While the numbers hover around these levels, Alaska experiences somewhere between 75 and 100 fatalities in 70-90 fatal crashes each year, a number that may be less than in prior years, but it remains too high. And with 250-300 serious crashes and approximately 3,000 minor collisions each year, there are lots of injuries to Alaska’s residents. If you are injured, the best way to protect your rights and your wallet is to contact Anchorage Attorneys that are experienced in these areas. The proper prosecution of your claim starts almost immediately after the collision. This is because, according to the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles, someone involved in an automobile accident, must (a) assess the damage to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved, (b) exchange information with the other driver(s) 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 Alaska DMV. When you hire competent Anchorage Attorneys, they will help you through this process. And while these basic steps will serve to protect a portion of your rights, there is much more needed to offer you complete protection. As such, it is also vital that you contact a vehicle accident law firm with lawyers who are familiar with Alaska’s relevant laws, including but not limited to time limitations, how to best complete the relevant forms to preserve your rights and all other factors relevant to the post-accident procedures in Alaska. For example, you only have two (2) years from the date of accident to file your lawsuit with the Court. Also, a Court will limit any award you receive based on any amount it deems you are responsible for. Claims for property damage have different procedures than those for personal injury. Prosecuting a wrongful death claim is also different. It is vitally important to retain attorneys even before you communicate with any representative of an insurance company. Even if you do not ultimately retain such people, the mere advice from a lawyer familiar with automobile accident and local laws can often help you avoid torpedoing your claim, no matter how strong it may be otherwise be. In sum, consulting experienced and skilled attorneys promptly and filling out and filing the proper paperwork not only ensures that you will comply with the applicable laws and regulations, but this will also create a paper trail with all relevant information, something that can only serve to improve your chances at prevailing on your claim.
