You're still shaken from the car accident that occurred last week. The other driver seemed distracted, but you're not entirely sure what caused them to drift into your lane. Now you're wondering if understanding the specific cause could affect your insurance claim or potential lawsuit.
At Beck & Beck, our firm has handled thousands of car and truck wreck cases. To effectively build your claim for compensation, it’s important to know exactly what happened and why. Let's examine the leading causes of Nebraska car accidents.
What Might Have Caused Your Accident
According to crash facts from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, here are some of the most common reasons for collisions.
Distracted Driving
This is an activity that takes a motorist’s attention away from the road, whether it's mental, visual, or physical distraction, such as:
- Cellphone use
- Eating
- Adjusting media or GPS
- Personal grooming
- Reaching for items
- Turning to talk to passengers
A vehicle traveling at 55 mph covers the length of the football field in just five seconds, so even the slightest distractions can be detrimental. And if this behavior causes an accident, it often leaves clear evidence. Phone records, witness statements, and even surveillance footage can prove distraction played a role in the crash.
Weather
The climate in our state creates unique driving hazards throughout the year. Snow and ice in winter reduce traction and visibility. Spring and summer storms produce heavy rain and flooding. Strong winds can make controlling larger vehicles difficult.
Driver behavior like speeding and following too closely compounds already hazardous conditions. So, negligent motorists can be held liable for causing an accident if it’s proven they exceeded safety measures during inclement weather.
Impaired Driving
Drunk driving remains a serious problem on Nebraska roads. Additionally, drugged driving involving both illegal substances and prescription medications has increased in recent years. Drugs and alcohol impair judgment, slow reaction times, and reduce coordination.
When impaired driving causes an accident, victims may be entitled to additional compensation. Evidence such as blood alcohol tests, field sobriety results, and police reports show clear liability in these cases.
Aggressive Driving and Road Rage
While occasional impatience is common, aggressive driving crosses the line into deliberate, unsafe behavior that puts others at risk. These actions include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Running red lights
Accidents caused by aggressive driving and road rage often result from a pattern of dangerous behavior leading up to the crash. Witness accounts of the at-fault motorist’s actions before the collision may be pivotable in your case.
Driver Fatigue and Drowsy Driving
Long work hours, interrupted sleep patterns, and certain medications can all contribute to driver fatigue. Drowsy driving is typical in commercial truck accidents where drivers may exceed permitted hours of service regulations.
While more difficult to prove than drunk driving, fatigue often leaves clues—for example, a lack of skid marks indicating the driver never attempted to brake. Work records, cellphone data, and witness observations can also show that fatigue played a role.
Mechanical Failures and Vehicle Defects
Sometimes accidents result from equipment failures rather than driver error. Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering malfunctions, and other mechanical issues can cause control issues. So these types of cases might involve third-party liability.
Manufacturers, maintenance providers, or parts suppliers could share responsibility if defective equipment contributed to the crash.
Why Understanding the Cause of Your Car Accident Matters
This rationale impacts every aspect of your personal injury claim. It determines which insurance policies apply, what evidence needs to be preserved, and how to approach settlement negotiations.
For example, if mechanical failure played a role, we'll need to document vehicle maintenance history and preserve the damaged parts. The cause can also impact the damages you can claim. For instance, accidents caused by drunk drivers may allow you to pursue punitive damages in Nebraska.
This is why it’s important to contact law enforcement before leaving the scene of a crash. Police reports contain the following evidence that helps establish the cause:
- Driver statements
- Road conditions
- Traffic violations
- Field sobriety tests
Additionally, some collisions have more than one cause and knowing each factor ensures liable parties are held responsible. Having evidence of what caused a crash also protects from insurance companies unfairly placing the blame on you.
How Beck & Beck Investigates
After a crash, a thorough investigation often reveals multiple contributing factors that may not be obvious at first glance. At Beck & Beck, our process for determining the cause includes:
- Analyzing police reports
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting accident reconstruction experts
- Gathering surveillance footage
- Working with medical experts
This detailed investigation establishes liability and strengthens your claim for fair compensation. Additionally, identifying all potential causes helps ensure we pursue your settlement rights from every liable party—whether that's another driver, a vehicle manufacturer, or even a government entity responsible for unsafe road conditions.