Omaha Interstate Accident Lawyer

Nebraska Car Accident Statistics

According to Nebraska’s 2017 Traffic Crash Facts, about 6.8 percent of all crashes occurred on an interstate; however, the fatality rate for crashes on interstates was at 9.5 percent. They also present the following data for urban interstates:

• 1306 total crashes
• 7 fatal crashes where 9 people lost their lives
• 448 injury crashes where 613 people were injured
• 851 crashes that resulted in only property damage

In interstate accidents, fatal injuries were more likely when people weren’t wearing their seatbelts. About 60.5 percent of people in fatal accidents were not using their seatbelts at the time, while 49.5 percent of people involved in crashes that resulted in serious injuries, but no fatalities, were wearing their seatbelts.

Dangerous Nebraska Interstates

One of the most dangerous roads in Nebraska is Interstate 80. This road runs from California to New Jersey and crosses through Nebraska. In 2014, there were 114 deaths on the highway. The I-80 stretch in Nebraska has had 139 fatal crashes between 2010 and 2016.

US-83 is another highway where car accidents happen on a regular basis. This route runs for 222 miles and is meant to be a scenic drive. This long stretch of road, however, has had fatal accidents. Drivers must be aware of other drivers and their surroundings to stay as safe as possible.

You can learn more about the types of dangerous roads in Nebraska here.

What Makes Interstates Dangerous?

You may be wondering about the risks of driving on an interstate. It isn’t that it’s inherently more dangerous than driving around town—that has its own risks like fender-benders, parking lot crashes, and accidents that occur because someone failed to stop at a red light or stop sign—but interstates have unique risks that drivers should be aware of.

• High Speeds. Interstates and highways typically have a speed limit between 65 to 75 MPH. While this lets people get to their destinations more quickly, there’s a greater chance of serious injuries in high-speed crashes. These situations are where wearing a seatbelt can be the difference between life and death.
• Multiple Kinds of Vehicles. When you’re driving around town, you’re probably sharing the road with other passenger vehicles and the occasional motorcyclist. On the highway, you’re also surrounded by tractor-trailers. A semi truck’s increased size and weight can increase the severity of a crash and injuries. They also run the risk of jack-knifing or rolling over.
• Possibly Longer Travel Times. People who travel on the interstate may have been on the road for a long time, or they’re in the middle of a multiple day trip where they’ve been driving long hours over the past few days. This means that there’s a chance of fatigued drivers getting behind the wheel. They’re more susceptible to falling asleep at the wheel, running off the road, drifting out of their lane, and failing to make quick decisions.

Whatever the reason is for the accident, it doesn’t mean it’s okay that it happened. Negligent drivers need to take responsibility for their actions. Reckless drivers that speed or know they’re not in any condition to drive but choose to do so anyway could have caused you to sustain major injuries. The burden of affording medical expenses, property damage, and other costs from an accident shouldn’t fall solely on your shoulders. That’s why one of our interstate accident attorneys will help you win a settlement you deserve.

Nebraska Multiple Vehicle Accidents on Highways

A major threat to interstate safety is a multiple vehicle crash, which is also known as a chain reaction accident. This occurs when more than two cars are involved in a wreck where the force of the initial accident affects the cars around them. This could happen, for example, if Car 1 rear-ended Car 2, which pushed Car 2 to hit the back of Car 3, and Car 3 ended up hitting Car 4.

The fault doesn’t always fall on one person alone. It’s possible that more than one person was driving negligently and caused the accident. On busy interstates and highways, multiple vehicle accidents can be deadly, especially when larger vehicles like big rigs are involved. There’s a possibility of drivers getting catastrophic injuries and also risking ejection through the windshield if they aren’t properly restrained.

Welsh & Welsh Is Here for You

We’ve been defending the rights of Nebraska citizens for years and take pride in getting the results that help them recover. An auto accident attorneys will hold negligent people responsible for their actions and show them that they cannot continue to drive recklessly.

You’ll have peace of mind that your settlement will help you afford the costs of care and missing work, so you can focus on healing. If you have any questions, please contact us today. We can speak more about your case in a free consultation.