La Vista Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a pedestrian accident in La Vista, NE?

At Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O., we represent injured pedestrians with the preparation and willingness to take every case to trial if that is what fair compensation requires.

If you were struck by a vehicle while walking in La Vista, the injuries are often severe and the path to compensation is rarely straightforward. Broken bones, head trauma, and long-term disability are common, and the medical costs that follow can reshape your entire financial situation. Our La Vista, NE pedestrian accident lawyer at Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. has handled serious injury cases across Sarpy County for over two decades. We charge no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Reach out today for a free case evaluation.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer La Vista, NE

A pedestrian accident occurs when a motor vehicle strikes a person who is walking, jogging, or otherwise on foot. Because pedestrians have no protective barrier between themselves and the vehicle, even a collision at moderate speed can produce catastrophic harm. Nationally, the NHTSA reported that 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023, and more than 68,000 were injured. On average, a pedestrian died in a traffic crash every 72 minutes that year.

La Vista’s mix of commercial corridors, residential neighborhoods, and high-speed connecting roads puts pedestrians at particular risk. Sidewalk coverage varies, and several of the city’s busiest intersections require pedestrians to cross multiple lanes of traffic while vehicles turn through the crosswalk.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in La Vista

Pedestrian collisions happen in a variety of circumstances, and the facts of each incident determine which parties are liable and what compensation is available. Below are the types of pedestrian accident cases Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. handles for clients in La Vista and Sarpy County.

• Crosswalk accidents. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. When a driver fails to stop or turns through the crosswalk without checking for foot traffic, the pedestrian absorbs the full force of the impact.
• Intersection accidents. La Vista’s high-traffic intersections along Harrison Street and 84th Street bring vehicles and pedestrians into close proximity. Drivers turning left or right on green frequently fail to check for pedestrians in the crosswalk, especially during peak hours.
• Parking lot accidents. Retail and commercial parking lots along Giles Road and the 84th Street corridor see constant vehicle movement. Drivers backing out of spaces and cutting through lanes at speed account for a significant share of pedestrian injuries in these areas.
• Hit-and-run accidents. When a driver strikes a pedestrian and leaves the scene, uninsured motorist coverage and law enforcement investigation become the primary tools for recovery. We pursue every available avenue to identify the driver and hold them accountable.
• Distracted driver accidents. A driver looking at a phone instead of the road loses the ability to see and react to a pedestrian stepping into the street. The pedestrian crash trend tracks closely with the increase in distracted driving over the past decade.
• Impaired driver accidents. Alcohol and drug impairment slow reaction times and impair judgment. The NHTSA has found that alcohol was a factor in nearly half of all fatal pedestrian crashes nationally. An impaired driver who strikes a pedestrian can face both criminal charges and a civil damages claim.
• Reversing accidents. Larger vehicles, particularly SUVs and trucks, have substantial blind spots behind them. A pedestrian who is low to the ground or standing directly behind a reversing vehicle may not be visible to the driver. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable.
• School zone accidents. Pedestrian fatality data shows that children remain disproportionately at risk in areas near schools. Drivers who exceed posted school zone speed limits or ignore crossing guards put young pedestrians in danger.
• Spinal cord injuries. A pedestrian thrown to the pavement or pinned beneath a vehicle can suffer damage to the spinal cord that alters sensation, movement, or both. These injuries sometimes result in partial or complete paralysis, and the lifetime cost of care runs into the millions.

Why Choose Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. as My Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in La Vista, NE?

Local Knowledge and Plaintiff-Side Dedication

Jason Ausman has represented injured plaintiffs in Sarpy County and across Nebraska for 24 years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only distinction held by fewer than one percent of attorneys in the country. He also serves as president of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. That courtroom experience matters in pedestrian cases, where insurers frequently argue that the pedestrian shared responsibility for the collision.

Michelle Dreesen brings 25 years of practice in Nebraska and Iowa to the firm’s personal injury work. She earned her J.D. from the Nebraska College of Law and is a member of the American Association for Justice and the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys.

Recoveries in Serious Injury Matters

Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. has obtained millions of dollars for clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Results in matters involving severe injuries include:

• $2 million wrongful death recovery following a fatal trip and fall
• $1.8 million for a car accident victim who sustained a traumatic brain injury
• $1.5 million wrongful death recovery for the family of a 20-year-old
• $1.2 million jury verdict in a crash requiring multiple surgeries

Pedestrian cases often produce severe injuries. These recoveries illustrate the caliber of result the firm pursues across its catastrophic injury practice.

Understanding Pedestrian Accident Cases

What Is the Pedestrian Accident Case Timeline?

