Car Accident Attorney in Alaska
Representing Injured Alaskans Statewide Since 1975
When a car accident leaves you facing medical bills, missed work, and pressure from insurance adjusters, the decisions you make in the first days matter. Kelley & Canterbury has represented injured Alaskans from Anchorage and across the state since 1975. We’re a family-owned firm that handles personal injury cases on behalf of people who have been hurt, and both attorneys, Michaela Kelley Canterbury and Christopher Canterbury, each bring more than 30 years of individual experience to every case we accept.
We offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash anywhere in Alaska, call us today at (888) 639-4817 to speak with an attorney.
Why Alaskans Trust Kelley & Canterbury After a Crash
Most personal injury firms hand cases to junior associates after the intake call. At Kelley & Canterbury, Michaela and Chris work every client matter together, from the first consultation through settlement or verdict. That means two experienced perspectives on your case, not a paralegal relaying messages.
Our track record reaches the Alaska Supreme Court. We’ve argued cases that shaped Alaska case law, and national law firms have trusted us with co-counsel and referral representation on significant matters statewide. That courtroom credibility matters to insurance companies evaluating how far we’re willing to take a claim.
Clients consistently describe our office as approachable and the process as less overwhelming than they expected. A car accident is already disruptive. Working with your attorneys shouldn’t add to that stress.
Car Accident Cases We Handle Across Alaska
Alaska’s road conditions, long highway corridors, and seasonal factors create a range of crash types, and the insurance and liability picture shifts depending on how the accident happened. We handle the full scope of vehicle accident claims, including:
- Fatal car accident claims on behalf of surviving family members pursuing wrongful death recovery
- Drunk driver crashes, including cases where punitive damages may apply
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims when the at-fault driver carries insufficient coverage
- Commercial truck accidents, which involve distinct liability rules and federal regulations
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft drivers, where insurance coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash
Each case type requires a different approach to building the claim. We assess the specific facts, identify all available insurance coverage, and pursue the full range of economic and non-economic damages your situation may support.
Start with a Free Consultation
You don’t need to have all the answers before you call us. Our free consultation is a conversation about what happened, what your injuries look like, and what your options are. We can tell you honestly how we view your claim and how we’d approach it. Because we work on contingency, there are no upfront legal fees. Call Kelley & Canterbury at (888) 639-4817 or reach us through our contact form to schedule your free consultation.
How Alaska Car Accident Law Works
Alaska is a fault state for auto insurance. That means an injured driver pursues compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer, their own insurer under applicable coverage, or through the courts. Alaska’s minimum liability requirements are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage isn’t mandatory, but given Alaska’s roads and distances, it’s worth carrying.
Alaska follows a pure comparative fault rule. Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, but partial fault doesn’t eliminate your right to recover. If you were 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can still recover $80,000. Insurance adjusters know this, and they routinely try to assign a higher fault percentage to injured parties to reduce what they pay. Having an attorney who understands how that tactic works can make a meaningful difference in how a claim is presented and evaluated.
Damages Available in Alaska Car Accident Cases
Recoverable damages fall into two categories. Economic damages cover quantifiable losses: medical expenses, future care costs, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Alaska caps non-economic damages at $400,000 or the injured person’s life expectancy in years multiplied by $8,000, whichever is greater. For cases involving severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, the cap rises to $1,000,000 or life expectancy multiplied by $25,000. In cases involving outrageous conduct, such as acts driven by malice or reckless indifference to the safety of others, punitive damages may also be available.
Alaska’s Filing Deadline for Car Accident Claims
Under AS 09.10.070(a), injured Alaskans generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Wrongful death claims carry the same two-year window, measured from the date of death under AS 09.55.580.
Negotiating with an insurance company doesn’t pause that clock. Only filing a lawsuit or another recognized legal step stops it. Two exceptions worth knowing: the discovery rule may extend the deadline when an injury wasn’t reasonably apparent at the time of the accident, and AS 09.10.140 tolls the statute for injured minors. Missing the deadline can mean losing the right to recover, regardless of how clear the other driver’s fault may be. Early action can help protect your options.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Alaska
The steps you take immediately after a crash affect both your physical recovery and the strength of your legal claim. Here’s what we advise:
- Stay at the scene until law enforcement authorizes you to leave, unless your injuries require immediate transport
- Call 911 to bring police and emergency medical personnel to the scene
- Collect information from the other driver: contact details, insurance information, driver’s license number, and license plate; get witness names and numbers as well
- Document everything with photos and video of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries
- Seek medical evaluation promptly, even if you feel fine; traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding often don’t produce immediate symptoms
- Notify your insurer of the accident, but don’t give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
- Don’t admit fault at the scene; let the investigation determine liability from the evidence
- Track everything: medical treatment, bills, missed work, and how your injuries affect daily life; this documentation supports the value of your claim
We’ve put together a free post-accident checklist you can download at kelleyandcanterbury.com/checklist/. If you have questions about what to do after an accident anywhere in Alaska, call us at (888) 639-4817.
Standing Strong for Alaska’s Injured
Why Clients Choose Us
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Boutique Firm, Big Results
We offer the personalized attention of a boutique firm with the ability to secure the compensation you deserve for injuries of all types.
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Local Knowledge, National Recognition
Rooted in Anchorage, we’ve built a legacy of excellence, trusted locally and by national firms for co-counsel and representation.
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Peace of Mind After Personal Injury
We handle the legal work so you can focus on healing. From insurance claims to court representation, we’re with you every step of the way.
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Anchorage’s Trusted Advocates Since 1975For nearly 50 years, we’ve helped Alaskans recover after devastating accidents, holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.