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What You Need to Know About Nebraska Law Changes in 2019

Robert Stahle • September 13, 2019
A baby is sitting in a car seat in the back seat

Every day, law abiding citizens follow the laws of their state. In Nebraska, as in every other state in the nation, these laws are put into place to better protect and serve the citizens. For the most part, these laws go along unchanged, which creates little confusion in what the laws mean or who the affect. However, every so often some laws are changed that have a more significant impact on the average citizen. In 2019, we’ve seen several of them.


When we welcomed in 2019 more than half a calendar year ago, Nebraska also welcomed some new laws onto the books. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know.


Nebraska’s Child Restraint Laws Take Center Stage

In an effort to better protect children who are involved in automobile accidents , Nebraska made changes to the Child Restraint Laws, which went into effect in the beginning of the year. The changes, while not huge, are significant and it’s important that parents of young and school aged children are aware of the changes and why the new laws were put into place.


The new law states that:


●Any child under the age of two needs to be in a rear facing child restraint seat while traveling in a vehicle. The child is required to stay rear facing until they reach the age of two, or reach the maximum rear facing height and weight limit on the seat as indicated by the manufacturer.

●The age that a child needs to remain in a federally approved car or booster seat increased from 6 to 8 years.

●Any child 8 years or younger is required to ride in the back seat of the vehicle. The only exception being if every back seat is already occupied by a child under the age of 8.


For some parents, these laws have been an adjustment but officials stand firm that they are intended to protect the youngest passengers. By keeping a child rear facing as long as possible, you reduce the chance of spine and neck injuries if they’re involved in a collision. Likewise, the backseat is the safest place for a child in the event of an automobile accident, so these laws are designed to optimize safety for children while traveling.


Additional Changes to Nebraska Laws in 2019

In addition to the new Child Restraint Laws, there were a few other laws that made it onto the books in Nebraska this year. One of these laws addresses transparency in how much hospitals charge for their services. The law states that hospitals in Nebraska are required to publicly list their standard charges for services on the internet. This law was in part designed to protect patients, especially those who are underinsured, from the price gouging that seems to be increasingly common in the medical industry.


If You Have Questions About Nebraska Laws, We Can Help

Laws can be confusing enough on their own without changes adding to their complexity. If you have questions about Nebraska’s laws, have been involved in an automobile accident, or have been charged with a crime, you can count on us to connect you with a defense attorney who can help. We specialize in criminal and personal injury law and are waiting to serve you. Contact the Fitch & Stahle Law Office to speak one on one with a criminal attorney today.

What Victims Should Know About Drunk Driving Injury Lawsuits in Iowa and Nebraska

By Robert Stahle • July 28, 2025
Including Dram Shop Liability

Drunk Driving Accidents & Nebraska Dram Shop Laws:

By Robert Stahle • July 16, 2025
How a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Seek Justice Each year, drunk driving crashes leave thousands injured or killed—causing devastating emotional, physical, and financial consequences. Despite strict DUI laws and public awareness campaigns, impaired drivers continue to pose a serious threat across Iowa, Nebraska, and the country. For victims, the aftermath of a drunk driving accident is more than just painful—it can be life-altering. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we fight to hold negligent drivers (and sometimes even the businesses that served them) accountable under the law. If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a drunk driver, we’ll explain your legal options, including how Nebraska’s Dram Shop law may play a role in your case. Why File a Drunk Driving Lawsuit? Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not just illegal—it’s a reckless act that endangers everyone on the road. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel impaired, they can (and should) be held civilly liable for the damage they cause. While a criminal DUI case focuses on punishing the offender, a civil personal injury lawsuit is about helping you rebuild. It allows you to pursue compensation for: Medical expenses (past and future) Lost wages and diminished earning capacity Pain and suffering Emotional trauma Property damage Rehabilitation costs Punitive damages (in cases of extreme recklessness) Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law: Holding Alcohol Providers Accountable Under Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law , victims of drunk driving accidents may also be able to file a lawsuit against the business or establishment that overserved the intoxicated driver. Here’s how it works: A licensed alcohol vendor (such as a bar, restaurant, or event venue) can be held liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor , and that person later caused injury or death. Nebraska law limits these claims to commercial sellers of alcohol—not social hosts. A dram shop claim can help recover damages if the drunk driver lacks adequate insurance or personal assets. This area of law is complex, and not all attorneys are familiar with how to navigate the strict requirements and timelines involved in dram shop litigation. That’s why working with a firm like Fitch & Stahle , which handles cases in both Nebraska and Iowa , is crucial. What Needs to Be Proven in a Drunk Driving Case? To recover damages in a drunk driving lawsuit, your legal team must prove the following: Duty of care – The driver had a legal responsibility to drive safely. Breach of duty – That responsibility was violated by driving impaired. Causation – The impairment directly led to the accident and your injuries. Damages – You experienced real harm—such as medical costs, lost income, or emotional distress. In dram shop cases, your lawyer will also need to demonstrate that the bar or establishment served a visibly intoxicated individual who went on to cause the crash. Why You Need a DUI Injury Lawyer in Nebraska or Iowa Drunk driving cases are rarely straightforward—especially when multiple parties may share liability. Insurance companies will often try to minimize payouts, shift blame, or dispute your injuries altogether. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we will: Preserve key evidence such as police reports, BAC results, surveillance video, and eyewitness accounts Analyze potential dram shop liability Work with medical and accident reconstruction experts to build your case Identify all available sources of compensation Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies—or take your case to trial if needed Our team has deep experience with Nebraska’s unique dram shop provisions and Iowa’s liability standards. We understand what it takes to hold all negligent parties accountable. What Damages Can You Recover? Depending on the specifics of your case, compensation may include: Economic damages : Medical bills, lost income, future treatment costs, property loss Non-economic damages : Pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship Punitive damages : Intended to punish especially reckless conduct—like drunk driving In cases where dram shop liability applies, these claims can be especially valuable when the at-fault driver is underinsured or has no assets. Time Is Critical – Act Now In Nebraska, the statute of limitations for personal injury and dram shop lawsuits is typically four years , but specific timelines may apply depending on the facts of your case. Evidence like surveillance footage and eyewitness memories can fade fast—so it’s essential to speak with an attorney right away. Get Help from a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Who Understands Nebraska Dram Shop Law If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver—especially one who may have been overserved at a Nebraska bar or restaurant—you have the right to seek full and fair compensation. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we’ve helped countless clients across Sioux City , Iowa , and Nebraska recover after devastating crashes. We’ll handle the legal details so you can focus on healing. Call us today for a free consultation — and let’s start fighting for the justice you deserve.