1. Steffens Law Accident Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, motorcycle defect accidents, road hazard accidents, intersection accidents, highway accidents, accidents caused by negligent drivers, accidents caused by road defects, accidents caused by motorcycle manufacturers, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Steffens Law has been serving Lincoln and Nebraska residents for over 35 years. The firm provides personalized legal services to people facing personal injury situations including motorcycle accidents. The attorneys have deep understanding of the legal complexities and challenges associated with motorcycle cases. They prioritize client satisfaction and communication throughout the claims process. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless they receive compensation.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska (serves Lincoln and throughout Nebraska)
Contact: https://www.steffenslaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless they win)
2. Knowles Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, multi-party accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, loss of earning capacity claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Knowles Law Firm is a family-run practice with over 50 years of dedicated service in Nebraska. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for accident victims. Robert Knowles has tried cases in both state and federal courts and was selected as one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in Nebraska for 2014 by the American Society of Legal Advocates (less than 1.5% of lawyers nationally receive this recognition). He is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain. The firm understands Nebraska’s modified comparative negligence rule and how insurance companies may try to unfairly blame victims for accidents.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Contact: (402) 431-9000 | https://www.knowleslawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis
3. Berry Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, criminal defense, military defense
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, road hazard accidents, animal vs. motorcycle accidents, hit and run accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, economic damage calculation, non-economic damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Berry Law provides multiple attorney perspectives on each case, giving clients the benefit of diverse legal experience. The firm’s attorneys understand Nebraska’s motorcycle laws including helmet requirements under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 60-6,279 and comparative negligence principles. They handle both economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). The firm has extensive experience representing injured motorcyclists throughout Nebraska.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska (serves Lincoln and throughout Nebraska)
Contact: https://jsberrylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Inkelaar Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, accidents caused by reckless drivers, accidents caused by distracted drivers, accidents caused by drunk drivers
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Inkelaar Law is a Lincoln motorcycle accident law firm with a reputation for high-quality, aggressive litigation. The attorneys pursue maximum settlement amounts for every client and are prepared to go to trial if a fair settlement cannot be obtained. They put substantial resources and experience to work for each client. The firm handles cases involving various sources of evidence including police reports, witness statements, medical records, and expert testimony.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Contact: https://justiceyoudeserve.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis
5. Dowding, Dowding, & Dowding
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, accidents caused by distracted drivers, accidents caused by negligent drivers, road hazard accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Dowding, Dowding, & Dowding has experienced attorneys serving Lincoln and Grand Island areas. Steven W. Dowding serves the Grand Island office while Joseph C. Dowding serves the Lincoln office. Robert W. Alexander also serves as attorney in Grand Island. The firm understands Nebraska’s comparative negligence rules and helps clients navigate complex insurance claim processes. They provide thorough investigation of crashes, effective negotiations with insurance companies, and responsive, personalized guidance throughout the process.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska (Lincoln Office)
Contact: (308) 300-4172 (Lincoln Office) | https://www.dowdinglaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Nebraska
Statute of Limitations: Nebraska provides a four-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 25-207. The deadline runs from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the victim’s death. If the accident involves a government-owned vehicle, the statute of limitations is reduced to one year.
Fault vs. No-Fault Status: Nebraska is a fault-based (tort) state for motorcycle accidents. The person who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages to the injured party. Motorcyclists can pursue claims directly against the at-fault party or their insurance company.
Comparative Negligence: Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 25-21,185.09. An injured motorcyclist can recover damages if their share of fault is less than 50% of the total. Compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the motorcyclist. If the motorcyclist is 50% or more at fault, they cannot recover any damages. The rule applies the 50% bar, meaning fault that reaches or exceeds 50% bars recovery entirely.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Nebraska requires motorcyclists to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of:
- $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident (multiple persons)
- $25,000 for property damage liability per accident
Helmet Laws: Nebraska has a universal helmet law. All motorcycle riders and passengers are required by law to wear helmets that meet federal DOT safety standards (FMVSS No. 218). Helmets must be designed to reduce injuries resulting from head impacts, remain on the user’s head during impact, deflect blows, resist penetration, and spread the force of impact. Each helmet must include lining, padding, and chin strap secured properly while the vehicle is in motion.
Eye Protection Requirements: Nebraska does not require eye protection by law, though wearing protective eyewear is strongly recommended for safety.
Lane Splitting Laws: Nebraska law does not explicitly address lane splitting. However, standard traffic laws require motorcyclists to remain within their lane and follow all traffic regulations applicable to other motor vehicles.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Nebraska requires a Class M license or motorcycle endorsement to legally operate a motorcycle. Riders must pass vision, written, and skills tests or complete an approved motorcycle safety course.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Nebraska law requires motorcycles to be equipped with:
- DOT-approved helmet for all riders and passengers
- Working headlight, taillight, and brake light
- Rearview mirror
- Working horn
- Proper muffler/exhaust system
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Nebraska law under Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 44-6405 provides for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to protect motorcyclists if involved in accidents with at-fault drivers who lack adequate insurance.
Joint and Several Liability: When multiple parties are responsible for an accident, Nebraska follows joint and several liability rules for economic damages, meaning all defendants share responsibility for the full amount of economic damages. For non-economic damages, defendants are only liable for their proportional share.
Damage Caps: Nebraska does not have caps on compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. However, medical malpractice cases have specific caps.
Wrongful Death Claims: Nebraska allows wrongful death claims to be filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate within two years of the date of death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Nebraska?
A: Nebraska law provides a four-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents. This deadline begins on the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims resulting from a fatal motorcycle accident, the deadline is two years from the date of death. If the accident involves a government-owned vehicle, the deadline is shortened to one year. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing the right to pursue legal action, so consulting with an attorney promptly is advisable.
Q: How does Nebraska’s comparative negligence law affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. This means you can recover damages if your share of fault for the accident is less than 50%. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. Insurance companies often try to assign higher fault percentages to motorcyclists, so having an experienced attorney can help protect your interests.
Q: Does Nebraska require motorcycle riders to wear helmets, and how does helmet use affect my claim?
A: Yes, Nebraska has a universal helmet law that requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets at all times. Helmets must meet federal safety standards (FMVSS No. 218). Failing to wear a helmet is a traffic violation and can affect your injury claim. If you suffered head or brain injuries while not wearing a helmet, the defense may argue that your failure to wear proper protection contributed to the severity of your injuries, potentially increasing your assigned fault percentage and reducing your compensation.
Q: What types of compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Lincoln?
A: Nebraska law allows motorcycle accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage (motorcycle repair or replacement), and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement. Non-economic damages are typically calculated using either the per diem method (daily rate multiplied by recovery days) or the multiplier method (economic damages multiplied by a factor of 1-5 based on severity). In wrongful death cases, families may recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
Q: Can I still pursue a claim if the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage?
A: Yes. Nebraska law provides for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which can protect you if the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance. If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy, you can file a claim with your own insurance company for damages that exceed what the at-fault driver’s insurance can pay or if the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. This coverage is strongly recommended for all motorcyclists given the serious injuries that can result from motorcycle accidents and the potential for encountering uninsured drivers.