1. Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop
Focus Area: Personal injury, catastrophic injuries, motor vehicle accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability, workers’ compensation
Background: Serving the heartland for 40 years with over 298 years of combined experience among attorneys. The firm maintains offices in Omaha and Bellevue, Nebraska. Known for providing personalized care to clients and handling medical bill management alongside legal representation. The firm focuses on holding wrongdoers accountable and improving community safety.
Location: Omaha and Bellevue, Nebraska
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.hauptman-obrien.net/
Consultation: Free initial consultation
2. Welsh & Welsh PC, LLO
Focus Area: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death
Background: Serving the Omaha community for over 65 years with attorneys licensed in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. The firm handles cases across multiple states and maintains a track record of success in personal injury claims.
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Contact: Contact through website | https://welsh-law.com/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation
3. Rensch & Rensch Law
Focus Area: Personal injury, workers’ compensation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall, workers’ compensation, wrongful death
Background: 60 years of combined experience with over 100 jury trials litigated. The firm has achieved significant results including a $1.2 million wrongful death judgment, $6+ million settlement in federal court litigation, and $3.18 million settlement in a complex negligence claim. Licensed to practice in Nebraska and Iowa, serving clients throughout Douglas County, Sarpy County, Saunders County, and Lancaster County.
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.renschandrensch.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation
4. Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O.
Focus Area: Personal injury, insurance disputes
Practice Areas: Car accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall, wrongful death
Background: Several attorneys at the firm previously worked for insurance companies, providing insight into insurance company tactics for minimizing or denying claims. The firm limits the number of cases accepted to provide focused, personalized representation for serious injury matters.
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Contact: Contact through website | https://injurylawyersinomaha.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Law Office of Matthew A. Lathrop, PC, LLO
Focus Area: Personal injury, wrongful death, trial litigation
Practice Areas: Vehicle crashes, slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, construction accidents, amusement park injuries, parking lot incidents, wrongful death
Background: Attorney Matthew Lathrop was elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers (1% of lawyers nationally) and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Consistently receives AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell in annual peer voting. The firm represents clients in both Nebraska and Iowa, with multiple Omaha office locations and virtual meeting options.
Location: Omaha, Nebraska (multiple offices)
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.lathroplawomaha.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available in-person or virtually
Personal Injury Laws in Nebraska
Statute of Limitations
Nebraska provides a four-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases under Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 25-207, including car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and other negligence claims. Medical malpractice claims have a shorter two-year deadline, or one year from discovery if the injury was not immediately apparent (whichever is earlier), with an absolute ten-year limit. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years. Workers’ compensation claims carry a two-year deadline. Claims against government entities on government-owned property have only a one-year filing window. Product liability claims (excluding asbestos) have a five-year statute of limitations. Defamation claims must be filed within one year.
Negligence Rules
Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence system under Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 25-21,185.09. An injured person can recover damages only if their fault is less than 50%. If you are found to be 50% or more responsible for your injuries, you cannot recover any compensation. When your fault is under 50%, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are 15% at fault and your total damages equal $20,000, you would recover $17,000.
Damage Caps
Nebraska does not impose a general cap on damages in most personal injury cases. Economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are both uncapped for typical car accidents, premises liability, and other negligence claims. Medical malpractice cases are the exception: Nebraska caps combined economic and non-economic damages at $2.25 million under Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 44-2825. This cap represents the final increase in a graduated schedule that began at $500,000 for cases before December 31, 1984.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Nebraska operates as an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for resulting damages. Minimum liability insurance requirements are 25/50/25: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Nebraska also mandates uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. This coverage is required by Nebraska Revised Statute 44-6408, though insurers can offer higher limits up to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. Proof of insurance is required for vehicle registration and must be carried while driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Nebraska’s four-year statute of limitations compare to Iowa for Omaha-area accidents?
Nebraska provides four years for most personal injury claims while Iowa allows only two years. Accidents occurring in Council Bluffs or other Iowa communities follow Iowa’s shorter deadline. The location of the accident, not your residence, determines which state’s laws apply. This distinction becomes significant for Omaha residents who commute across the Missouri River or are injured in Iowa while traveling.
What special rules apply to accidents on government property in Omaha?
Claims against Nebraska state or local government entities face stricter deadlines than standard personal injury claims. You have only one year to file suit for accidents occurring on government-owned property, compared to four years for private property incidents. Municipal roads, parks, public buildings, and government vehicles all fall under these rules. Filing with the appropriate government body before suit may also be required.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for my Omaha accident?
Nebraska’s modified comparative negligence rule allows recovery only when your fault is below 50%. At exactly 50% or higher, you receive nothing. Below 50%, your recovery is reduced proportionally. Insurance adjusters commonly argue shared fault to reduce settlements. Intersection accidents, lane change collisions, and incidents where you arguably contributed to the hazard frequently involve comparative fault disputes.
How does Nebraska’s no-pay, no-play law affect uninsured drivers?
Under Nebraska’s no-pay, no-play provisions, drivers who were uninsured at the time of an accident may face limitations on their damage recovery, even if they were not at fault for the collision. This law creates incentive to maintain required insurance coverage and can significantly impact uninsured drivers who are injured by other negligent motorists.
What should I know about truck accident claims on I-80 near Omaha?
Interstate 80 carries significant commercial truck traffic through the Omaha area. Truck accident claims often involve multiple potentially liable parties including the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, and cargo loaders. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations govern commercial trucking operations and can establish grounds for negligence claims. These cases frequently require investigation into driver logs, maintenance records, and company safety practices. Due to the severity of injuries in truck collisions, damage claims often exceed minimum insurance limits, making identification of all insurance coverage sources important.