What to do after a car accident in Nebraska
Every rule below is quoted from Nebraska law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Nebraska is an at fault state, also called a tort state. If you cause a crash, your liability insurance pays for the injuries and property damage you caused to others. Nebraska routes crash reporting through the Department of Transportation rather than a separate call-the-police statute. Call 911 for any crash with injury, death, or a blocked road. A written report is required whenever there is an injury, a death, or $2,000 or more in damage to one person's property. You have 4 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in Nebraska.
Deadlines in Nebraska
- 4 years
- to sue for injuriesNeb. Rev. Stat. 25-207
- 4 years
- to sue for car or property damageNeb. Rev. Stat. 25-207
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathNeb. Rev. Stat. 30-810
- 2 years (state), 1 year (local)
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedNeb. Rev. Stat. 81-8,227; Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-919(1)
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
After a crash with injury or death, Nebraska law says you must stop, give your name, address and license number, show your license, and give any injured person reasonable help, including getting them to a doctor.
“render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the carrying of such person to a physician or surgeon”
When you must call the police
Nebraska routes crash reporting through the Department of Transportation rather than a separate call-the-police statute. Call 911 for any crash with injury, death, or a blocked road. A written report is required whenever there is an injury, a death, or $2,000 or more in damage to one person's property.
“injury, death, or damages equal to or exceeding $2,000 to the property of any one person”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
If law enforcement did not investigate your crash and someone was injured or killed, or one person's property damage is $2,000 or more, you must file a Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report with the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days, online or by mail.
“all drivers involved in a crash in which someone is injured or killed, or someone has damage equal to or exceeding $2,000 are required to file”
Getting a copy of the crash report
You can get an officer's Nebraska crash report online, by phone, in person or by mail through the Department of Transportation for $13 plus tax.
“The cost is $13 + tax.”
Who pays for the damage
Nebraska is an at fault state, also called a tort state. If you cause a crash, your liability insurance pays for the injuries and property damage you caused to others.
“without having a current and effective automobile liability policy, evidence of insurance, or proof of financial responsibility”
Insurance rules in Nebraska
What insurance every driver must carry
Nebraska's minimum liability insurance limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injury or death, plus $25,000 for property damage.
“not less than twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person...fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Nebraska does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection, known as PIP. State law only requires liability insurance for injuries and property damage you cause to others.
“not less than twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person...fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons”
If the other driver has no insurance
Nebraska requires every auto liability policy to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
“No policy insuring against liability imposed by law for bodily injury...shall be delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed...unless coverage is provided for the protection of persons insured”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
You can file a complaint against an insurance company with the Nebraska Department of Insurance online, by mail, or by phone.
“Contact your insurance company and request an explanation”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have 4 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in Nebraska.
“The following actions can only be brought within four years:...an action for an injury to the rights of the plaintiff, not arising on contract”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have 4 years to sue over vehicle or property damage from a crash in Nebraska.
“The following actions can only be brought within four years:...an action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for the specific recovery of personal property”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
You have 2 years to sue over a death caused by a crash in Nebraska, counted from the date of death.
“Every such action, as described in section 30-809, shall be commenced within two years after the death of such person.”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a state government vehicle or road was involved, you must file a written tort claim with the Nebraska Risk Manager within 2 years. If a city, county or other local government was involved, you must file a written notice of claim with its governing body within 1 year.
“every tort claim permitted under the State Tort Claims Act shall be forever barred unless within two years after such claim accrued the claim is made in writing”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,167
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-509
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-21,185.09
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-207
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 30-810
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-8,227; Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-919(1)
- https://dot.nebraska.gov/safety/crash-reporting/
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6408(1)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-697
- https://doi.nebraska.gov/consumer/file-complaint
- Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. Sec. 3-501.5(c)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.