Alaska Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Former insurance defense experience working for you

Attorney James Crowson spent years defending insurance companies before switching sides to represent injury victims. That background helps us anticipate insurer strategies and build stronger cases for motorcyclists facing unfair blame.

24/7 access to your case information

We’re the only personal injury firm in Alaska offering clients real-time online file access through our “My Crowson Case” portal. Review documents, track case progress, and stay informed from any device.

No upfront costs or hidden fees

We work on a contingency basis and advance all case costs, including expert fees and investigation expenses. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Available when accidents happen

Motorcycle crashes don’t follow business hours. Call us anytime at (907) 777-7777, text us for convenience, or contact us online. If you’re unable to travel to our offices, we come to you.

What Makes Motorcycle Crashes Different in Alaska?

Alaska’s riding conditions create hazards that don’t exist in most other states. Variable weather shifts from clear to rain within miles. Gravel on roads reduces traction. Wildlife crossings happen without warning. Limited trauma care resources outside Anchorage mean serious injuries require long transport times that affect survival and recovery.

Road design compounds these risks. A large percentage of Alaska motorcycle fatalities occur off interstates, frequently on arterial, collector, and local roads where riders face unpredictable traffic patterns and road conditions. 

Anchorage consistently accounts for a notable share of the state’s motorcycle deaths and major injuries, given its status as Alaska’s population and traffic center.

The two-wheeled configuration of motorcycles magnifies crash severity. Riders lack the protective structure surrounding car occupants, making even moderate-speed collisions potentially catastrophic. More than 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death to the rider.

How Alaska Law Protects Injured Motorcyclists

Alaska applies the same negligence standards to motorcycle accidents as to any motor vehicle crash. Drivers who fail to check blind spots, turn left across traffic, or follow too closely may be held liable for injuries they cause. 

Unfortunately, however, insurance companies are aware of bias against motorcyclists and may aggressively exploit that by suggesting riders were speeding, showing off, or taking unreasonable risks.

Alaska follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Alaska Statute 09.17.060, which reduces your compensation if you share fault but bars recovery if you’re more than 50% responsible. 

These determinations require careful legal analysis and strong evidence showing the other driver’s primary responsibility. The experienced Alaska motorcycle accident lawyers with Crowson Law Group fight to minimize your liability while maximizing your compensation. 

Helmet use occasionally becomes a factor in claims. Alaska doesn’t require adult riders to wear helmets under Alaska Statute 28.35.160, but insurers sometimes argue that unhelmeted riders worsen their injuries. Your attorney will counter by focusing on the driver’s negligent actions, not your lack of helmet use, as the accident’s cause.

What Compensation Addresses After a Motorcycle Crash?

Motorcycle injuries create expenses and losses that extend far beyond initial emergency care. Building a complete claim requires documenting every category of damage and projecting future needs when injuries cause permanent impairment. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may pursue the following damages:

• Medical expenses: Emergency transport, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, medication, medical equipment, and future treatment for injuries requiring ongoing care
• Lost income: Missed work during recovery, depleted leave benefits, reduced earning capacity when injuries prevent returning to your previous job or limit hours you’re able to work
• Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort from injuries, emotional trauma from the crash, anxiety about riding again, depression from lifestyle changes, and reduced quality of life
• Property damage: Motorcycle repairs or replacement value, damaged riding gear, destroyed personal items

Serious motorcycle accidents often involve traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, road rash, and burns. These injuries frequently require multiple surgeries, extended rehabilitation, and create permanent limitations that affect employment and daily activities for years.

Why Insurance Companies Target Motorcycle Claims

Insurers approach motorcycle accident claims differently than car crashes. Adjusters look for any reason to blame the rider, minimize injuries, or argue that motorcycling itself is inherently risky. They point to speed, lane positioning, or riding style, even when these factors didn’t cause the crash.

Bias against motorcyclists runs deep in the insurance claims process. Adjusters assume riders take unnecessary risks, disregard traffic laws, or contribute to their own injuries. They offer low initial settlements, hoping you’ll accept quick payment before understanding the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs.

An experienced motorcycle injury lawyer counters these tactics with accident reconstruction, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and medical evidence establishing the other driver’s fault and the severity of your injuries. We document everything insurers try to minimize.

Critical Steps That Strengthen Your Motorcycle Injury Claim

Protecting your legal rights starts immediately after a crash, even while you’re still receiving medical treatment. The decisions you make in the days and weeks following your accident can directly impact the value of your claim.

• Hire an attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters: Legal representation protects you from questions designed to undermine your claim or secure low settlements before you understand injury severity 
• Follow all medical treatment recommendations: Attend every appointment and complete prescribed therapies; gaps in care give insurers ammunition to argue injuries weren’t serious 
• Document your recovery and limitations: Keep a journal recording pain levels, activities you’re unable to perform, and how injuries affect work and family life 
• Preserve all physical evidence: Don’t repair or dispose of your damaged motorcycle, riding gear, or clothing until your attorney documents everything 
• Avoid discussing the accident publicly: Insurers monitor social media looking for content that contradicts injury claims

Alaska’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Alaska Statute 09.10.070 means you have a limited time to file. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and memories fade the longer you wait.

FAQs About Alaska Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

How much does hiring a motorcycle accident attorney cost?

Crowson Law Group works on contingency, meaning you pay no upfront fees and we only collect payment if we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict, so you never pay out of pocket for legal representation.

How long does a motorcycle accident case take in Alaska?

Case timelines vary based on injury severity, liability disputes, and whether settlement negotiations succeed or litigation becomes necessary. Simple cases resolve faster than complex claims involving serious injuries. Our Alaska motorcycle accident lawyers can give you a clearer idea of your case’s potential timeline after they’ve evaluated your case. 

What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?

Uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy might provide compensation when at-fault drivers lack insurance. Your attorney reviews all available coverage sources and pursues every option for recovery, including the other driver’s personal assets when appropriate.

Get Legal Help After a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle accidents in Alaska create serious injuries that deserve serious legal representation. At Crowson Law Group, we’ve represented injured Alaskans since 2011. We know how to document motorcycle crash injuries, counter bias against riders, and negotiate with insurance companies that prioritize profits over fair treatment.

Don’t let insurance companies exploit bias against motorcyclists or minimize injuries that affect your ability to work and enjoy life. Call Crowson Law Group at (907) 777-7777 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 because crashes don’t follow schedules. Let us fight for the compensation you need to move forward.