1. Friedman Law Offices
Focus Area: Personal injury and workers’ compensation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, catastrophic injuries
Background: Established in 1962, making it one of the oldest Nebraska law firms dedicated exclusively to personal injury cases. Herbert J. Friedman founded the firm, and it has been serving Nebraska residents for over 60 years. The firm handles cases other attorneys have rejected.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Contact: (402) 334-3000 | https://www.friedmanlaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorney fee unless the firm recovers money. All case investigation and litigation costs are advanced by the firm.
2. Berry Law
Focus Area: Personal injury and criminal defense
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, product liability, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, workplace injuries, wrongful death
Background: Berry Law has a proven track record handling personal injury cases throughout Nebraska. The firm employs a team approach, providing multiple attorney perspectives on each case. Their attorneys are licensed in Nebraska state and federal courts.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska (with additional offices in Omaha)
Contact: (402) 466-8444 | https://jsberrylaw.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation available online or by phone. Contingency fee structure.
3. Cullan & Cullan LLC
Focus Area: Personal injury with medical expertise
Practice Areas: Car accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, catastrophic injuries, premises liability
Background: The firm’s attorneys hold dual qualifications as both lawyers and medical doctors. This unique combination allows them to evaluate cases from both medical and legal perspectives, providing clients with comprehensive understanding of injury nature and extent.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska (main office in Omaha)
Contact: (402) 397-7600 | https://www.doctorspracticinglaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm handles both negotiation and litigation phases of personal injury claims.
4. Liberty Law Group
Focus Area: Criminal defense and personal injury
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death, insurance disputes, premises liability
Background: Liberty Law Group represents clients in both Nebraska and Iowa, with attorneys licensed in both states. The firm has offices in Lincoln and Omaha and regularly handles cases in Lancaster County and Douglas County courts.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska and Omaha, Nebraska
Contact: (402) 865-0501 | https://libertylawgroup.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm works on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases.
5. Cada, Jewson & Bryant
Focus Area: Civil litigation and personal injury
Practice Areas: Car accidents, medical malpractice, slip and falls, dog bites, nursing home neglect, product liability, wrongful death
Background: Founded in 1974, the firm has over 50 years of combined experience. The attorneys handle personal injury claims in Nebraska, and their team includes members of the Nebraska State Bar Association and Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA).
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Contact: (402) 477-2233 | https://cadalaw.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available for personal injury matters.
Personal Injury Laws in Nebraska
Statute of Limitations
Nebraska sets a four-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and other negligence-based claims (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207). Specific deadlines include:
Medical malpractice claims: Two years from the date of the alleged malpractice (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 44-2828)
Wrongful death claims: Two years from the date of death
Workers’ compensation claims: Two years from the injury date
Claims against government entities: One year to file
Product liability claims: Four years from the date of injury (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-224)
Minors have until four years after turning 19 to file a personal injury claim.
Negligence Rules
Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence rule (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,185.09). Under this system, an injured person can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. If the injured party is found to be 50% or more negligent, they cannot collect any damages. When partial fault is assigned, the compensation is reduced proportionally by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party.
Damage Caps
Nebraska has no general cap on damages in personal injury cases. However, medical malpractice claims are capped at $2.25 million total, which includes both economic damages (medical bills, lost income) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). This cap applies to malpractice occurrences after December 31, 2014 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 44-2825).
Auto Insurance Requirements
Nebraska is an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for causing an accident is liable for damages. Minimum required coverage includes:
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 property damage liability per accident
Nebraska also requires uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at the same minimum limits as bodily injury liability. This coverage is mandated by Nebraska Revised Statute 44-6408. Drivers must carry proof of insurance at all times, and driving without insurance is a Class II misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I am partially at fault for my car accident in Lincoln?
Under Nebraska’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover compensation if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you will be barred from recovering any compensation from the other party.
How long do I have to file an injury claim after a slip and fall accident on a Lincoln business property?
For slip and fall accidents on private or business property in Lincoln, you generally have four years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, if the accident occurred on government-owned property (such as a city sidewalk or public building), you only have one year to file your claim. It is advisable to consult with an attorney promptly to preserve evidence.
Do I need uninsured motorist coverage in Nebraska even though insurance is required?
Yes, Nebraska law mandates that all auto insurance policies include uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Despite legal requirements, approximately 8% of Nebraska drivers are uninsured. UM/UIM coverage protects you if you are injured by a driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your injuries and damages.
Can I recover damages if I was injured by a dog in Lincoln?
Nebraska has a strict liability statute for dog bites (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 54-601). This means the dog owner is liable for injuries caused by their animal regardless of the dog’s prior behavior or the owner’s attempts to control it. The owner will be held responsible except in rare circumstances, such as if the injured person was trespassing on the owner’s property at the time of the attack.
What compensation can I seek after a serious car accident in Lancaster County?
After a car accident in Lancaster County, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses (including hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care), lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage. Nebraska has no cap on these damages for standard personal injury cases, though medical malpractice claims are subject to a $2.25 million cap.