North Platte, Nebraska

Help for North Platte families after a fatal crash

Fatal personal injury hotline

About Demerath Law Office

I am Larry Demerath, a Nebraska native, a veteran and a Nebraska farmer. For over 50 years I have represented families in motor vehicle cases, and fatal car accident cases are where my experience counts most.

I have recovered more than $50 million for clients in Nebraska courtrooms, including $1,062,500 in a wrongful death case, $1,025,000 for a passenger killed in a crash and $670,000 after an I-80 crash that killed two children.

I earned my law degree at the University of Nebraska College of Law and I am admitted to the Nebraska State Bar, the federal district court, the 8th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. I handle your case myself, by phone, with no travel and no waiting room. You pay nothing unless I win.

How I help families who lost someone

When a crash takes someone you love, you should not have to fight an insurance company alone. I guide your family through the legal process, protect your rights and pursue the compensation Nebraska law allows.

Investigate the crash, gather evidence and identify key witnesses
Uncover every insurance policy that may apply
Deal with the insurance companies so your family does not have to
File a Nebraska wrongful death claim on your family's behalf
Explain the deadlines that apply to your claim
Seek compensation for funeral and medical expenses, lost income and lost support
Take your case to trial if the insurance company will not pay a fair amount
Answer your questions by phone in plain language
Handle everything on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing unless I win

Tell Larry what happened

Send a message and Larry will contact you. There is no cost to ask.

Expert help in North Platte, Nebraska for fatal crash injuries

A fatal crash on a North Platte road changes a family in one moment. There are calls to make, a funeral to plan, and bills that keep coming. Insurance adjusters may phone before you have had time to grieve. You do not have to deal with them alone. I am Larry Demerath, a Nebraska attorney with over 50 years of experience. I help families in North Platte and across Lincoln County after a loved one dies in a crash. I explain each step in plain words. You pay nothing unless I win your case. Call me for a free talk.

North Platte, Nebraska

North Platte is a city in west-central Nebraska and the county seat of Lincoln County. The Census Bureau counts 22,523 people here in 2023. The city sits where the North Platte River and the South Platte River meet to form the Platte River. That meeting of waters shaped where roads and rail lines were built, and it still shapes how people move through town.

The town began in 1866, when the Union Pacific Railroad reached the site. Today Union Pacific's Bailey Yard is here, and it is described as the largest rail yard in the world. Union Pacific is the biggest employer in the city. Passenger service ended in 1971, so only freight trains run through now. Great Plains Health, a Walmart distribution center and a beef plant that opened in 2025 also employ many local people. Those workers drive to and from their shifts on city streets and county roads.

Three highways meet here. Interstate 80 runs along the southern edge of town. U.S. Route 83 runs north and south into downtown, and many shops and restaurants have grown up where it meets the interstate. U.S. Route 30 crosses Route 83 downtown and follows the Platte rivers east and west. Trucks, farm equipment and travelers share these roads.

The city has a long history with travelers. During World War II, the North Platte Canteen, run by volunteers, served food to nearly seven million servicemen passing through. Buffalo Bill Cody once ran his Scout's Rest Ranch just north of town, and the Golden Spike Tower lets visitors look down on the rail yard. In June the city fills with visitors for NEBRASKAland Days. Every one of these roads carries a neighbor, a coworker or a family member. When one of them is lost, the whole town feels it.

AI illustration: Colorful view of the Golden Spike Tower overlooking Bailey Yard rail yard in North Platte

Events in North Platte

North Platte hosts events that bring thousands of visitors to town. More out-of-town drivers on Interstate 80 and the city streets means more risk for everyone.

AI illustration: Cowboy riding a bucking horse in a rodeo arena at sunset in Nebraska

NEBRASKAland Days

NEBRASKAland Days is a multi-day celebration at the Wild West Arena and around town. It includes a PRCA rodeo, country music concerts and a parade. Rodeo fans and country music lovers from across the region come to watch professional cowboys compete.

AI illustration: Children leading a calf through a bright county fair barn with colorful stalls

Lincoln County Fair

The Lincoln County Fair is a summer tradition at the county fairgrounds. Local young people show their 4-H animals, and the fair adds entertainment and vendors. Ranch and farm families from around the county come to see the animals and meet neighbors.

