Ice, Big Rigs, and Fault on Alaska’s Toughest Road Key Takeaways: When a loaded semi causes an ice-related wreck on the Dalton Highway, liability is analyzed under Alaska’s negligence principles, requiring proof of duty, breach, causation, and damages. Winter weather does not automatically excuse unreasonable driving, though statutory violations may be excused under Restatement §288A...
Truck Accidents
How Alaska Law Reaches Beyond the Driver’s Seat Key Takeaways: Yes, resource extraction companies in Alaska can be held liable for truck crashes when their operations, employment relationships, or safety failures contributed to the collision, and liability often extends beyond the driver to carriers, extraction companies, and contracting entities. Oil, mining, and logging hauls put...
Fatigue Behind the Wheel of an 18-Wheeler: Who Pays for the Harm? Key Takeaways: When a fatigued semi truck driver injures an Anchorage motorist, Alaska law allows fault to be spread across the driver, the motor carrier, and other parties whose decisions contributed to the crash. A carrier can be independently liable for negligent scheduling,...
Understanding Your Filing Window After an Anchorage Commercial Truck Crash Key Takeaways: Alaska gives truck accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under AS 09.10.070, and two years for wrongful-death claims under AS 09.55.580, measured from the date of death. Missing this deadline typically bars recovery entirely. Limited exceptions, such as the...
Semi-truck accidents are some of the most devastating and fatal incidents that occur on U.S. roads each year. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are approximately 500,000 accidents involving large trucks annually, and around 98% of these accidents result in fatalities for those in smaller vehicles. The situation is no different in Anchorage,...
Driver fatigue is an increasingly critical issue that significantly impacts road safety, especially for those operating big rigs and commercial trucks. In a vast and remote state like Alaska, where long-haul trucking is common and the roads can be treacherous, understanding the ramifications of driver fatigue on accident rates is paramount. This article explores the...