The timeline of a pedestrian accident claim follows a general sequence, though how long each stage takes depends on the severity of your injuries and the insurer’s willingness to deal fairly.

1. Emergency medical treatment. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle needs immediate medical attention. Treatment records from the day of the accident form the backbone of the claim.
2. Evidence collection. Your attorney secures traffic camera footage, witness statements, the police report, and any available surveillance video from nearby businesses. Physical evidence from the scene begins to disappear quickly.
3. Medical documentation. As treatment continues, your medical providers generate the records that quantify your injuries. Traumatic brain injuries and orthopedic injuries from pedestrian crashes may require months of follow-up care.
4. Demand and negotiation. Once your medical condition has stabilized enough to evaluate long-term costs, your attorney sends a demand to the at-fault driver’s insurer. Negotiation follows.
5. Filing suit. Under §25-207, Nebraska gives injured plaintiffs four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Filing early preserves your options.
6. Trial. If the insurer will not agree to a fair settlement, the case moves to trial. Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. prepares every case as though it will be tried.

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Cases

Pedestrian accident victims in Nebraska may recover both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include hospital bills, surgical costs, physical rehabilitation, prescription medications, home modifications for disability, assistive devices, lost wages, and future lost earning capacity. Noneconomic damages compensate for the pain, emotional harm, and diminished quality of life the injury causes.

Liability turns on whether the driver breached a duty of care owed to the pedestrian. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise reasonable caution at all times. When a driver was speeding, distracted, impaired, or running a red light, establishing breach is more straightforward. In cases involving catastrophic spinal injuries, the damages component alone can involve extensive life-care planning.

The distinction between economic and noneconomic damages also matters when there are multiple defendants. Nebraska law treats economic damages as joint and several among defendants found liable, while noneconomic damages are allocated individually.

What Are Important Aspects of a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Pedestrian claims carry challenges that differ from standard vehicle-on-vehicle collisions. Understanding these early can shape the outcome.

The insurer’s first move in many pedestrian cases is to argue that the pedestrian was partially or fully at fault, whether for jaywalking, wearing dark clothing at night, or failing to use a crosswalk. Nebraska’s comparative negligence statute §25-21,185.09 allows recovery as long as the pedestrian’s fault remains below 50 percent, but any assigned fault reduces the total award. Building a record that the driver, not the pedestrian, bore primary responsibility for the crash is a priority from the very first day.

• Visibility and lighting conditions at the time of the accident can become contested issues. Photographs taken shortly after the crash and weather records from that day are valuable.
• Crosswalk markings, signal timing, and sidewalk availability all factor into whether the pedestrian acted reasonably.
• Medical evidence must document every injury, including delayed-onset symptoms. Some car accident injuries and pedestrian crash injuries do not present fully for days or weeks.
• Third-party liability may exist. If a municipal entity failed to install adequate signage, lighting, or crosswalk markings, a claim against the City of La Vista or Sarpy County may be available in addition to the claim against the driver.

What Should You Bring to Your Pedestrian Accident Consultation?

Bring as much documentation as possible to give your attorney a clear picture of the case:

• The police report or your accident report number
• Medical records and bills from all treating providers
• Photographs of your injuries, the accident scene, and the vehicle that struck you
• Insurance information for the driver who hit you
• A written account of what you remember, including the direction you were walking and the traffic signals at the time

Your attorney will review the evidence, explain how Nebraska pedestrian accident law applies, and lay out a strategy for pursuing your claim. The consultation is free and confidential.

Most Dangerous Locations for Pedestrian Accidents in La Vista

Pedestrian safety in La Vista is shaped by roadway design, traffic volume, and the availability of sidewalks and marked crossings.

• Harrison Street at 72nd Street. This intersection carries heavy vehicle traffic and requires pedestrians to navigate multiple turning lanes. The 2022 seven-vehicle fatal crash at this location underscores the risks.
• 84th Street between Harrison and Giles. This north-south corridor has limited pedestrian infrastructure in some stretches. The volume of vehicles moving at speed creates a challenging environment for anyone on foot.
• Giles Road. Connecting residential areas to commercial centers, Giles Road sees a mix of foot traffic and vehicle congestion, particularly near shopping areas.
• Interstate 80 access roads. Entry and exit ramps near La Vista bring vehicles onto surface streets at highway speed. Pedestrians near these interchange areas face elevated risk.

Reach Out to Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. to Schedule a Consultation

Pedestrian accidents produce injuries that can affect your mobility, your independence, and your ability to earn a living for years. Acting early preserves the evidence your case depends on and gives your attorney the time to build the strongest possible claim. Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. Contact us to schedule a free case review.