Anchorage Auto Accident Lawyer

How Can I Be Compensated for an Auto Accident?

It is possible to recover both compensatory and punitive damages following a vehicle accident. Punitive damages are awarded to punish those responsible for causing your injuries while compensatory damages replace the money you've lost due to the accident.

Damages are recoverable for:

• Medical Bills: You can receive compensation for the treatment you've already received, and for future medical expenses you anticipate. These may include hospitalization, diagnostic tests, surgery, medications, and physical therapy.
• Property Damage: The negligent driver is responsible for any vehicle repair or replacement expenses, replacement costs for any other property that is damaged, towing expenses, and car rental charges.
• Lost Wages: You can recover compensation for lost wages if you have missed work because of your accident injuries, or if you anticipate losing income in the future. Additionally, you are entitled to reimbursement for any vacation or sick time you used while you were recovering.
• Physical & Emotional Pain: You may not be able to participate in the activities you enjoy most due to the injuries you've sustained in a vehicle accident. Physical and emotional pain you have already experienced and might experience in the future may be compensated.

Have questions? Contact our experienced team today to discuss your Anchorage car accident case. 

Liability Laws After a Car Accident in Alaska 

After an Anchorage Car Accident occurs, Alaska adheres to an “at-fault” rule to determine who is liable for any following damages. This means thatthe motorist responsible for causing the accident is the one responsible for paying damages, though is typically done through an insurance carrier. 

This “at-fault” law is generally a straightforward law that allows more opportunities for injury victims to seek compensation than a “no-fault” system which some states follow. 

What Happens if More Than One Party is At Fault in a Car Accident in Alaska?

In scenarios where more than one party is at fault for causing an Anchorage car accident, Alaska follows what is called a "pure comparative fault" rule. 

What Is Alaska's Pure Comparative Fault Rule?

This law essentially allows for an injury victim to recover compensation for their suffering even if they were partially at fault for causing the accident. If, for example, you were speeding at the time of the accident, or if you failed to use your turn signal, you could be found partially responsible for the accident if those actions were deemed to have contributed to the severity of or cause of the accident, even if they were not the main cause. 

In most situations, the court will determine the percentage of fault you are responsible for, that percentage will then be reduced by a percentage that is equal to the compensation awarded to you. For example, if you are found 10% at fault for causing the accident that led to your injuries your total compensation awarded to you will also be reduced by 10%. 

Aggressively Negotiating Your Insurance Claim

Whether you file a claim with an at-fault driver’s insurance company or your own, getting the compensation you deserve will be a struggle. Insurance companies, their adjusters and their attorneys are determined to pay the minimum amount of accident compensation whenever possible, especially for serious and catastrophic claims. 

Often, the insurance company’s reticence rises to the level of actionable bad faith. But even when an insurer seems to be cooperative, you’ll need an aggressive, experienced Alaska auto accident lawyer to achieve the best outcome possible for your case.

Expert Alaska Car Accident Attorney to Support Your Damage Claim

To establish liability for the accident and substantiate the severity of your injuries, our Alaska car accident attorneys bring in top experts in various fields. Our team consists of trauma doctors, chiropractors, forensics engineers, mechanics, and collision reconstruction analysts, who help build your case and obtain the best possible settlement. 

Having articulate experts deliver compelling testimony about the cause of your accident and the extent of your injuries enhances your prospects for a full, fair recovery. Consult a car accident attorney now at Phillip Paul Weidner and Associates A Professional Corporation to get your case moving forward. 

To schedule a free consultation at the Anchorage office of Phillip Paul Weidner and Associates call (907) 312-2292or contact us online.