1. Kelley & Canterbury
Practice Focus: Personal injury law representing individuals and families injured by negligent actions, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, tourist injuries, and premises liability claims throughout Alaska.
Case Types Handled: Car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, premises liability, catastrophic injury cases, wrongful death claims, and injuries sustained by tourists visiting Alaska.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation in Alaska state courts, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, property damage claims, and wrongful death claims. The firm handles insurance communications to protect clients from accepting inadequate settlements.
Background: Kelley & Canterbury is a family-owned law firm that has served injured Alaskans since 1975, providing nearly 50 years of continuous service. The firm has handled cases before the Alaska Supreme Court and has influenced Alaska case law through significant decisions including USAA v. Pruitt ex. Rel. Pruitt (38 P.3d 528, AK 2001). Every case is handled by two experienced attorneys working together, ensuring each client receives the combined perspective of two legal minds. The firm maintains an office with comfort accommodations including therapy dogs named Bean, Bonnie, and Clyde.
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Contact: https://www.kelleyandcanterbury.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. The firm guides clients through the entire legal process while they focus on recovery.
2. Power & Power Law
Practice Focus: Personal injury litigation exclusively representing individuals hurt by negligent or reckless conduct, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other personal injury claims throughout Alaska.
Case Types Handled: Car accidents, automobile collisions, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, and catastrophic injury cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, demand letter preparation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical bill negotiation to reduce amounts owed, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, and property damage recovery.
Background: Power & Power Law is led by Whitney Power Wilson and Michele Power, a mother-daughter legal team with over 45 years of combined legal experience. The firm dedicates 100% of its practice to representing individuals hurt by negligent or reckless conduct. Attorney Michele Power has been recognized for her professionalism, commitment, and ability to thoroughly explain legal processes and potential outcomes to clients. The firm focuses on results-oriented representation and works to maximize financial recovery for each client.
Location: 10950 O’Malley Centre Dr., Suite C, Anchorage, AK
Contact: (907) 222-9990 | https://akpowerlaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultations. Contingency fee arrangement with no fee unless the firm wins.
3. Law Office of Jason Skala, LLC
Practice Focus: Personal injury law with emphasis on car accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents, oil rig accidents, and catastrophic injury claims serving Anchorage, Utqiagvik, Barrow, and Sitka, Alaska.
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian collisions, wrongful death cases, slip and fall injuries, oil rig accidents, premises liability, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and catastrophic injury claims.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation in Alaska courts, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense documentation, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, and wrongful death claims with coordination of expert witnesses.
Background: Attorney Jason Skala was admitted to the Alaska Bar Association in 2001 and has over 20 years of experience representing injury victims. He comes from a family of physicians, giving him familiarity with medical language and the inner workings of healthcare practices. He has built long-standing relationships with physicians in Anchorage, Utqiagvik, and Barrow. The firm has recovered more than $40 million in damages for clients. Notable case results include: Estate of Peter Horace Wright v. Ryder Smith (2024) with a $2,000,000 verdict for wrongful death; A.D. v. Wassillie (2023) with a $1.617 million verdict (settled for $2.158 million) for a motor vehicle/pedestrian accident; and Boyda v. Lakey (2020) with a $912,500 settlement for a motor vehicle collision.
Location: Anchorage and Sitka, Alaska
Contact: https://www.907attorney.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee basis with no payment unless there is a recovery.
4. Barber & Associates, LLC
Practice Focus: Personal injury law representing individuals against corporations and insurance companies in car accident cases, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, and traumatic brain injury claims throughout Alaska.
Case Types Handled: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle collisions, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog attacks, traumatic brain injuries, premises liability, and catastrophic injury cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, uninsured motorist claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Barber & Associates is an Alaska law firm founded by Adam Barber that represents individuals against corporations and insurance companies. Attorney Barber is known for accepting cases that other attorneys decline due to challenging circumstances or time constraints. The firm has achieved significant results including settlements for brain injuries from car rental company collisions, wrongful death cases involving hit and run drivers, arm fractures and wounds from dog attacks, and brain injuries with scarring from automobile collisions. The firm is recognized for providing personalized attention and treating clients as part of the family during difficult times.
Location: Anchorage, AK
Contact: https://alaskainjury.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. The firm works to help clients recover compensation even in difficult circumstances.
5. Libbey Law Offices, LLC
Practice Focus: Personal injury law representing individuals in car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other accidents caused by negligence, serving Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla, and clients statewide across Alaska.
Case Types Handled: Car accidents, automobile crashes, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, wrongful death claims, and select appellate matters involving personal injury law.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation in Alaska courts, trial representation, appellate advocacy in limited matters, settlement negotiations, medical expense documentation, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, and property damage claims.
Background: Libbey Law Offices is a two-attorney firm with more than 40 years of combined experience helping injured people pursue compensation. The firm has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of accident victims throughout Alaska. The attorneys handle select personal injury cases, providing each case with a high degree of care and professionalism. Managing Attorney Colleen Libbey is known for patience and professional attitude in guiding clients through lengthy legal processes.
