Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Anchorage

Anchorage Riders Deserve an Attorney Who Knows How Alaska Claims Work

A motorcycle accident changes everything fast. One moment you’re on the road; the next you’re dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and an insurance process designed to minimize what you recover. At Kelley & Canterbury, we’ve advocated for injured Alaskans since 1975, and we bring that same commitment to every motorcycle accident claim we handle. Both Michaela and Chris work each case personally. You won’t be handed off to a paralegal or a junior associate after the first call.

The insurance process after a motorcycle crash can feel like a maze. We guide you through each step, keep you informed of your options, and listen to what you actually need. Your focus should be on recovery. We handle the process.

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Anchorage, call us at (888) 639-4817 to talk through your options with an attorney who works your case personally.

A Dangerous Ride

It’s understandable why people ride. Beyond the freedom of the open road, motorcycles offer real cost savings on fuel. Most motorcyclists are careful, skilled riders, especially those who have completed a safety course. But motorcycles are less stable and far less visible than other vehicles, and they offer none of the protection of an enclosed car.

That vulnerability shows up in the data. Federal government estimates show that per mile traveled, the number of deaths on motorcycles is nearly 28 times higher than in car accidents. Alaska amplifies those risks further. Gravel left on road surfaces after winter can destabilize a motorcycle without warning. Moose, caribou, and other wildlife enter roadways unpredictably. Weather in Anchorage can shift from clear skies to rain and reduced visibility with little time to react. These conditions demand more from riders, and more from the attorneys who represent them when something goes wrong.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents & How to Avoid Them

The most common collision pattern is a driver failing to yield or turning left across an approaching rider’s path. A motorcycle’s smaller profile makes it harder for an inattentive driver to judge speed and distance, and distracted driving is both prohibited under Alaska law and a documented cause of crashes statewide. A relaxing ride on one of Anchorage’s warmer days can end with severe injuries through no fault of the rider. Knowing the common causes helps, but it doesn’t eliminate the risk that another driver’s negligence puts you in danger.

Cause: A car turns in front of you at an intersection

How to avoid it: Pay attention to what’s happening around you. They may not see you coming, but you should always make sure that you see them. In any situation, slow down, cover your brakes, and prepare to take evasive action. Should you need to take evasive action, identify your routes of escape.

Cause: You hit gravel in a blind corner

How to avoid it: Don’t hit it in the first place by riding at a pace that gives you enough reaction time to avoid unexpected objects. “Slow in, fast out” is an effective rule to remember.

Cause: You enter a corner too fast

How to avoid it: Only ride as fast as you can see. Use visual cues like telephone poles and signs to judge where a road is going, even if the road is disappearing behind a blind crest.

Cause: A car changes lanes into you

How to avoid it: Be aware of where blind spots lie and avoid them as much as possible. If you can see a driver’s eyes in their mirrors, they can see you too.

Cause: A car hits you from behind

How to avoid it: If a single car is stopped at a multi-lane stoplight with more cars approaching quickly behind you, wave nicely and pull in front of the car ahead of you to avoid impact. You could also pull between a line of cars. In other situations, stop to the side rather than the center of a lane and rapidly flash your brake light so approaching drivers can see you.

Motorcycle Safety Gear in Alaska

Wearing the right clothing and safety gear reduces your risk of death or serious injury if you go down.

Under Alaska Statute 28.35.245, licensed adult riders age 18 and older aren’t legally required to wear a helmet. Riders and passengers under 18, and those operating on instructional permits, are required to wear one. That said, a DOT-certified helmet is one of the most effective protections available. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helmets are about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injury. If you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of your accident, insurers may attempt to use that to reduce your claim by arguing your injuries were worsened by your gear choice. Our job is to redirect that focus to what the at-fault driver did wrong.

Beyond a certified helmet, wear the right shoes, gloves, and clothing. The fabric should be thick and protective. It may be all that stands between you and the pavement in a crash.

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What Injured Anchorage Riders Can Recover

Motorcycle accidents produce some of the most serious injuries in personal injury law: traumatic brain injury, road rash requiring skin grafting, spinal damage, and fractures that limit long-term function. Alaska law allows injured riders to pursue compensation across several categories.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses tied to your accident. These include:

Emergency transport, surgery, hospitalization, and physical therapy
Future medical treatment your injuries require
Lost wages during recovery
Reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit what you can do professionally
Property damage for your motorcycle, riding gear, and other equipment

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address what the accident costs you beyond the bills: pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of activities you could do before the crash.

How Alaska’s Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Claim

Alaska follows pure comparative fault under AS 09.17.060. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but no claim is barred regardless of how fault is divided. A rider found 30 percent at fault can still recover 70 percent of their damages. Insurance adjusters routinely try to inflate a rider’s share of fault to reduce what they pay. We challenge those arguments with evidence.

