Alaska Car Accident Lawyers
In 2013, Alaska traffic accident deaths had dropped to 51, their lowest in the last 10 years, according to the Alaska Highway Safety Office. But in 2014 that number went up sharply to 73, making it the deadliest year on Alaska roadways since 2007. In addition to those killed, hundreds of people are seriously injured each year in Alaska traffic accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident, an experienced Alaska car accident lawyer can protect your rights and help you get the full and fair compensation that you and your family need.
Distracted Driving
Alaska takes texting while driving (TWD) very seriously. Alaska has some of the toughest penalties for TWD in the country. Those who are caught texting behind the wheel can face a $10,000 and a year in prison for a first offense with no accident or injuries involved.
The hope is that drivers will recognize the danger of TWD, but distracted driving is still a real danger on Alaska roads and texting is just one of many distractions. Distractions that commonly lead to accidents include:
- Hand-held device use including texting, taking selfies, and using GPS
- Talking on the phone, even hands-free
- Personal grooming, such as shaving or putting on makeup
- Tending to children
- Talking to passengers
- Eating and drinking
- Adjusting vehicle settings, such as climate control
- Reaching for objects in the floor or backseat
Alaska Time Limits
After an accident you only have a certain amount of time to take legal action. In Alaska the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.
For minor children the clock does not start running until their 18th birthday, but there is also a 10 year statute of repose. So, if you were injured in an accident when you were 16 years old you have until your 20th birthday to file a lawsuit, but if you were injured when you were six years old, you only have 10 years from the date of the accident.
The statute of limitations is not the only time limit you may be facing. If you must sue a government entity you may have a much shorter amount of time to take legal action.
A highly qualified Alaska car accident lawyer can protect your rights by making sure that you do not miss any important deadlines.
If You Were Partly at Fault for Your Accident
You can recover compensation for your injuries even if you were partly to blame for your accident. Alaska uses the pure comparative negligence rule. Injury victims can recover compensation if they are partially responsible for their injuries, but it is reduced by your portion of fault. So, if you are found to be 20% to blame for you accident and your damages were $100,000, you could receive $80,000. Technically, under pure comparative negligence, you can receive compensation even if you were 99% at fault.
If you have been injured in an Alaska traffic accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, please browse our directory to speak to one of the experienced Alaska car accident lawyers profiled on this website.