Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me - Farnsworth & Vance

Whether you are driving through the North Star neighborhood in Anchorage or traveling throughout the Gulf Coast Region, there is a risk of truck accidents in numerous locations. Negligence and a failure to account for weather and road conditions throughout the area can lead to devastating collisions and serious injuries. When you have been the victim of a truck crash, it is essential to hire our Anchorage, AK truck accident lawyer near me law firm in Anchorage, Alaska.

With the help of Farnsworth & Vance, you can pursue action against the driver or other party who caused you injuries. Our Alaska personal injury lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of a truck accident claim and simplify the process to reduce your stress and secure results. Our lawyers have extensive experience determining the source of liability and holding the right party accountable.

The Importance of Choosing Farnsworth & Vance to Resolve Your Case

Large, commercial trucks tower above other vehicles on the road and are essential for commerce. However, they are not always compatible with the weather and road conditions in Alaska. Their large size, weight, and inability to quickly maneuver or stop are why semi-truck accidents are often fatal in Alaska. These factors may cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle and injure others.

Resolving these cases can be complicated since so many factors are at play, and there are multiple layers of liability to sort through. As such, choosing Farnsworth & Vance is in your best interest for navigating the aftermath of a truck accident. Our team has a proven track record of success, cutting to the heart of the case and demanding restitution on your behalf. We provide several concierge services, extensive knowledge, insight into insurance companies, and more.

Dangerous Roads Can Contribute to Accidents in Alaska

Given the vast and varied terrain of the Gulf Coast Region, road conditions can vary widely across the area. Weather conditions can further exacerbate the state of these roads and increase the existing hazards these roads can pose. While the region is large, there are some particularly dangerous roads in Alaska that can elevate the chance of a truck accident. These include:

Seward Highway: This long highway stretching from Anchorage to Seward is a narrow, winding road that can make it difficult for tractor-trailer trucks to maneuver and avoid hazards. Steep drop-offs, tourist traffic, and limited visibility can worsen driving conditions and increase the risk of accidents.
Sterling Highway: Located in Southcentral Alaska, this highway often has elevated levels of traffic that can result in road congestion and make it difficult to travel. The region is also prone to wildfires, but does not have many options for escape when dangers arise.
Glenn Highway: This highway between Anchorage and Glennallen poses a particular set of dangers to big rig drivers. There are many steep inclines and declines on this mountainous stretch of road. Given the weight and size of these trucks, it can be difficult to maneuver or brake to avoid hazards. This area is also prone to inclement weather in the winter, as well as avalanches and rockslides throughout the year.
Parks Highway: This highway is subject to severe weather conditions that can threaten the safety of trucks and other vehicles. High winds are a particular danger for any semi-truck driving this stretch of road, given their high center of gravity. Wild animals and drastic weather conditions can also contribute to an increased number of accidents in this region.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Alaska

The trucking industry is highly regulated in an effort to ensure safety and prevent accidents. However, this does not stop collisions from occurring. There are generally a number of factors that can contribute to accidents. Driving errors, poor training, and defective equipment can all lead to truck accidents. Road conditions and alcohol or drug impairment can also affect driver safety.

Another significant contributing factor in truck accidents can be unrealistic expectations placed on drivers by trucking companies. If trucking companies do not enforce adherence to regulations or overschedule their drivers, they put their drivers and other motorists at risk. This often contributes to fatigue, which may lead drivers to fall asleep at the wheel.

Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Collisions

The National Safety Council reported 5,837 fatalities and 120,200 injuries involving large trucks in their most recent year of data. As these numbers highlight, these accidents often have serious ramifications due to the size and weight differences between trucks and passenger vehicles. Smaller vehicles often take the brunt of the impact, while truck drivers are more insulated from harm. Some common injuries that may arise from these collisions may include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Neck and spine injuries
Chest and rib injuries
Abdominal and internal injuries
Nerve and soft tissue damage
Broken bones
Whiplash
Burns
Catastrophic injuries
Death

Given the potential severity of these collisions, it is essential to receive medical care immediately. If you have sustained brain or internal injuries, a quick response time is particularly important. Be sure to thoroughly follow all medical directions as you progress throughout the healing process, and keep all records and bills related to your care.

