Motorcycle Accident Attorney Anchorage, Alaska

Motorcycle Accidents in Alaska

Riding a motorcycle in traffic puts you at risk, no matter how attentive and cautious you are. Most motorcyclists take every possible precaution to avoid becoming an accident victim. Unfortunately, no matter what precautions you take, you can't control other people on the road.

Regardless of how your accident happened, if you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else's careless actions, you may be entitled to compensation. Protect your rights by consulting an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn't your fault, contact attorney Eric Derleth right away. With 30 years of experience in personal injury law, Eric is an effective advocate both in settlement negotiations and at trial—that’s why he’s known as the Trial Guy. With Eric pursuing your claim, you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. From his office in Soldotna, he serves clients throughout Alaska, including Anchorage, Palmer/Wasilla, Juneau, and the Kenai Peninsula.

Steps to Follow After a Motorcycle Accident

If you are involved in a motorcycle collision, your first priority must be to get to safety. Then, you should do the following:

• Call 911 immediately following a motorcycle accident. Both law enforcement and medical personnel should be present at the scene to document the accident and care for any injuries sustained in the accident.
• If you have sustained any injuries, be sure to follow up with a medical professional to understand the full extent of your injury.
• Track any expenses you incur as a result of the accident. This includes any medical appointments or costs related to fixing your motorcycle.
• Contact a motorcycle accident attorney. Choosing the right lawyer can make all the difference in the compensation you receive for the accident.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Eighty percent of all motorcycle accidents result in some type of injury—and nearly half of all motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles happen at intersections. Motorcycle accidents have a higher injury rate than automobile accidents, partly because motorcyclists don’t have seatbelts, airbags, or the protective structure of an automobile to keep them safe.

Motorcycle accidents may happen when:

• A vehicle pulls out in front of a motorcycle
• A motorcycle has come to a stop and is hit from behind by a vehicle
• A vehicle turns in front of an oncoming motorcycle
• A vehicle cuts a corner while negotiating a bend and hits a motorcycle or pushes it off the road

Two common injuries associated with motorcycle accidents are:

• Road rash: Friction abrasions to the skin caused by sliding across the road or pavement in a motorcycle accident. Road rash injuries can lead to permanent skin damage as well as serious infections.
• Head injuries: Alaska does not require persons over the age of eighteen to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle. Head injuries resulting from an accident without a helmet can result in traumatic brain injury, which may be permanent.

If you are injured and your motorcycle damaged as a result of someone else’s careless or reckless driving, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can ensure you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Your Claim

Like other types of personal injury claims, motorcycle accident claims depend on liability. In Alaska, you need not prove that the other person was entirely at fault for the accident. In order to pursue compensation for a car accident in Alaska, you must show the following:

• Another person was partially at fault for the accident
• The accident caused your injuries
• Your injuries led to significant economic or non-economic damages

Under Alaska's rule of comparative fault, you can still recover compensation for your damages if you are partially liable for the accident. However, your total recovery amount will be reduced by your at-fault percentage. The process of determining liability can be complex, and insurance companies will often do everything they can to devalue or deny your claim.

Regardless of what they say or how they act, the other driver’s insurance company is not on your side. You do not have to provide a statement to anyone other than your own insurer and the police at the scene. To protect your rights, work with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney whose job it is to represent your interests.

How to Negotiate with Insurance Companies after an Accident

Remember that insurance companies’ goal is to pay out as little in claims as possible. They may try to convince you you don’t need an attorney, in part because they know having an attorney is likely to increase the amount paid on your claim. Insurance companies also know that if they can speak with you directly, you may inadvertently say something that will damage your claim.

The best way to negotiate with an insurance company after a motorcycle accident is to let your attorney do the talking. An experienced injury attorney is familiar with insurers’ tactics to reduce or deny claims, and can negotiate a much more favorable settlement than you could likely achieve on your own.

Work with an Experienced Alaska Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Alaska, having the right attorney can make a big difference to the outcome of your injury claim. Attorney Eric Derleth has over 25 years of experience successfully handling motorcycle accident claims in Anchorage, Mat-Su, Juneau, and throughout the Kenai Peninsula and the state.

As with all injury cases, you have only a limited amount of time to file a claim. Once the statute of limitations has passed, your chance to make a claim is gone forever, no matter how severe your injury. To protect yourself and learn more about Alaska motorcycle accidents and how an attorney can help you, contact the Trial Guy for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.