Types of Car Accidents in Omaha

Every time you pull out of your driveway, there’s a chance you could be injured in a car accident. Crashes can happen anytime and anywhere—and in many different ways. In 2020 alone, there were more than 9,000 crashes in Douglas County, resulting in 3,219 injuries and 41 deaths.

Car accidents can range in severity from low-speed fender-benders to high-speed head-on collisions, but they all have the potential to cause serious and disabling injuries. When they do, it’s important to have experienced legal representation on your side to help you get the compensation you deserve.

The Omaha car accident lawyers at Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling have more than 50 years of combined experience building claims for injured people throughout Omaha, and we know what it takes to win. If you or someone you love was injured in a crash, we want to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Understanding How Collisions Occur

There are many different ways two or more vehicles can collide. Some of the most common car accidents we see on Omaha’s roads include:

• Rear-End Collisions: These crashes occur when one vehicle strikes the back of another, often due to speeding, tailgating, or distracted driving. Even at low speeds, rear-end collisions can cause serious injuries such as whiplash, back injuries, and concussions.
• Side-Swipe Collisions: These accidents happen when two vehicles traveling parallel make contact, typically due to unsafe lane changes, merging errors, or failure to check blind spots. Side-swipe collisions can cause drivers to lose control, leading to more severe crashes.
• Head-On Collisions: Among the most dangerous types of crashes, head-on collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide. These accidents often result in severe or fatal injuries due to the force of impact, frequently caused by distracted driving, wrong-way driving, or impaired driving.
• T-Bone Collisions: Also known as side-impact crashes, these occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape. They are common at intersections and often result in serious injuries, particularly to occupants on the impacted side.
• Multi-Vehicle Collisions: These accidents involve three or more vehicles and often occur on highways or in heavy traffic conditions. Chain-reaction crashes are common in poor weather or when drivers fail to maintain safe following distances, leading to complex liability issues.
• Intersection Accidents: These crashes occur when vehicles collide while navigating an intersection, often due to running red lights, failing to yield, or making improper turns. Intersection accidents can be especially dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Rollover Accidents: These crashes happen when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof, often due to high speeds, sharp turns, or impact with another vehicle or object. SUVs and trucks are particularly susceptible to rollovers, which frequently cause severe injuries or fatalities.
• Single-Vehicle Accidents: These involve only one vehicle and can be caused by driver error, poor road conditions, or mechanical failures. Common examples include running off the road, hitting a stationary object, or losing control due to adverse weather.

Factors That Lead to Car Accidents

Just as there are many different types of car accidents, there are also several different factors that can cause or contribute to crashes in Omaha. Almost all crashes are caused by at least one of these factors, and many are because of two or more:

• Distracted Driving: Taking attention away from the road, such as by texting, eating, or using in-car technology, increases the risk of accidents and delayed reaction times.
• Impaired Driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs reduces coordination, judgment, and reaction time, making crashes more likely and often more severe.
• Speeding or Reckless Driving: Exceeding speed limits or engaging in aggressive driving behaviors, such as weaving through traffic or tailgating, increases the likelihood of losing control and causing a crash.
• Fatigue or Drowsy Driving: Driving while excessively tired impairs reaction time and decision-making, making it nearly as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Vehicle Defects: Mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or faulty steering systems, can cause a driver to lose control and lead to serious accidents.
• Road Hazards or Weather Conditions: Lack of regular road maintenance, potholes, heavy rain, snow, or ice can create dangerous driving conditions that contribute to loss of control and collisions.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Omaha

Being involved in a car accident is painful, traumatic, and confusing. It can be difficult to know what to do next when you’re focused on ensuring you and your loved ones are okay. However, the steps you take in the moments, hours, and days after a crash can have a big impact on your health and your right to full compensation.

The closer you can follow these steps after a crash, the better:

• Move to Safety if Possible: If your vehicle is drivable and you are not seriously injured, move to a safe location to prevent further accidents.
• Call 911: Report the accident to emergency services so police and medical personnel can respond and document the scene.
• Document the Scene: Take photos of the vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and any other relevant details to support your insurance claim or legal case.
• Collect Driver and Witness Info: Exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver and gather statements or contact information from any witnesses.
• Seek Medical Treatment: Even if you feel fine, get checked by a doctor to identify any hidden injuries that could worsen over time.
• Inform Your Insurer: Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible to start the claims process.
• Reach Out to Omaha Accident Lawyers: Contacting an experienced personal injury firm can help protect your rights and maximize your compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Common Car Accident Injuries

The forces generated during car accidents are immense—even at relatively low speeds. Seat belts and airbags can help significantly reduce the risk of severe and fatal injuries, but they can’t eliminate them entirely. It’s common for drivers and passengers to suffer at least one injury during crashes, and many vehicle occupants suffer several.

Some of the most common injuries we see when injured victims come to us for help include:

• Whiplash: A sudden jerking motion of the neck during a crash can strain soft tissues, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
• Lacerations: Sharp debris, broken glass, or impact with hard surfaces can cause deep cuts that may require stitches and leave permanent scars.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: High-impact collisions can result in broken arms, legs, ribs, or other bones, often requiring surgery and extensive recovery time.
• Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, or even paralysis, significantly impacting a victim’s quality of life.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions: Head trauma from a crash can lead to concussions or more severe brain injuries, affecting memory, cognition, and overall function.
• Internal Injuries: Blunt-force trauma from a collision can cause internal bleeding or organ damage, which may not be immediately noticeable but can be life-threatening.
• Crush Injuries: Severe crashes can trap limbs under wreckage, causing extreme damage that may require surgical amputation to save a victim’s life.

Getting Compensation After a Car Accident in Omaha

In addition to being painful and disabling, car accidents can also be expensive. They can put a sudden and extreme burden on your finances, making it difficult to keep up with your day-to-day expenses while you manage the costs of the crash. However, you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for damages after a crash that wasn’t your fault.

At Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, we help injured victims like you get compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: Compensation can cover hospital bills, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical care needed due to the accident.
• Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity: If injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to recover lost income as well as compensation for any future earnings you can no longer earn.
• Pain and Suffering: Victims can seek damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact the accident has had on their quality of life.

No Matter the Car Accident Type, We Can Help

The aftermath of a crash can be overwhelming. You know you need compensation, but you don’t know where to start. To make matters worse, the insurance company may not provide the assistance or compassion you expected, leaving you on your own to figure out how to stay afloat financially.

Our Omaha car accident attorneys will build your claim from the ground up to maximize your chances of success. When you contact our team, you’ll get peace of mind knowing we’re taking the following steps to help you win:

• Gathering and Organizing the Necessary Evidence: We will collect police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any other crucial documentation to build a strong case.
• Ensuring All Filing Requirements and Deadlines Are Met: Our team will handle all legal paperwork and ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time to protect your rights.
• Negotiating With Insurers and Counter Their Tactics: We will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to prevent lowball offers and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
• Treating You With Care and Respect: We understand the challenges you’re facing and will provide personalized support and guidance every step of the way.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today

When it comes to car accident claims, experience matters. At Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, we have more than half a century’s worth of personal injury law experience. We know how to construct successful claims and counter uncooperative insurance companies’ moves every step of the way.

You’ve been through enough already. Focus on recovering and spending time with your family, and let us focus on getting you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation—we’re ready to help.