Rural driving is completely different than driving in an urban area. Traffic is significantly quieter, there are fewer traffic lights and signs to stop at, and traveling can be considerably less stressful. Even with those benefits, there are dangers associated with driving on rural roads.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the majority of highway fatalities take place on rural roads. While only 19 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, nearly 54 percent of crash fatalities occur on these roads. It’s important to understand how to avoid accidents in these areas by recognizing why the numbers are so high. Let’s take a look at the rural accident information for Nebraska.

We all know that talking or texting on a hand-held device while behind the wheel is dangerous. Just in Nebraska, there are thousands of distracted driving-related car accident every year. Many of these are a result of using a cell phone. But what about hands-free devices? Are they able to prevent distracted accidents by putting drivers’ hands back on the wheel?

A hands-free device could be the speakerphone feature on your device, a Bluetooth earpiece, or the dashboard system installed in your vehicle. Although hands-free devices are generally safer than those that are handheld, they are not risk-free. There are still a number of dangers involved when a driver does not fully concentrate on the road.

Rear-end collisions are among the most common type of motor vehicle accident. While something that is often referred to as a “fender bender” may not seem severe, this type of collision is particularly dangerous because drivers are often caught off guard. This shock can significantly impact how our bodies handle the crash because we may not be given the chance to brace ourselves.

No matter the severity of your accident, if it was caused by the negligent actions of another driver, you have the right to take legal action. Dealing with insurance companies can be complicated. That stress may be compounded if you’re dealing with the physical consequences of your accident. Our attorneys at Welsh & Welsh PC, LLO are prepared to provide you with the legal representation you deserve, so you fully understand what you are entitled to, to aid in your recovery.

One of the most commonly violated traffic laws is failing to properly stop at a stop sign. These road signs exist to protect drivers at potentially dangerous intersections. If a negligent driver decides to yield through the signs or simply run it, they are putting other drivers and passengers at risk for serious injury or worse.

Whether you’re parallel parking, backing in or out of a spot, or leaving your driveway, driving in reverse is a common vehicle maneuver. Just like with any other maneuver, accidents can happen. Some collisions, unfortunately, result in serious injuries or worse. If you’ve been injured in a backover accident, our Nebraska car accident lawyers are can provide you with the legal guidance you need and deserve.

Defining Backover Accidents

Backover car or truck accidents occur when a driver operates their vehicle in reverse and unknowingly backs into or over someone else. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are at least half a million backing accidents of some type every year in the United States. Of those 500,000 collisions, 15,000 result in injuries and there are over 200 deaths.

Our vehicles are designed to get us where we’re going and to get us there safely. In the event you find yourself the victim of an accident, you’ll undoubtedly want your vehicle’s safety features to hold up and keep you from sustaining any serious injuries. In some instances, however, those safety features fail and you or your passengers may be injured beyond what you would have been if those features had been effective.

In October 2018, a limousine crash killed 20 people in New York. The operator of the limousine company, Nauman Hussain, was charged with criminally negligent homicide. The limo company is in Wilton, New York. They owned the vehicle involved in the crash, a 2001 Ford Excursion. The 18 passengers in the limo were killed, including the driver, along with two bystanders.

Upon investigating the crash and the limo company, it’s been found that the limo failed two inspections this year. The vehicle’s brakes weren’t working properly. Even though the vehicle wasn’t up to inspection, it was still sent out. There are two investigations concerning this crash. The New York State Police Department’s criminal investigation and the National Transportation Safety Board is also looking into it.

The time after a car crash should be spent recovering; however, you’ll also need to file a claim with your insurance company. The soon you do this, the sooner you’ll find out what sort of compensation you’re eligible for.

Insurance companies follow certain steps to investigate a car crash. There are things you can do to help speed the process along, which mostly involves having the necessary information ready when it’s needed. If you are awarded a settlement, it may contain compensation for economic and noneconomic damages.

Keep reading to learn about how insurance companies investigate a car crash, so you know what to expect when you make your first call.

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are more common than we’d like to think. When these crimes are solved, the guilty party is often found to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It’s also likely they panicked and simply left the scene. When these crimes go unsolved, the victim is often left confused and worried about proving their claim to an insurance provider.

While there is no specific timeline for a hit-and-run investigation, the following information will give you an idea of what to expect if you’re the victim of such an accident.

Driving requires your mental, physical, visual, and auditory attention at all times. Getting distracted for even a few seconds can have devastating consequences. In the past, alcohol and speeding were the leading causes of auto accidents; however, incidents of distracted driving are on the rise. In 2014, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 were injured as a result of distracted driving collisions.

While there are multiple ways a person can get distracted while driving, cell phones are a primary cause. In 2013, nearly 15 percent of all distracted driving accidents involved drivers using a cell phone. This percentage is even higher when you look at the 20-29 age group – where almost 40 percent of distracted driver accidents were caused by texting, calling, or emailing. In order to understand why these accidents occur, it’s important to recognize how distracted driving affects the brain.