Omaha Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Imagine that you are involved in a sudden car accident on Nebraska’s roads and the other driver leaves the scene. Imagine that you are a pedestrian or a bicyclist who has been run over and before you even know what has happened you hear the other driver drive off.

These exact scenarios are much more common than you may think. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) studies reveal that the number of fatal hit-and-run accidents increased from 2009 to 2011. Thousands upon thousands of drivers leave the scene of an accident each year all across America.

Hit-and-run accidents are particularly dangerous because sometimes the only other person on the road is the person who has caused the accident. If he or she does not call for help, then the other person’s injuries may become fatal. What could have been only a serious injury may turn into a fatal accident.

Nebraska’s Hit and Run Laws

A hit-and-run accident is one that occurs whenever a driver collides with a person or object and also fails to stop. This includes colliding with:

• Moving cars
• Pedestrians
• Bicyclists
• Motorcyclists

Even though most people are well aware that they are required to stop after an accident and call for medical and law enforcement assistance, sometimes people panic. They see the accident that they have caused and become so frightened that they continue to drive and hope that they are not caught.

In Nebraska, Section 60-697 of the Nebraska Code requires everyone involved in an accident to seek medical attention for anyone who has been injured. Even if no one is injured, if there is property damage, drivers must stop and provide contact information and they must file an accident report within 10 days.

When negligent drivers fail to follow the laws they should be held responsible. Our attorneys will help you hold all of them accountable.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Hit & Run?

Failure to follow these laws is a criminal violation. In addition to the criminal consequences of a hit-and-run accident, there are also potential personal injury lawsuit consequences. When someone is injured in a hit-and-run accident, they should retain a lawyer to defend their rights.

A lawyer in a hit-and-run accident can help you file a lawsuit that helps you get the compensation that you deserve. This may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost limbs
• Pain and suffering
• Wages lost due to time off of work
• Rehabilitation costs

The settlement you receive after an accident will depend on the specific damages that you experienced. An experienced attorney can work with you to determine the damages you deserve after your accident.

Collecting Evidence After the Accident

Because the driver who committed a hit-and-run fled the scene, it is important to hire an attorney with access to experienced investigators. In-depth research will be necessary to identify, locate and sue the person who has harmed you and your loved ones.

Because drivers who leave a scene after an accident are committing a crime, an attorney may also be able to request punitive damages. By intentionally leaving the scene, a driver endangers everyone and therefore may be held more responsible than a driver who stops and provides assistance and waits for the police to arrive.

An attorney will interview witnesses and build your case so that the insurance company knows that you are well represented.

Insurance companies are notorious for offering injured car accident victims the lowest possible settlement that they can get away with. It is vital that you hire an attorney, so that you are not taken advantage of after an accident.

Do not accept any settlements without consulting with an attorney. Only someone on your side will give you straight answers about how much your case is worth.

Inkelaar Law: Your Trusted Hit & Run Accident Attorneys

At Inkelaar Law, we handle all hit-and-run and car accident cases on a contingency fee basis What this means is that no matter how severe your injury, if you hire us you don’t pay a dime until we win your case.

It is important to us that injured residents get their day in court without having to pay money just to get their financial compensation.

As a local Omaha attorney, Thomas Inkelaar knows exactly how to represent all of your rights in courts throughout the states.

Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. Our firm will review the facts of your case and tell how to move forward with filing a potential personal injury claim.