available 24/7 and treat clients like family.