Why You Need The Right Attorney for Your Alaska Accident

In 2017, 79 people passed away in Alaska as a result of 75 fatal crashes. While still devastating, these statistics actually represent a more positive trend, as they represented a 6% decrease in fatalities and 4% decrease in fatal crashes from the prior year. On average, Alaska drivers are involved in 250-300 serious crashes and around 3,000 minor collisions annually. If you are injured in such an accident, you can protect your rights and be compensated for injuries with the help of an Auto Injury Accident Attorney.

Consulting an Auto Injury Accident Attorney immediately is important so you don’t miss some important early steps related to recovering monies for your injuries. Indeed, you must (a) assess the damage to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved, (b) exchange information with the other driver or drivers including, the other driver’s name, phone number, address, license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance company name, (c) submit a Certificate of Insurance within 15 days, (d) contact the local police department (or Alaska State Troopers, if appropriate) and (e) mail in an Alaska Motor Vehicle Crash Form to the State of Alaska. Competent Alaska attorneys will help you with these requirements.

Additionally, you must consult a vehicle accident law firm with lawyers who are well-versed with Alaska’s relevant laws for other reasons. There are certain time limitations you cannot miss. For example, if you wait even one day past two years from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit, your case is likely to be dismissed and you will not likely ever be able to recover for your injuries.

Next, you must position your case not only to show severe your injuries were, but also that the incident was not at all your fault. This is because Alaska follows a “comparative injury” analysis where any award you receive may be reduced by the percentage of fault a judge or jury believes you contributed to its occurrence.

For these and many other reasons, even if you believe you may only be slightly injured, reaching out to a car accident attorney is important so you do not miss any deadlines and set up your case so that you may receive the maximum amount possible. Your failure to do so may lead to a negative result, no matter how strong your claim might be.

So from conducting a trial to more mundane tasks such as filling out insurance claim forms, it is clearly important to retain an attorney to help you prosecute your claim in an effective and efficient manner.