Beware of Insurance Companies and Avoid These Mistakes

It is critical to avoid speaking with insurance after a crash. Insurance companies know this is a vulnerable time, and they take advantage of it by trying to pay you as little as possible. They may use tactics such as intentionally delaying your claim, providing lowball offers, trying to get you to close your case before you know the extent of your losses, or using a technicality to deny your claim altogether. To minimize the chances of this happening, avoid the following mistakes:

Refusing medical treatment or directions from doctors once you are released from care
Failing to file a police report or obtain a copy of the completed document
Failing to gather evidence such as photos/videos, statements, records, bills, pay stubs, and more
Failing to exchange information with the truck driver
Failing to hire truck accident attorneys near you to represent you throughout your case
Sharing details about your accident with family, friends, or publicly on social media

These mistakes can hand insurance companies exactly what they need to not pay you what you deserve. It is better to be extra cautious and gather an abundance of evidence than leave anything to chance. Hiring a lawyer also ensures that you are protected and have less of a chance of hurting your claim through a misstep. They also know how to communicate with insurance companies to get you favorable results.

The Complexities of Liability in Truck Accident Claims

When truck accidents occur, it can be difficult to determine who is at fault for the accident. While the driver may seem like the obvious answer, liability may not always rest solely on them. Trucking companies could be held liable for violating regulations. Mechanics can also be held responsible for failing to properly service or repair trucks, and manufacturers could be at fault for defective parts. Cargo loaders can even be held liable if they overload trucks or fail to balance and secure the load properly.

It takes an experienced truck accident attorney in Anchorage, AK to investigate the accident and find the source of liability. Once they identify who is at fault, they can begin demonstrating the negligence that occurred. This includes establishing the following key components:

Duty of care: The party at fault owed you a reasonable expectation of safety.
Breach of duty: The party at fault failed in their responsibility to keep you from harm.
Causation: The party at fault caused an accident as a result of their actions and injured you.
Damages: The party at fault must pay you to compensate you for your losses.

These events are an integral part of the claim process and must be fulfilled before damages can be awarded. To increase the chances of a favorable outcome, it is important to have as much evidence as possible to satisfy each part of the negligence standard.

When Fault is Shared in a Truck Accident

More than one party can be at fault in an accident, which could potentially include you. When this happens, each party is evaluated for its contribution to the crash. Compensation can be recovered in proportion to the level of fault assigned, according to Alaska’s pure comparative fault law. There are no caps on recovery unless fault is at 100%. If you are partially at fault, your lawyer can negotiate to get you the maximum amount and reduce your liability.

Compensation is Essential After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents often result in severe injuries for motorists, which can lead to an enormous financial strain. This burden could decimate your finances and life without the resources to recover what you have lost. Damages provide the solution to this very significant problem and strive to help you get back to a place of wholeness as much as possible. When filing a claim, you are likely to be able to recover some combination of the following losses:

Medical expenses
Medical equipment and accommodations for disabilities
Cost to repair or replace your damaged vehicle and personal belongings
Lost income or earning potential
Expenses for end-of-life care, funeral, and burial costs
Pain and suffering
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety and depression
Emotional distress
Reduction in quality of life and enjoyment
Loss of companionship and/or consortium

Every case is unique, and it is important to talk with truck accident lawyers in Anchorage, AK to accurately assess what you may recover. They can also help you calculate how much your case is worth, so you know how much you need to recover in your claim. Your lawyer will negotiate a settlement or verdict that sufficiently reflects the extent of your need.

Alaska’s Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents

To recover your losses as quickly as possible, it is important to take prompt action after an accident. You should reach out to a lawyer to discuss your options and ensure that the statute of limitations has not expired. This dictates your ability to file a claim for the losses you have suffered in a truck accident. Alaska provides a window of time of two years, and the clock begins from the time the collision occurs.

Experienced Lawyers are Fearless Advocates After an Accident

To ensure you get the results you need after a truck accident, choosing a good attorney is essential. It is important to hire someone who has knowledge and experience handling truck accidents, and has a good reputation and community connections. Be sure to ask a lot of questions during your consultations and also find out how the attorney will approach your case, communicate developments, and whether or not they will go to trial if needed.

Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will get started investigating the truck accident to determine what factors contributed to the accident, who was at fault, and what evidence is available to support your case. They will tailor their approach to your circumstances, develop a strong strategy, and relentlessly negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

Retain Representation Without Financial Stress

Farnsworth & Vance help clients access the legal services they need by providing a contingency fee structure. This means that clients do not need to pay us directly. We only collect our fees from settlements and verdicts when we win your case. By using this approach, we can ensure that our clients have an advocate who has their best interests at heart. You can trust that we will be aligned with your goals throughout your case.

Contact Farnsworth & Vance to Recover Your Losses

Farnsworth & Vance are committed to helping the people of Southcentral Alaska receive maximum compensation for their cases. Our team is driven to get you a fair settlement as swiftly as possible so you can start to put your life back together after a truck accident. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about your options when you contact our team today.