Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Lincoln, Nebraska
The firms in this guide
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
Helmet Exceptions, Eye Protection and Lane Rules for Lincoln Motorcycle Crashes
A Lincoln motorcycle crash claim can involve Nebraska’s helmet rule, which an operator 21 or older may skip only after completing a required safety course, and its separate eye protection rule. Nebraska also bars riding between lanes and compares the rider’s negligence with the total negligence of those being sued.
The Helmet Rule and Its Exception
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,279(1), an operator must wear a helmet meeting 49 CFR 571.218, secured with a chin strap, unless the operator is at least 21 and holds a Nebraska Class M license with proof of the required safety course submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles, or holds a motorcycle license from another state. Under (2), a passenger must wear a helmet unless the passenger is at least 21 and the operator qualifies for the exception.
Eye Protection for Every Operator
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,279(4), no person may operate a motorcycle or moped on a highway without glasses covering the orbital region, a face shield attached to a helmet, goggles, or a windshield that protects the operator’s and passenger’s horizontal line of vision in all operating positions.
Riding Between Lanes
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,308(3), no person may operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and under (2) a rider may not pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken; under (5), both rules exempt peace officers performing official duties.
The Contributory Negligence Bar
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-21,185.09, the rider’s contributory negligence reduces the damages in proportion, and bars recovery only if it is equal to or greater than the total negligence of all persons against whom recovery is sought.
Lincoln Motorcycle Accident Questions
Does every adult rider in Nebraska have to wear a helmet?
No. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,279(1)(b), an operator 21 or older who meets the license and safety course conditions, or holds another state’s motorcycle license, may ride without one, but every operator must still use eye protection under (4).
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if your negligence is less than the total negligence of those you are suing. For example, imagine $95,000 in damages and 45 percent of the negligence on the rider: under 25-21,185.09 the recovery would be $52,250.
How long do I have to sue after a Lincoln motorcycle crash?
Four years under Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-207(3) for an injury claim, and two years after the death for a wrongful death action under 30-810. If a city or county vehicle was involved, a written claim to its governing body is due within one year under 13-919(1), with suit within two years.