What is the average personal injury settlement in Nebraska?

There is no reliable "average" — outcomes range from tens of thousands of dollars to several million depending on the severity of injuries, clarity of liability, and available insurance coverage. Real Nebraska examples from attorney Frank Younes's practice range from $65,000 for a child's mold-exposure injury to $5,400,000 for a child injured in a school bus accident. Any figure quoted as a state average should be treated with skepticism.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nebraska?

Most Nebraska personal injury claims must be filed within four years of the injury under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207. Some claims — such as medical malpractice, claims against government entities, and wrongful death — have shorter deadlines and special notice requirements, so it is important to speak with an attorney promptly.

What if I was partly at fault for my accident in Nebraska?

Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence rule (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,185.09). You can still recover damages if you were partly at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — and if you are found 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing.

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Nebraska?

Most Nebraska personal injury attorneys, including Frank Younes, work on a contingency fee basis: you pay no attorney's fee unless the case is won or settled. The fee is a percentage of the recovery, agreed to in writing before the case begins, and the initial consultation is free.

Nebraska Personal Injury Settlement Examples: Real Amounts From Real Cases

By Frank Younes, Personal Injury Attorney · Omaha, Nebraska · Updated July 2026

If you've been injured in Nebraska, one of the first questions you'll ask is: "What is my case actually worth?" Most articles answer with vague ranges or national statistics that have nothing to do with Nebraska courts, Nebraska juries, or Nebraska insurance carriers.

This page takes a different approach. Below are 38 real settlement and verdict amounts from cases I have personally handled for injured Nebraskans — followed by an honest explanation of the factors that made each number what it was.

DISCLAIMER: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts. The results below are representative of cases handled by Frank Younes and are not an average or typical result. This page is attorney advertising and general information — not legal advice.

Car & Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in Nebraska

$1,275,000Passenger injured in a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident

$500,000Policy-limits recovery for a woman injured in a rear-end collision on Interstate 80

$400,000Man injured in a motor vehicle collision in Holdrege, Nebraska

$325,000Man injured in a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 680 in Omaha

$235,000Woman injured in a motor vehicle collision in Omaha

$230,345Passenger who suffered a neck injury in a low-speed, small-impact collision

$201,000Victim of a motor vehicle accident causing a shoulder injury

$200,000Man who injured his shoulder in a motor vehicle collision in Omaha

$155,000Victim of a rear-end accident on the interstate in Nebraska

$125,000Individual injured in a car crash in Kearney, Nebraska

$100,000Minor passenger injured in a car crash in Papillion, Nebraska

Wrongful Death Settlements in Nebraska

$800,000Family of a woman who died while being held at the Sarpy County Jail

$500,000Family of a special-needs elementary school student who died while at school

$175,000Family of a woman who died in a train-on-vehicle collision at a crossing

Pedestrian, Premises & Other Injury Results

$5,400,000Family of an elementary school child injured in a school bus accident

$2,850,000Victim of a construction site accident

$932,000Jury verdict for a surviving shooting victim

$685,000Victim of medical malpractice from a gastrointestinal surgery gone wrong

$635,000Victim of medical malpractice

$571,332Jury verdict for a pedestrian struck by farm equipment on a gravel road at night

$360,000Pedestrian struck by a car

$300,000Pedestrian injured crossing the street in a marked crosswalk before dawn

$300,000Pedestrian injured in a collision with a city bus

$285,000Woman who injured her knee and ankle in a fall at the mailbox approach of a private residence on a country road in Washington County

$275,000Woman who broke her arm slipping on ice at her apartment complex

$135,000Man who broke his leg slipping on ice in his apartment complex parking lot

$125,000Disputed-liability claim for a pedestrian hit by a car on the side of a dark road at night, breaking his leg

$115,000Man who broke his leg in a fall in his neighbor's driveway

$105,000Woman bitten on the leg by a dog while visiting a friend's home

$100,000Woman bitten on the side and arm by a dog

$76,500Man whose shoulder was injured by a malfunctioning automatic hotel door

$72,500Victim of a dog bite

$65,000Minor child who suffered temporary respiratory issues from mold exposure at an apartment complex

$65,000Recovery against a big box retailer for mishandling a shopping patron incorrectly suspected of shoplifting

The complete list — including business litigation and out-of-state results — is on the case results section of my main page, alongside 39 verified five-star client reviews.

Is There an "Average" Personal Injury Settlement in Nebraska?

Honestly: no meaningful average exists, and you should be cautious with any website that quotes one. Settlements are private, verdicts are sparse, and the range is enormous. As the numbers above show, real Nebraska outcomes in a single law practice span from $65,000 to $5.4 million. What matters is not an average — it's which factors apply to your case.

What Actually Determines a Nebraska Settlement Amount

1. The severity and permanence of your injuries

Medical bills, future care needs, lost earnings, and permanent impairment drive case value more than any other factor. A broken bone that heals is compensated differently than a traumatic brain injury or a lifelong disability.

2. How clear liability is

A rear-end collision with a police report and admissions is straightforward. A pre-dawn pedestrian accident or a fall on ice requires investigation, expert testimony, and a lawyer willing to build the liability case — the difference between a nuisance-value offer and a six-figure recovery.

3. Nebraska's comparative negligence rule

Nebraska follows modified comparative negligence (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,185.09). If you were partly at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — and if a jury puts 50% or more of the blame on you, you recover nothing. Insurance adjusters use this rule aggressively; pushing back on inflated fault allocations is a core part of maximizing a Nebraska settlement.

4. Available insurance coverage

You can only collect what exists. Some of the results above are policy-limits recoveries — every dollar of available coverage. A good attorney finds every applicable policy: liability, underinsured motorist, umbrella policies, and third-party defendants others might miss.

5. Willingness to go to trial

Insurers track which lawyers actually try cases. Two of the results above are jury verdicts — and the credible threat of trial is often what moves a settlement offer from adequate to full value.

Nebraska Laws That Affect Your Claim

Statute of limitations: most Nebraska personal injury claims must be filed within four years (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207). Medical malpractice, wrongful death, and claims against government entities have shorter deadlines and special notice requirements.
Comparative negligence: recovery reduced by your share of fault; barred at 50% (§ 25-21,185.09).
Contingency fees: personal injury cases are typically handled with no fee unless you win, agreed in writing before the case begins.

A practical note: the biggest settlement-killer I see is delay. Evidence disappears, witnesses move, and insurance adjusters use early, unrepresented conversations against you. Talking to a lawyer early — before giving a recorded statement — costs nothing and protects the value of your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my personal injury case worth?

No honest lawyer can tell you without reviewing the facts: your medical records, the liability evidence, and the available coverage. Be wary of anyone who promises a number in the first phone call.

How long will my case take?

Straightforward cases with clear liability can resolve in months once treatment is complete. Contested liability, severe injuries, or litigation can take a year or more. Rushing a settlement before your medical picture is clear almost always costs you money.

Do most cases settle or go to trial?

The large majority of Nebraska injury cases settle. But as explained above, settlements are strongest when the insurer believes your lawyer will try the case.

Get an Honest Evaluation of Your Case

Frank Younes has recovered millions of dollars for injured Nebraskans — with 39 verified five-star reviews from real clients. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless he wins.

Call (402) 933-3345

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Related reading: How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer in Omaha