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Alaska is two years from the date of the accident under AS 09.10.070. Missing that deadline eliminates your right to pursue a claim entirely.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Anchorage

You may have worn the right gear and followed every best practice for motorcycle safety. Accidents still happen. When they do, what you do next matters. Take the following steps:

Make sure a police report is filed by the proper authorities.
See a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Your health is the first priority, especially if your injuries are severe or life-threatening.
Document everything. Take photos and save receipts for any medical expenses or out-of-pocket costs.
Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before speaking with counsel. Recorded statements can lock in wording that’s difficult to correct later. Cooperate fully with your own insurer, but protect your claim first.
Preserve all physical evidence. Don’t repair or dispose of your damaged motorcycle, riding gear, or clothing until an attorney has documented everything.
Contact an experienced Anchorage motorcycle accident attorney. We can help with documentation and reporting.

Talk to an Anchorage Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Kelley & Canterbury handles motorcycle accident claims on a contingency basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We’ve represented injured Alaskans since 1975, taken cases to the Alaska Supreme Court, and been brought in by national firms for co-counsel and representation. We carry a Superb Avvo rating, BBB accreditation, and 5-star Google reviews. Both Michaela and Chris work your case from the first call through resolution.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Anchorage, don’t wait. Contact us today to talk through your options and take the first step toward seeking fair compensation.

Why Motorcycle Accident Claims Require a Different Approach

A motorcycle accident claim isn’t simply a car accident claim with a different vehicle involved. Insurers bring different assumptions, different bias, and different tactics to these cases. Adjusters look for any reason to blame the rider, minimize injuries, or argue that motorcycling is inherently risky. That framing is designed to shift focus away from what the at-fault driver actually did. Countering it requires an attorney who understands how these arguments are constructed and how to dismantle them with evidence.

Insurance bias against riders is real and well-documented. Lifestyle assumptions, gear choices, and lane positioning are all used to inflate a rider’s perceived share of fault under Alaska’s pure comparative fault system. Every percentage point added to a rider’s fault is a percentage point subtracted from their recovery. The stakes of these arguments are concrete.

Why Kelley & Canterbury for Your Motorcycle Accident Case

We’ve handled personal injury cases in Anchorage and across Alaska since 1975. That history means we’ve taken cases to the Alaska Supreme Court, contributed to shaping Alaska case law, and been sought out by national firms for co-counsel and representation on complex matters. Motorcycle accident claims require credible pushback in negotiation and, when necessary, in court. Our track record supports that.

Michaela and Chris each bring over 30 years of individual legal experience and work every case together. Clients aren’t handed off after the intake call. The attorneys who evaluate your case are the attorneys who see it through. Our office also has a reputation for being approachable during a difficult process. If you’ve heard about Bean, Bonnie, and Clyde, our office dogs, that’s intentional. Serious legal work doesn’t have to feel clinical.

Call (888) 639-4817 to speak directly with our team about your motorcycle accident claim.

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Committed to Justice, Focused on You We Put Your Needs First in Every Step of The Legal Process

At Kelley & Canterbury LLC, we’re committed to securing justice for you while prioritizing your recovery. Trust us to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us focus on your case.

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Hear From Those We've Helped

Testimonials that Speak to Our Commitment and Compassion

At Kelley & Canterbury, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

"I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for an attorney who will fight for them!"
Chris Canterbury was here for me and my family when we needed him the most. He is so good at what he does and I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for an attorney who will fight for them! His office staff is so friendly and always available to answer any questions along the way.

K.P.
"An excellent team bar none!"
Michaela Canterbury exceeded all my expectations with her knowledge and professional work ethics. Over 10 firms had turned my case down and I was ready to give up. Mrs. Canterbury was able to help me process memories and emotions that might have been overlooked and always had a lighthearted approach with good humor that lifted my spirit. An excellent team bar none!

C.O.
"Respectful, kindhearted, and always put me as the client first!"
Highly recommend! Chris and the entire Kelley and Canterbury team where awesome! Can’t thank them enough! They were respectful, kindhearted, and always put me as the client first! They walked me through every step of my case and made sure I was aware of everything going on with the case. Chris was extremely knowledgeable and knew how to get me taken care of. Thank you Kelley and Canterbury!

B.T.
"I will definitely be using them for all my future legal needs."
They really make you feel like you’re at home and they make sure they will get the most they can for you and your family no matter what.

A.E.
"Kelley and Canterbury absolutely went above and beyond for me."
Being in their office always felt like being with family which made asking my uneducated questions so much easier for me.

J.A.
"I am forever grateful for their hard work."
Michaela and Chris are truly exceptional attorneys and people in general. They are particular about taking care with each clients needs and have shown compassion throughout my experience.

V.J.
"Michaela advocated for me as if I were a member of her family."
Michaela made sure I understood what to expect for the long process ahead of us but even more important, she was empathetic to what I was going through post-accident.

A.K.
"They made me feel like family."
Kelley and Canterbury are more than amazing. They made me feel like family, they cared about the pain my family and I experienced after our accident, emotionally and physically. The staff in the office are incredibly hard working, positive and make you feel part of the team. We will choose Kelley and Canterbury every time!

H.O.

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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.
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.
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.
Anchorage’s Trusted Advocates Since 1975
For nearly 50 years, we’ve helped Alaskans recover after devastating accidents, holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.