Location: Anchorage, AK (also serving Palmer and Wasilla)
Contact: https://libbeylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. The firm advises clients on how statutes of limitations and other legal requirements may affect their cases.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Alaska
Alaska is an at-fault state for car accident liability, meaning that the driver determined to be responsible for causing an accident is also financially responsible for resulting injuries and damages. This differs from no-fault states where injured parties must first seek compensation from their own insurance regardless of fault. In Alaska, accident victims may file a claim directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, file a claim with their own insurer, or pursue a civil lawsuit against the responsible party.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Alaska, including car accident cases, is two years from the date of injury under Alaska Statute § 9.10.070(a). If you fail to file a lawsuit within this two-year window, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death under Alaska Statute § 9.55.580(a). Exceptions may apply in cases involving minors, mentally disabled persons, or when injuries were not immediately discoverable.
Alaska follows a pure comparative fault rule under Alaska Statute § 9.17.060. This means that an injured party can recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident, with their recovery reduced by their percentage of fault. Unlike modified comparative negligence states, Alaska allows recovery even if the injured party is more than 50% at fault. For example, if you are found 70% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can still recover $30,000 (30% of damages). However, Alaska has eliminated joint and several liability, meaning each defendant is only responsible for their proportionate share of fault under Alaska Statute § 9.17.080.
Minimum auto insurance requirements under Alaska Statute § 28.22.101 include bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, plus property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per accident. Alaska requires uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which protects drivers injured by motorists who lack adequate insurance.
Alaska has a “no pay, no play” law under Alaska Statute § 9.65.320 that bars uninsured drivers from recovering non-economic damages (pain and suffering) even if another driver caused the accident. This penalty does not apply if the at-fault driver was intoxicated, acted intentionally, recklessly, or with gross negligence.
Alaska caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in personal injury cases. For injuries not involving permanent disability or severe disfigurement, the cap is the greater of $400,000 or the injured party’s life expectancy multiplied by $8,000. For injuries resulting in permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, the cap is the greater of $1,000,000 or the injured party’s life expectancy multiplied by $25,000 under Alaska Statute § 9.17.010(a). These caps do not apply to economic damages such as medical bills or lost income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Alaska’s pure comparative fault system affect my recovery if I was partially at fault for the car accident?
Under Alaska’s pure comparative fault rule (Alaska Stat. § 9.17.060), you can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault for the accident, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 60% at fault and the other driver 40% at fault, and your total damages are $100,000, you can still recover $40,000 (representing the other driver’s 40% share of fault). Unlike many states that bar recovery if you are more than 50% at fault, Alaska allows recovery up to 99% fault. However, Alaska has eliminated joint and several liability, so each defendant only pays their proportionate share.
What are Alaska’s damage caps, and how might they limit my car accident recovery?
Alaska limits non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life) in personal injury cases. For injuries without permanent disability or severe disfigurement, the cap is the greater of $400,000 or your life expectancy in years multiplied by $8,000. For injuries involving permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, the cap increases to the greater of $1,000,000 or life expectancy multiplied by $25,000. These caps do not apply to economic damages including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future medical care costs. Punitive damages are also subject to separate limitations.
What happens if the other driver in my accident does not have insurance or has insufficient coverage?
Alaska requires drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If you are injured by an uninsured driver, you can file a UM claim with your own insurance company up to your policy limits. If the at-fault driver has insurance but their coverage is insufficient to cover your damages, you can make an underinsured motorist claim for the difference between their coverage and your losses, up to your UIM policy limits. Additionally, Alaska’s “no pay, no play” law prevents uninsured drivers from recovering non-economic damages, so maintaining valid insurance is important for your own protection.
How do I file a car accident lawsuit in Anchorage, and what court will hear my case?
Car accident lawsuits in Anchorage are filed in the Anchorage Superior Court, Third Judicial District, located in downtown Anchorage. You must file within the two-year statute of limitations. The complaint must be served on the defendant according to Alaska court rules. After filing, the case proceeds through discovery (exchange of documents, interrogatories, depositions), potentially mediation or settlement conferences, and if not resolved, trial. Alaska courts use comparative fault principles, so the jury will determine each party’s percentage of responsibility and calculate damages accordingly. Many cases resolve through negotiation or mediation before reaching trial.
What special considerations apply to winter driving accidents and black ice collisions in Alaska?
Winter driving accidents involving black ice, snow, and hazardous road conditions are common in Alaska and present unique legal issues. While poor road conditions may contribute to accidents, drivers are expected to adjust their speed and driving for conditions. Comparative fault analysis may examine whether a driver was traveling too fast for conditions. In some cases, claims may be pursued against municipalities or the Alaska Department of Transportation for failure to properly maintain roads or provide adequate warnings about hazardous conditions. However, government entities have limited liability and specific notice requirements apply. Documentation of road conditions, weather reports, and maintenance records becomes important evidence in these cases.