Winter driving in Alaska is part of everyday life. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can turn even familiar roads into dangerous conditions. If you are involved in a car accident on an icy road, what you do next can affect your health, your finances, and any insurance or injury claim. Taking the right steps can help protect you during a stressful time. Keep reading to learn more.
Check for Injuries and Call 911
Start by taking a breath and checking yourself and your passengers. Call 911 for medical assistance if anyone is injured, regardless of how minor the injuries may seem.
Even if you feel alright, it’s smart to get evaluated. Adrenaline can mask pain, and injuries like concussions, whiplash, and back strains may show up hours or even days later.
If the vehicles are in a dangerous spot and it’s safe to move them, try to get out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers have a better chance of seeing you.
Be Careful on the Ice
Driving on icy roads is dangerous. A crash scene involving ice is also risky—not only can people slip, but cars can spin, and other drivers might not be able to stop in time.
If it’s not safe to stand outside, stay in your vehicle with your seat belt on until help arrives. If you need to get out, move slowly, watch your footing, and try to find a safer location than the roadway. If you have emergency cones, flares, or even a bright flashlight, use them to increase your visibility.
Call the Police and Get a Report
Even if the crash seems minor, call the police. An official accident report often becomes the backbone of an insurance claim.
When you talk to the officer, keep it simple: explain what you saw, what you did, and what happened. Avoid guessing, speculating, or apologizing. On icy roads, determining fault can be complicated, and offhand comments can be misinterpreted later.
Document the Accident Scene
If you’re physically able and it’s safe, gather evidence before the scene changes. A few minutes of photos can save a lot of headaches later.
Take pictures or videos of:
- Damage to all vehicles
- The road surface (ice, packed snow, slush, glare ice)
- The general area (intersections, curves, hills)
- Tire marks
- Signs, signals, and lane markings
- Weather and visibility conditions
If anyone witnessed the incident, ask for their name and contact information. Witnesses can be especially helpful when drivers disagree about speed, following distance, or who lost control first.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
You’ll also want to exchange basic details with the other driver, including:
- Name and contact information
- Driver’s license information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, and license plate
Try to keep the interaction calm and brief. Don’t argue about who caused the crash. Just focus on gathering the necessary information.
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
If you didn’t go to the ER from the scene, schedule a medical visit as soon as you can. That’s not just about paperwork — it’s about catching injuries early and starting treatment before they get worse.
Medical records also help connect your injuries to the crash. If you wait too long, insurers may claim you weren’t really hurt or that something else caused the pain.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company and report the collision promptly. Stick to the facts. If the insurer asks for a recorded statement and you’re unsure what to say, it’s okay to take a moment to understand your injuries and the full situation before proceeding.
Be cautious about accepting an initial settlement offer. Once you accept an offer, you may be giving up the ability to seek more compensation later — even if new symptoms appear or your treatment ends up costing more than expected.
Contact Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With an Anchorage Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in an icy-road crash in Anchorage or elsewhere in Alaska, you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers can review what happened and explain your options. For more information, contact our experienced Anchorage car accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
For more information, please contact Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We have two locations in Alaska, including Anchorage and Eagle River.
Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers – Anchorage
2525 Gambell St #410,
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 290-8980
Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers – Eagle River
13135 Old Glenn Hwy, Suite 101
Eagle River, AK 99577
(907) 802-4097
