Once the initial shock of a multi-vehicle car accident wears off, you are usually left to deal with a confusing and chaotic scene. In the case of three or more vehicles, it is a complicated puzzle to determine who is legally liable for the damages and injuries.
You can be left with piling hospital bills and have to contend with various insurance claims adjusters as you attempt to heal. The key to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you are entitled to is understanding how the Alaska law deals with these pile-ups.
The Alaska pure comparative fault rule is essential to your car accident in Anchorage. This legal principle is vital in multi-car accidents where multiple drivers may be at fault. This implies that you can recover financial damages despite being found partially at fault in the collision.
According to Alaska Statute 09.17.080, a judge or jury will examine the drivers’ conduct and allocate a percentage of blame to each. For example, if you are found to be 30 percent at fault, your total compensation will be cut by 30 percent. This system provides a reasonable distribution of damages, acknowledging that fault is not always an either/or situation.
Multi-vehicle crashes frequently occur in typical patterns, including chain reactions and unsafe lane change accidents. In a typical chain-reaction accident, the driver who initiated the first impact is usually the one who is held most responsible.
Liability can be apportioned, though, in case other drivers were driving too closely or were distracted and could not stop in time. Likewise, a driver who changes lanes improperly without signaling or checking the blind spot is usually found to be negligent. However, if another driver was speeding or driving aggressively, they may also be seen to share some blame, which complicates the liability situation.
Liability is not always restricted to the drivers. In other instances, other parties can be liable. For example, the car manufacturer may be liable if a car defect, such as faulty brakes, contributed to the pile-up. Moreover, if hazardous road conditions, including poor maintenance or insufficient signage, were a contributing factor, a government agency may be a co-fault.
It is important to note that Alaska has a statute of limitations that usually provides you with two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after the date of the accident. Failure to meet this time limit may lead to losing your right to seek compensation.
It is easy to get lost in a multi-vehicle accident claim. You will be facing several insurance companies, whose main aim is typically to pass the blame and pay as little as possible.
A skilled Anchorage personal injury attorney is familiar with the intricacies of Alaska comparative fault laws and will be able to develop a solid case. Your lawyer will negotiate the complexities, collect the required evidence, and determine all the parties that may be held responsible to ensure you are fairly compensated for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
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