AI illustration: Long freight train passing a colorful rail yard under a bright blue sky

North Platte Rail Days

North Platte Rail Days is a three-day event built around the railroad that gave the city its start. Train fans and families gather to celebrate rail history in the town that is home to Bailey Yard. Many visitors arrive by car from other states.

AI illustration: Rows of shiny classic cars parked on a sunny North Platte street at a car show

Canteen CruiseFest

Canteen CruiseFest is a car show with music, food, activities for kids and contests such as the loudest car. Owners bring classic and custom cars to North Platte, and car lovers come to look, listen and vote. Visitors come from outside the city.

Event information: Visit North Platte, Visit North Platte, Visit North Platte, Visit North Platte. Dates change each year, so check the organizer before you go. The pictures on this page are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of the events.

How Demerath Law Office can help you in North Platte, Nebraska

I am sorry you lost someone in a crash in North Platte. I know that no claim can bring them back. What I can do is take the legal work off your shoulders so that you can focus on your family.

I work by phone, so you never need to drive to Omaha or sit in a waiting room. Call me from your kitchen table in North Platte. I will listen to what happened, explain your rights in plain words, and tell you honestly whether I can help. That first talk is free. I have practiced in Nebraska for over 50 years, and I have recovered more than $50 million for Nebraska clients.

After a crash on Interstate 80, U.S. Route 83 or U.S. Route 30, I start by gathering the facts. That can mean the crash report, photos, medical records and the insurance policies involved. I deal with the insurance companies so that you do not have to. I also talk with you about the bills, the lost income and the loss your family is facing. I also look at whether more than one person or company may share the blame, because that can change what your family can recover. I will keep you informed at every step.

Nebraska sets a deadline. The usual filing window for a wrongful death claim in Nebraska is two years from the date of death. Please do not wait until the last month. Evidence fades and witnesses move away, so an early call helps.

The fee I charge is a contingency fee. You pay me nothing unless I win your case. There is no bill for the free consultation either. I handle each case myself, and I hold admission to the Nebraska State Bar, the federal district court, the 8th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.

If your family is in North Platte, Lincoln County or anywhere nearby, call me at 402-677-5656. I will pick up the phone and give your family the time it needs.

AI illustration: Historic Buffalo Bill ranch house with green lawn and blue sky near North Platte

Fatal car accidents I handle in North Platte

Fatal crashes happen in many ways on North Platte roads. Here are eight kinds I see, and what a family should know about each.

Truck crash

North Platte sits on Interstate 80 and is home to a Walmart distribution center and a rail yard, so large trucks are part of daily life. A crash with a truck can involve the driver, the trucking company and several insurers. Early records matter.

Motorcycle crash

Riders along U.S. Route 30 and the Platte River valley enjoy open views, but cars often fail to see a motorcycle. Drivers who turn left in front of a rider cause many deadly wrecks. Families may still have a claim, even when the other driver blames the rider.

Drunk driver crash

When a city hosts rodeos, concerts and car shows, more people are out late on the roads. A driver who chose to drink and drive may be held responsible in a civil claim, apart from any criminal case. You can pursue both paths.

Head-on collision

Head-on crashes often happen when a driver crosses the center line, drifts asleep or passes where they should not. On the highways around Lincoln County, speeds are high. The force is severe, so investigators need to look closely at the vehicles.

Intersection crash

U.S. Route 83 and U.S. Route 30 cross downtown, and the busy corners nearby carry both locals and travelers. Each driver in a crash often claims a green light. Witnesses and traffic camera footage can decide who is at fault.

Rear-end collision

Where U.S. Route 83 meets Interstate 80, traffic slows quickly near the shops, gas stations and restaurants. A driver looking at a phone can hit a stopped car at full speed. A rear-end crash can be deadly, especially for a small car.

Pedestrian or bicycle strike

Walkers and cyclists share North Platte streets with trucks and cars, and the city hosts bike rides and outdoor events. A person on foot has little protection. If your loved one was hit, the driver's insurance and the facts of the crash will matter.

Single-vehicle or rollover crash

Not every deadly crash involves two cars. On long stretches of road around North Platte, a tired driver can drift off the pavement and roll. Ice and snow in winter make it worse. A defective tire or part may also be to blame.