Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Omaha, Nebraska
The firms in this guide
1. Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Free consultation, accident investigation, evidence preservation, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, medical lien resolution
Background: Established personal injury law firm serving Omaha and throughout Nebraska and Iowa. The firm employs experienced investigators and works with qualified experts in accident reconstruction and medical fields. Handles cases on a contingency fee basis. Advocates for motorcycle safety and helmet use.
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.hauptman-obrien.net
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis, no fee unless recovery obtained
2. Ausman Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, intersection accidents, rear-end collisions, lane change accidents, distracted driving accidents, negligent driver accidents, uninsured motorist claims, property damage claims
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Attorneys Jason Ausman and Michelle Epstein worked for insurance companies early in their careers, giving them insight into insurance company tactics. The firm serves clients throughout Omaha and Nebraska and Iowa. Focuses on building strong cases that insurance companies cannot ignore through thorough investigation.
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact: Contact through website | https://injurylawyersinomaha.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
3. Knowles Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, road defect accidents, government vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Independent accident investigation, evidence preservation, police report analysis, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, claims against government entities, joint and several liability claims
Background: Family-run practice with over 50 years of dedicated service in Nebraska. Attorney Robert Knowles has tried cases in both state and federal courts. Selected as one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in Nebraska for 2014 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. The firm has recovered millions for accident victims.
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.knowleslawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no fees unless recovery obtained)
4. Rensch & Rensch Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, intersection accidents, negligent driver accidents, rear-end collisions, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, property damage claims
Legal Services: Case evaluation, accident investigation, insurance policy review, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Attorneys with combined 60 years of legal experience and over 100 jury trials. The firm’s attorneys are motorcycle riders themselves, providing personal understanding of the challenges riders face on the road. Attorney Richard J. Rensch is an active rider. The firm serves clients throughout Nebraska and Iowa.
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.renschandrensch.com
Consultation: Free consultation
5. Steve Howard Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, intersection accidents, left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, lane change accidents, negligent driver accidents, aggressive driver accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, jury selection expertise for motorcycle cases, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, loss of earning capacity claims
Background: Steve Howard is a former motorcycle rider with significant riding experience. He understands the unique challenges of motorcycle accident cases and is prepared to take cases to court when necessary. Serves clients in Nebraska and Iowa.
Location: 4060 Vinton St., Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68105
Contact: Contact through website | https://stevehowardlaw.com
Consultation: Free no-fee consultation
Passenger Rules, Lane Use and Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Omaha Motorcycle Crashes
An Omaha motorcycle crash claim can involve Nebraska’s rules for carrying a passenger and for handlebar height, its lane rules for motorcycles, and the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage required on auto policies. A claim against a city or county also has its own one-year written claim deadline.
Carrying a Passenger
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,307(1) and (5), an operator may carry a passenger only if the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, with the passenger on a seat designed for two or on another seat firmly attached to the rear or side, and a motorcycle carrying a passenger outside a sidecar or enclosed cab must have footrests for the passenger. Under (6), handlebars may not be more than 15 inches above their mounting point.
Lane Use
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,308(1) and (4), a motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a traffic lane, and no vehicle may be driven so as to deprive it of that use; motorcycles may ride two abreast in a single lane but not more than two.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6408(1), a liability policy on a motor vehicle principally garaged in Nebraska must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident each, and under (2) the named insured may request higher limits in writing up to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.
A City or County Vehicle
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-919(1), a claim against a political subdivision is forever barred unless made in writing to the governing body within one year after it accrued, and suit must begin within two years, with a six-month extension after notice of final disposition or withdrawal.
Omaha Motorcycle Accident Questions
Is lane splitting legal in Nebraska?
No. 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 (5) the bar does not apply to peace officers performing official duties.
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 $140,000 in damages and 15 percent of the negligence on the rider: under 25-21,185.09 the recovery would be $119,000.
Who brings a wrongful death claim after a fatal crash?
The personal representative, under Neb. Rev. Stat. 30-810, for the exclusive benefit of the widow or widower and next of kin, within two years after the death; the recovery is distributed by pecuniary loss and any settlement needs court approval.