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Nebraska car accident laws
Is Nebraska a no-fault state? No. Nebraska is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.
Nebraska gives you four years to file a personal injury lawsuit (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(3)).
The legal minimum liability coverage in Nebraska is $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per crash and $25,000 for property (25/50/25).
Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but if your fault is equal to or greater than the total fault of everyone you are suing (50% or more) you recover nothing.
Quoted from Nebraska statutes and official pages, checked October 2, 2026 · not legal advice
The rules in one table
| Rule | Nebraska | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Four years from when the claim accrues; personal injury falls under 'an injury to the rights of the plaintiff, not arising on contract' | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(3) |
| Deadline for vehicle damage | Four years for taking, detaining or injuring personal property | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(2) |
| Deadline for a wrongful death claim | Two years after the death | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-810 |
| Claims against a government body | A claim against a city, county or other political subdivision is barred unless it is made in writing to the governing body within one year after the claim accrues; suit must begin within two years. | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-919(1) |
| Insurance system | at-fault | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-3,167(1) |
| If you were partly at fault | modified comparative (50% bar). Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but if your fault is equal to or greater than the total fault of everyone you are suing (50% or more) you recover nothing. | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,185.09 |
| Minimum liability coverage | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per crash / $25,000 property | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-310 |
| Dog bites | strict liability. A dog's owner is liable for all damages when the dog bites someone who is not a trespasser, with limited exceptions such as provocation. | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 54-601(1) |
Deadlines can be shorter or longer for minors, for injuries found later, and for claims against a government. A lawyer licensed in Nebraska can tell you the date that applies to you.
Next steps after a Nebraska crash
How to get a Nebraska crash report ($13.00 plus tax per certified copy).
Check your deadline and a rough claim range
A filing date and a rough value range for Nebraska. Both take under a minute.
Questions
How long do you have to sue after a car accident in Nebraska?
Four years for an injury claim (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(3)) and four years for vehicle damage. Shorter notice rules can apply to claims against a government.
Is Nebraska a no-fault state?
No. Nebraska is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault in Nebraska?
Nebraska follows modified comparative (50% bar). Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but if your fault is equal to or greater than the total fault of everyone you are suing (50% or more) you recover nothing.
What is the minimum car insurance in Nebraska?
The legal minimum liability coverage in Nebraska is $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per crash and $25,000 for property (25/50/25).
Sources
- Deadline to sue for an injury (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(3)): www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=25-207
The following actions can only be brought within four years: (1) An action for trespass upon real property; (2) an action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for the specific recovery of personal property; (3) an action for an injury to the rights of the plaintiff, not arising on contract, and not hereinafter enumerated;
- Deadline for vehicle damage (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(2)): www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=25-207
The following actions can only be brought within four years: (1) An action for trespass upon real property; (2) an action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for the specific recovery of personal property;
- Deadline for a wrongful death claim (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-810): www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=30-810
Every such action, as described in section 30-809 , shall be commenced within two years after the death of such person.
- Claims against a government body (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-919(1)): www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=13-919
(1) Every claim against a political subdivision permitted under the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act shall be forever barred unless within one year after such claim accrued the claim is made in writing to the governing body.
- Insurance system (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-3,167(1)): www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-3,167
(1) It shall be unlawful for any owner of a motor vehicle or trailer that is being operated or towed with an In Transit pursuant to section 60-376 , which is being operated or towed pursuant to section 60-365 or 60-369 , or which is required to be registered in this state and that is operated or towed on a public highway of this state to allow the operation or towing of the motor vehicle or trailer on a public highway of this state without having a current and effective automobile liability policy, evidence of insurance, or proof of financial responsibility.
- If you were partly at fault (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,185.09): www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=25-21,185.09
Any contributory negligence chargeable to the claimant shall diminish proportionately the amount awarded as damages for an injury attributable to the claimant's contributory negligence but shall not bar recovery, except that if the contributory negligence of the claimant is equal to or greater than the total negligence of all persons against whom recovery is sought, the claimant shall be totally barred from recovery.
- Minimum liability coverage (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-310): www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-310
(1) in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident, (2) subject to the limit for one person, in the amount of fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident, and (3) in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to or destruction of property of other persons in any one accident.
- Dog bites (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 54-601(1)): www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=54-601
(1) Dogs are hereby declared to be personal property for all intents and purposes, and, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the owner or owners of any dog or dogs shall be liable for any and all damages that may accrue (a) to any person, other than a trespasser, by reason of having been bitten by any such dog or dogs
Read October 2, 2026. Laws and fees change; the linked page is the authority.