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Nebraska Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Omaha, Lincoln, or elsewhere in Nebraska, The Advocates are here to help.

A Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

The Advocates have taken on thousands of bicycle accident cases over the last three decades, and we are ready to take yours. Our competent, experienced personal injury lawyers are standing by to listen to your story and get you started on the road to recovery.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, you need an Advocate for your personal injury claim. Contact our Nebraska bicycle accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Treatment Completed

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.

Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 

We can help you:

  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies
  • Take your case to court if necessary

You only pay if we win your case!

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Nebraska Bicycle Accident Statistics

41% of bicycle cases in Nebraska occur in crosswalks

Where do bicycle deaths occur?

  • The highest rate of bicycle accidents in Nebraska occur in crosswalks (41%)
  • Nationwide, fatalities and serious injuries are most likely to occur in urban areas, but the opposite is true for Nebraska: rural areas see far more serious accidents than urban ones
  • More collisions happen in the summer months than any other time of the year, with the highest number of collisions occurring in September
  • Men are far more likely to be injured or killed in a collision with a motorist while biking

Nebraska state bicycle accident statistics  

  • Car accidents involving bicycles kill around 2 cyclists in Nebraska every year. According to the NHTSA, Nebraska had the lowest bicycle accident fatality rate of any state in 2019
  • Statewide, around 250 bicycle riders are injured in accidents with motor vehicles annually
  • The age group most likely to be involved in a bicycle crash are those between 11-25
  • Nearly 75% of bicycle accident fatalities occur in rural areas
  • 64% of Nebraska bicycle accidents occur in the daytime
  • Nearly 25% of all traffic accidents involving cyclists occur when the cyclist is illegally riding against traffic
  • Intoxicated bicyclists are 2,000% more likely to be involved in an accident than sober bikers
  • Cyclists who ride in groups are less likely to be struck by a vehicle than those who ride alone
250 bicyclists injured in Nebraska
60% of fatalities occur without helmets

Bicycle helmet statistics 

  • Around 60% of fatal bicycle accidents happen to riders who are not wearing a helmet 
  • In the majority of bicycle accidents, the most serious injuries are to the head
  • More injured cyclists check into emergency rooms for head injuries every year than participants of any other sport
  • Helmet users are less likely to be hospitalized after an accident than non-helmeted riders
  • Men are less likely to wear helmets while riding than women
  • Children whose bicycle helmets fit poorly are at twice the risk for head injury while riding than children with properly fitting safety gear

Common causes of bike accidents

  • Distracted driving: Motorists become much more dangerous and unpredictable when texting or talking on the phone
  • Impaired driving: Bike accidents are far more likely to happen when the driver or bicycle rider is under the influence
  • Poor visibility: Cycling on poorly lit roads or riding without proper reflective gear makes it difficult for drivers to see bikers
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way: If motorists or cyclists are unfamiliar with the traffic laws in the area, they may enter intersections when it is not safe to do so, endangering those around them
  • Bad weather: When conditions are rainy or icy, it is easy for drivers or cyclists to lose control and swerve out of their lane
bicyclist riding through a heavy rainstorm
Common injuries for bicyclists

Common bicycle accident injuries 

Depending on the nature of your accident and the protective gear you were wearing at the time, bicycle accident injuries can range from road rash to life-threatening conditions. Some common injuries bicycle accident victims face are:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Broken bones
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Scrapes and bruising

Nebraska Bicycle Laws

motorists need to give bicyclists 3 feet of space

How much space must motorists give bicyclists?

Nebraska has a safe passing law, which requires motorists to give 3 feet of space between themselves and a cyclist.

Does a bicyclist have to use the shoulder of the road in Nebraska?

Cyclists do not need to ride on the shoulder of the road, however, bicycles should be ridden as close to the right side of the road as is safe. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Cyclists may depart from the right side of the road under the following conditions:

  • When passing a slow-moving vehicle driving in the right lane
  • When making a left turn
  • When debris or other hazards are present on the right side of the road
  • On a one-way road with two or more lanes

Cyclists may not ride on limited-access roads such as freeways.

Road bicyclist rides near the shoulder of a road
Courier with red thermal backpack on bicycle delivering pizza.

Can I ride a bicycle on the sidewalk?

In general, bicycles are allowed to be ridden on sidewalks in Nebraska. However, some cities and towns, such as Lincoln, have restrictions against it. It is important to be informed of the laws in any area you plan to ride.

When riding on the sidewalk, cyclists should adhere to the following rules:

  • Yield to pedestrians
  • Give an audible warning when passing pedestrians or other non-motorists
  • Follow all the signs and signals for pedestrians, including crossing at crosswalks

Do bicyclists have to obey stop lights and stop signs?

When traveling on roadways, cyclists must follow the same rules of the road as motorists. It is important that bikers follow these laws, because intersections can be a particularly dangerous place for bicycles. 

Bicyclists should obey all the same signs and signals that motorists do, including:

  • Stop signs
  • Red lights
  • Yield signs
  • Lane markings
  • Railroad crossings
Stop sign on a blue background
Bicyclist uses hand signal on city street

What are the hand signal rules for bicyclists?

When turning, cyclists should use the universally-recognized hand signals to alert drivers to their intentions. Just as motorists are required to use their blinkers when changing direction, so too should bikers. The law requires cyclists to signal at least 100 feet before their turn.

In general, hand signals should be done using the left arm. The  following hand signals help communicate your plans to drivers:

  • Left turn: extend your left arm straight out to the side, parallel to the ground
  • Right turn: extend your left arm out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees so your forearm points straight up OR extend your right arm straight out to the side
  • Stop: extend your left arm out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees so your forearm points down toward the ground

Do bicyclists need both hands on the handlebars at all times?

NRS 60-6,315 states that bikers must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times when riding on roadways. Of course, using two hands when biking provides you with more control and is the safer option.

Riding on roadways without either hand on the handlebars is both dangerous and illegal. 

Cyclists must also have both feet on the pedals at all times.

close up on hands on a handle bar
Father and child riding a bicycle in the park

What is the number of persons allowed on a bicycle?

State law requires that everyone on a bicycle must have their own seat. Tandem bikes can ride on the road, but can only carry one person for every seat on the bike.

What equipment must be on a bicycle in Nebraska?

Nebraska law requires all bicycles on public roadways to be equipped with the following:

  • A red rear reflector is required to be mounted on the bicycle. This reflector should be visible at up to 300 feet. Even if your bike has a tail light, you must also have a red reflector.
  • When riding at night, cyclists must have a white light attached to the front of their bike. This light must be visible from at least 500 feet
  • Brakes that allow the bicycle to stop within 25 feet when traveling at 10 miles per hour on dry pavement 
reflectors on a white background

When Should I Hire a Nebraska Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you will need to prove that the driver of the vehicle was at fault in order to receive any damages. Nebraska is a modified comparative fault state, meaning that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still receive a settlement. Your settlement will be reduced according to the level of responsibility you had in causing the crash.

Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to avoid compensating you fairly for your damages. They may try to diminish the severity of your injuries or deny liability altogether. Obtaining the settlement you deserve will likely not be an easy task.

The Advocates are Nebraska bicycle accident lawyers with years of experience negotiating with insurance providers and fighting for their clients’ right to fair compensation under the law. We understand that when recovering from debilitating injuries, the last thing you want to do is navigate your way through a complex legal process. 

We are here to help every step of the way, from building your case to helping you understand your medical bills. We will be by your side to listen to your story, understand your needs, and fight for your best interests. Contact us today for a free consultation and to get started on the road to recovery.

You deserve an attorney who cares. You deserve an Advocate.

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